The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Review

Back in 1973 Paul Prospero, a paranormal investigator, recieves a fan letter from a 12-year old boy named Ethan Carter. In the letter, Ethan explains that he can see things that may not be there, intriguing Paul to travel to Red Creek Valley, Wisconsin to check it out for himself. When arriving at the Creek we quickly realize that Ethan is nowhere to be found. Actually nobody is to be found anywhere. Red Creek Valley, a small mining village, is after a bit of investigation a violent crime scene. By using his paranormal powers Paul can see events that has already happend through ghostly apparitions. Throughout the game you can find letters scattered around, giving insight into the small town and it’s residences.

We learn that Ethan has quite an imagination. Through the letters left behind we can read about the fantasy world Ethan has built up around his own family. Ethan’s family is quite a dysfunctional one. Besides murder, they suffer from anger issues and have difficulty getting along. One of the points of tension in the family is the Vandergriff fortune – a vast amount of wealth, and a mansion, that the family members cannot  agree upon who claims ownership. All the frustration the family suffers is taken out on Ethan.

As we progress through the story we learn that Ethan has done something horrible, although accidentally. Ethan has released a malevolent spirit called the Sleeper which is threatening to kill them all. Trying to subdue and get rid of the Sleeper, Ethans mother Missy and his uncle Chad tries to sacrifice Ethan to the Sleeper, but Ethan escapes helped by his father Dale. Dale is attacked by Chad, but is killed by Missy trying to stop him. The Sleeper has taken over Ethans brother Travis as it’s vessel, and in order to try to save his son, Dale commits suicide trying to make the Sleeper use him as a vessel instead.  This causes Travis to try to kill Ethan, but Ethans grandfather Ed kills Travis instead. Ed and Ethan now sees an opportunity to get rid of the Sleeper, by destroying it’s lair. In the process Ed ends up trapping Ethan inside the chamber while he waits outside to die. In the meantime Ethan lights a fire within the chamber. Fire, interestingly, is an ongoing theme within the game.

It is implied through the notes you find that Ethans grandfather had an accident falling asleep with a lit cigaret, starting a fire that kills his wife. Later, the family’s moonshine still is busted by the police due to the fire, creating more discourse among the family members. Back to the burning chamber, Ethan is engulfed by fire, and sees the burning silhuette of his grandfather who tells him he is sorry, and that it all is for the good of the Sleeper. He burns to death. Is this the end?

This tragic ending might fool players to think the game is over – but it is not. There is a true ending, that you get by collecting all story sequences and then interacting with a mural. By doing this we learn that the whole story, even Prospero himself, were all creations of Ethans imagination. It was his writing, his fantasy, as the boy was hiding in a room in an effort to escape the tornment of his family. His hideout is a secret room within the Vandergriff mansion where his family is staying at. We see Ethan turning up late for dinner, being taunted by his family for writing his paranormal detective story, calling him names. In their fit of taunting his mother accidentally loses grip of her lantern, lighting the whole place on fire. The rest of the family escapes out of the room, but Ethan runs into his hiding spot. Scared, Ethan escapes into his imagination, and whilst he is being choked by the smoke he is being comforted by Prospero. Outside his family is trying to put out the fire while Ethan is dying.

With this, possibly even more tragic ending to the game, it is over. The game, and the story, is not super long, but you have some hours of entertainment. The story is pretty good, with a nice twist at the end. The paranormal game mechanic is a nice touch, that makes interacting with the world more interesting. A strong point is the game’s graphics – it is absolutely stunning and well made. There is lot of nature to explore besides the small mining town. Combined with a nice soundtrack it makes for a fine walking sim.