ESPER (2018)

Developer: Coatsink
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Casual, Indie
Rating: 4.2 of 5, 20 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 1.5 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this Watch the trailer

or watch the trailer on YouTube

How it feels

A quiet, focused puzzle game where you move objects with your mind at your own pace, guided by a calm voiceover.

calmmethodicalatmosphericintimatethoughtfulpressure-freespoken-narrative

What players say

Players describe ESPER as a very short, seated VR puzzle game heavily inspired by Portal and The Stanley Parable. The puzzles are simple and the game lasts about two hours, which leaves some feeling it is overpriced. The controls are a point of disagreement, some find them fine, while others say they are frustrating and that the game fails to make good use of VR.

Screenshots

More games like this

More by Coatsink

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.