Return of the Obra Dinn vs The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
Return of the Obra Dinn wins 9 of 14 head-to-head metrics. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is $15.96 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | Return of the Obra Dinn | The Vanishing of Ethan Carter |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Maybe × Maybe | 66 | 67 |
| Quality | 95 | 85 |
| Value | 47 | 75 |
| Popularity | 37 | 31 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $19.99 | $4.03 |
| Steam Review Score | 96.6% positive | 87.6% positive |
| Average Concurrent Players (14 days) | 157 | 1 |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
Return of the Obra Dinn
Side by side over time
Return of the Obra DinnThe Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Details and requirements
| Item | Return of the Obra Dinn | The Vanishing of Ethan Carter |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | October 18, 2018 | September 25, 2014 |
| Developers | Lucas Pope | The Astronauts |
| Publishers | 3909 | The Astronauts |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOs | Windows |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Return of the Obra Dinn or The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?
Return of the Obra Dinn won the comparison against The Vanishing of Ethan Carter based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is Return of the Obra Dinn worth buying over The Vanishing of Ethan Carter?
Based on the metrics, Return of the Obra Dinn won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
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Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 02:33 PM UTC