I have had my eye on this game for awhile, but I'm still unsure of what it is in terms of actually experiencing what it has to offer. I'm sure there is little to no gameplay, as it looks like a rail adventure. But for those of you who are interested in it, it is on a Steam sale this week for $5.
Dear Esther - Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/203810/)
It's a game that centres around atmosphere rather than action. You walk around a deserted island, hearing snippets of letters written between you and Esther, who (it's heavily implied) is someone you are/were in love with. You learn about your shared history with Esther through these letters.
I only played the older, free, mod version, so it may have changed a little. I really liked it: although it only really does atmosphere and narrative (and minimal interaction) it did it well.
I haven't bothered to get the new version, though. I enjoyed the old version but I'm too busy right now. And it'll be there for me when I fancy a go.
The commercial version is lightyears better than the free mod version. I mean, the idea and execution is the same, but its atmosphere is greatly enhanced. The graphics are amazing (especially for Source, these days) and it's actually longer with more narration. The each time you replay it more of the story is revealed.
It's nice if you accept it for what it is, and it's done well. But it is basically exactly as you described it; a rail adventure. Or "interactive narrative". Myself, I loved the feeling of exploration. It's incredibly and obviously linear, but it was still a great journey. I wish you could go faster, but that would have ruined the whole point.
I wish there was a demo, so I could see what it's really like first-hand. I only see videos, but videos of a game that focuses on narrative kind of defeats the purpose of playing it. I'll do some research, cause if the story is really something to admire, I may give it a shot after all.
If the free mod version is still available you could play that. You need a Source game for that, I think.