Would AAMFP be better if it would NOT be considered a game, like Dear Esther?

[Quizerno]

It meets the barest definition of a "game."

However the term that best suits it is "Walking Simulator." Which also fits Dear Esther, Korsakovia (99% of it at least), Gone Home, March, Slender, and One Late Night.

The game requires no thought other than:

1. Pressing Buttons
2. Bring Object A to Point B.
3. Walking
4. Listening to narration.

There are a couple sections where you have to avoid monsters, but let's be honest, calling them a core part of the game is generous.

The reason people are calling it "not a game" is because it took out the core gameplay elements of Amnesia, emphasized finding bits of the story.

If the Chineseroom wants to tell stories, they should not make games because they don't know what makes games fun.