The Chinese Room’s influential narrative adventure Dear Esther is now available to buy on Apple devices.
Video game publisher Sumo Digital has released The Chinese Room’s Dear Esther on iOS and iPadOS devices.
Set on a mysterious, windswept Hebridean isle, the game takes players on a thought-provoking journey that is as ambiguous as it is beautiful. Dear Esther was first released on PC in 2012 and is widely accepted to have ushered in the (ghastly named) walking simulator genre. It’s a stark, affecting experience and an important landmark in the history of video games.
Following its release, Dear Esther received recognition at the Independent Games Festival awards, the Develop Awards and the TIGA Awards. It was also nominated for five BAFTAs.
The Chinese Room followed the game with Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture before being purchased by Sumo Digital last year.
Speaking about the game’s iOS release, The Chinese Room co-founder, Dan Pinchbeck, said:
“It’s exciting to introduce a brand new generation to Dear Esther. So many people who’ve already played the game on other systems have told us they can’t wait to play it again, which is incredibly humbling. It’s gratifying to know that they’ll head back to the island one more time and that they’ll share it with a brand-new audience.”
Sumo Digital’s Gary Dunn added:
“Dear Esther is a timeless example of pushing the boundaries of video games as a storytelling medium. It’s fitting that this incredible game represents Sumo Digital continuing to push beyond what we’re known for. We look forward to The Chinese Room’s next game, Little Orpheus, coming in spring 2020.”
The mobile version of Dear Esther is available from the Apple App Store and is priced at £4.99 / €5.49 / $4.99.
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