The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
In The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, you play as Paul Prospero, an occult detective who receives a disturbing letter from Ethan Carter and realizes that the boy is in grave danger. When Paul arrives in Ethan's home of Red Creek Valley, he realizes things are even worse than he imagined. Ethan has vanished in the wake of a brutal murder, which Paul comes to see might not be the only murder to investigate. Using both regular and supernatural detective skills, Paul must figure out what happened to the missing boy.
What it feels like
An enigmatic pull of secrets half-glimpsed and answers withheld defines the detective mystery experience throughout. Slow-building anticipatory fear of the terrible fate that befell Ethan Carter accumulates as clues are gathered. A grave, subdued seriousness with hints of grief and mourning colors the investigation of the murders and disappearance.
What it's about
Unraveling the mystery of Ethan Carter's disappearance and the associated murders is the definitive structural center of the experience. Playing as occult detective Paul Prospero gathering clues and investigating crimes is the core gameplay loop. The game emphasizes unease, supernatural dread, and psychological unraveling rather than jump-scares or gore.
How it plays
Solving puzzles woven into the world itself using both natural detective work and supernatural abilities is central to progress. Interaction with the environment and NPCs likely involves dialogue options as part of the detective investigation.
How it looks and sounds
The game is explicitly a first-person experience where Paul Prospero explores Red Creek Valley directly through his eyes. The game is noted for its beautiful visuals, with the Unreal Engine 4 remaster emphasizing high-fidelity environmental detail and realism. Atmospheric audio and the noted great soundtrack create an ambient soundscape supporting the mysterious mood.
How it's structured
Explicitly single-player experience with no multiplayer component. Red Creek Valley is a deliberately authored environment designed by The Astronauts, not procedurally generated. The valley functions as an explorable region, likely with some discrete spatial boundaries rather than a seamless open world.
Kindred games
Shares First-Person, Mystery, Detective, Mysterious.
Both lean into First-Person, Single-Player, Mystery, Detective.
Shares First-Person, Mystery, Detective, Mysterious.
Both lean into First-Person, Mystery, Single-Player, Mysterious.
Shares First-Person, Psychological Horror, Mystery, Handcrafted World.
Both lean into First-Person, Single-Player, Psychological Horror, Mystery.
See all games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter →
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Mystery, Mysterious, Psychological Horror. 89% positive across 4,904 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Single-Player, Mystery, Mysterious.
A lesser-known kindred — Mystery, Psychological Horror, Detective, Mysterious. 90% positive across 4,661 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Mystery, Single-Player, Psychological Horror, Detective.
A lesser-known kindred — First-Person, Psychological Horror, Mysterious, Dread. 91% positive across 4,453 Steam reviews.
Both lean into First-Person, Psychological Horror, Mysterious, Single-Player.