Vanishing of Ethan Carter - Solving the Mystery at Red Creek Valley
Developer The Astronauts is trying to deliver an immersive story unlike anything else currently out there, and it's a noble goal. In an age when most games tend to hold the hands of the protagonist to the point where it is an hour before you truly are "in control," Ethan Carter gives you the reigns almost immediately and doesn't restrict you once in the world either. If you see it in the distance, you can get there, and you can get there now. To see a bit of how this open world affects the gameplay, you can peep the gameplay trailer below, complete with developer commentary.
Vanishing puts you in control of Detective Paul Prospero, who receives a message from Ethan Carter, and sensing trouble, goes to investigate the boy's disappearance. The game will have some supernatural overtones but won't be an all out horror title. Here is a bit of what founder Adrian Chmielarz had to say. (via Playstation.blog )
"As I hope you can see from this short description, we’re trying to mix pulp and horror into one cohesive experience. And if that makes you suspect we’re making this game inspired by the weird fiction stories and other tales of the macabre from the early 20th century, then you’re on the right track. Writers like Algernon Blackwood, Stefan Grabinski, and, of course, the CEO of Cthulhu himself, H.P. Lovecraft have heavily influenced every layer of our narrative and world design.
"The game is played through first-person perspective whereby you explore and interact with the world in order to discover the truth behind Ethan’s disappearance. You conduct the investigation on your own terms and at your own pace. Although we did put a few scary bits in the game, there is no need for sedatives. It’s less about pure terror and more about, as our writers put it, 'clammy unease.'"
All in all, it sounds like a refreshing change from the shooter and action heavy games coming out over the next few months. Vanishing will release for the PC on September 25th and will be coming to consoles via the PS4 sometime next year.