Ether One

I went in blind, reading briefly that this game had two routes: walking sim, or puzzle game. I imagined a linear game with a fork in the path, in reality the game is way more open. You’re a Restorer, working at a company pioneering memory restoration. Your task is to enter the mind of a dementia patient and help cure them, guided by the lead doctor. It starts off in a seemingly linear way, but then opens up to 4 main areas which you are free to explore. You can travel between them (after the first area), by foot, or fast travel. Each area has puzzles scattered around that are technically optional. At any time, you can warp to “The Case”, essentially your home base, where you can review progress, re-listen to unlocked audio, review important files on your clue board, and best of all, store items you think may be important on your shelves. I loved the concept of having a safe & contained space in someone else’s mind, and the klepto in me from playing point & click games absolutely loved that I could hoard & arrange items I thought might be useful. Now, puzzles are optional, but I fully back that this game isn’t worth playing as a walking sim. Playing this without the puzzles would …

there should be a study on why most walking sims (probably all with surreal concepts) end up being overly dramatic sentimental stories about trauma, loss, grief, etc. this one was ok though, if you're into BioShock Infinite, Shutter Island and Eternal Sunshine.

Ether One is a first-person exploration and puzzle game that focuses heavily on memory, loss, and the human mind. You explore quiet, surreal environments while uncovering fragments of a story tied to mental health and identity. What I really appreciated is the atmosphere and the themes it explores. The game is slow and very introspective, inviting you to take your time, observe, and reflect rather than rush forward. The puzzles can be challenging, but they feel meaningful in the context of the story. Playing it feels calm, melancholic, and a bit heavy emotionally — a thoughtful experience that works best if you enjoy narrative-driven games that prioritize mood and meaning over action.

A brilliant game. Easy to miss things but most can be recovered without stalling. Two things that would have made it even better were a save facility and a map.

I played this originally on the PS but wanted to revisit it. It has a very poignant narrative. The puzzles though are sometime quite abstract. I wanted to complete the game and I could have "finished" without a walkthrough, but because I wanted to explore everything I needed a walkthrough - there's a whole 'optional' area that's really easy to miss. Some of the puzzles are fiendish, because its often hard to know whether an item is needed nearby, later on or not at all. But the story is interesting and heart wrenching, worth the time and there are walkthroughs available for when you get stuck.

Great game. Very touching.