The Witness

 PC
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 699 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 440 out of 699
  2. Mixed: 127 out of 699
  3. Negative: 132 out of 699

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Poccigoni
    Sep 5, 2023
    7
    A good game for people who enjoy puzzles and open-world games, or for those who don't want to take a game too seriously. Stunning art direction and well designed open world. However, I feel like some puzzle designs were too difficult to the point where they would become frustrating, and if you are from the latter group I mentioned, you probably don't want to spend hours thinking of oneA good game for people who enjoy puzzles and open-world games, or for those who don't want to take a game too seriously. Stunning art direction and well designed open world. However, I feel like some puzzle designs were too difficult to the point where they would become frustrating, and if you are from the latter group I mentioned, you probably don't want to spend hours thinking of one puzzle.

    The game would have also been better with some sort of background story. You'd expect to get at least some information at the end, but it is so subtle that it leaves the player with more doubts than what they came with. There is a difference between giving the basics and leaving an open ending, which leaves the playerbase with different conclusions, but similar key terms, and straight up just letting the player guess what is going on, which sounds like a good idea at first, but it is way worse when executed.

    Overall a good game for people who enjoy relaxing games, but I don't think I can give it anymore than a 7-8 due to the already mentioned issues.    … Expand
  2. DrAMaximus
    Aug 29, 2023
    9
    Я бы сказал что эта игра - своего рода полигон, где в игровой форме, через созерцание различных идей, концепций и абстракций, происходит стимулирование игрока на размышления, а также его знакомство с иными способами смотреть на одни и те же вещи. При этом какого то конкретного авторского высказывания я не заметил, должно быть нам просто хотели подарить радость от исследования и открытияЯ бы сказал что эта игра - своего рода полигон, где в игровой форме, через созерцание различных идей, концепций и абстракций, происходит стимулирование игрока на размышления, а также его знакомство с иными способами смотреть на одни и те же вещи. При этом какого то конкретного авторского высказывания я не заметил, должно быть нам просто хотели подарить радость от исследования и открытия чего то нового. Мне кажется что любая оценка этой игры будет строго субъективной, но для меня это был очень интересный опыт. Так что рекомендую всем любителям загадок как минимум обратить внимание на данный проект.… Expand
  3. Lazzakz
    Aug 21, 2023
    10
    Greatest puzzle game ever made. Simply one of the most touching and deep experiences to have with any game.

    10
  4. liane80
    Jun 2, 2023
    10
    A Masterpiece in Puzzle Game Design. When you restart the game after finishing it for the first time you see the game's world through different eyes. It has one of the most fascinating easter eggs of all time. I recommend it!
  5. ChiIIaoi
    Apr 6, 2023
    10
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro jogo:
    Jogo mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  6. KevLooney
    Mar 19, 2023
    5
    They include puzzles that are unintuitive. They include puzzles that are pure trial and error. The game has a noticeable lack of music. At first I gave this game an 8/10 when the puzzles were intuitive and progression was clear. It didn't last. Progression is unclear.
  7. DonldTrump_45Th
    Jan 26, 2023
    8
    Hello, this is a default review because i'm forced to use 75 characters. I'll edit this review in the future talking about the game, don't worry ;)

    My final rate is: 8
  8. DinoBeam
    Nov 20, 2022
    0
    Piss-poor communication. It will teach you a certain branch of puzzles works one way, and then it turns out it didn't teach you how it actually works. That is just passive-aggressive. I do not trust the designer.
  9. logss
    Oct 20, 2022
    10
    If there's only one game that we're going to send to aliens, I would choose The Witness.
  10. Giwon
    Jan 22, 2022
    8
    퍼즐 게임을 즐기는 이유는 퍼즐을 풀어냄으로써 얻는 성취감도 있겠지만, 새로운 방식의 퍼즐을 맞닥들이면서 얻는 행복감 또한 크기 때문입니다. The Witness는 이 두가지를 모두 완벽하게 만족시켜주는 게임이었습니다. 관점과 시각의 변화를 기발하게 표현한 퍼즐들을 풀 때는 정말 너무 행복했습니다. 게다가 조화로운 색감과 아름다운 맵 비쥬얼도 즐거움에 큰 역할을 했습니다.

    하지만 이 게임은 아주아주아주 불친절합니다. 친절하고 편리한 게임 시스템이 기반이 되어야 오픈월드 형식의 자유로움을 크게 느낄 수 있을텐데, 귀찮음과 노가다성이 더 부각되는 느낌을 받았습니다. 그리고 고난이도 문제에서 맞닥뜨리게 되는 "어떻게 풀어야 할까?"라는 고민보다 "그래서 뭐 어쩌라고?"라고 느껴지는 납득하기    퍼즐 게임을 즐기는 이유는 퍼즐을 풀어냄으로써 얻는 성취감도 있겠지만, 새로운 방식의 퍼즐을 맞닥들이면서 얻는 행복감 또한 크기 때문입니다. The Witness는 이 두가지를 모두 완벽하게 만족시켜주는 게임이었습니다. 관점과 시각의 변화를 기발하게 표현한 퍼즐들을 풀 때는 정말 너무 행복했습니다. 게다가 조화로운 색감과 아름다운 맵 비쥬얼도 즐거움에 큰 역할을 했습니다.

    하지만 이 게임은 아주아주아주 불친절합니다. 친절하고 편리한 게임 시스템이 기반이 되어야 오픈월드 형식의 자유로움을 크게 느낄 수 있을텐데, 귀찮음과 노가다성이 더 부각되는 느낌을 받았습니다. 그리고 고난이도 문제에서 맞닥뜨리게 되는 "어떻게 풀어야 할까?"라는 고민보다 "그래서 뭐 어쩌라고?"라고 느껴지는 납득하기 힘든 난해한 퍼즐들도 꽤 있었습니다. 내가 뭘 해야될지, 어디로 가야할지, 어떻게 해야 퍼즐이 시작될지에 대한 난감한 상황들이 종종 있었죠.

    "와 어떻게 이렇게 퍼즐을 만들지?"라는 감탄과 "아니 이걸 어떻게 알아... 어쩌라는거야"가 공존하는 퍼즐 게임입니다. 퍼즐게임을 좋아하신다면 구매를 적극 추천하지만, 특히 저처럼 100% 완료를 좋아하는 분들은 불친절한 게임시스템이 가져오는 어마어마한 당황스러움은 각오를 하셔야 합니다.

    Why we enjoy the puzzle games is not only feeling a sense of achievement from solving puzzles, but also get entirely new experiences from new types of puzzle. The Witness satisfies these two things perfectly. When I solved the puzzles through changes in perspective and view point, I was so happy. And view of map is really colorful, harmonious and beautiful.

    But this game is too unkind to user. I am often confused because I don't know what I do, where I go, how to start a puzzle... And some puzzle is too convoluted to understand and solve, not only high-level. On the form of open-world in this game, I just felt bored and repetitive, not freewheeling.

    This game has "Amazing puzzles! Beautiful experience!" and "How can I know this... What the.." both. If you love puzzle games, I recommend this game. But, you should endure the unkindness and confusion from system of this game.    … Expand
  11. MarsDell
    Dec 4, 2021
    5
    Я играл в эту игру около 10 часов (в основном бегал по локациям в поисках нормальных головоломок) и хочу сказать вот что: локации обычные, местами как в Firewatch. Взаимодействия с ландшафтом почти 0, можно бегать по тропинкам и открывать двери.
    Головоломки: Они супер скучные, супер душные и однообразные.
    Почти все головоломки которые я проходил однотипные, обычная змейка, почему    Я играл в эту игру около 10 часов (в основном бегал по локациям в поисках нормальных головоломок) и хочу сказать вот что: локации обычные, местами как в Firewatch. Взаимодействия с ландшафтом почти 0, можно бегать по тропинкам и открывать двери.
    Головоломки: Они супер скучные, супер душные и однообразные.
    Почти все головоломки которые я проходил однотипные, обычная змейка, почему разработчик не придумал что-то ещё? Я читал что на эту игру было потрачено куча денег и времени, я ничего из этого не увидел к сожалению. 5 баллов за обычную карту и концепцию.
    Люди пишущие о том что они прошли и им понравилось, о том что, кому не зашло "глупые" не знают о том, что головоломки могут быть разными и интересными    … Expand
  12. Sbeeer
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Absolutely the best puzzle game I've played, and one of my all time favourite videogames ever!
    The Witness doesn't teach you anything, it guides you through the learning process of figuring out puzzle rules by yourself. Kept me occupied for a month!
    10/10 - but only if you're not afraid of a challenge.
  13. Giasart
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    Yes, you will get mad at it. Yes, some of the solutions are boringly stupid. But I assure you, the thoughts it generates and the meaning of it all make the sweat worth. The story is scattered, but piecing it together is the real final puzzle.
  14. IAmGood-U
    Aug 30, 2021
    9
    One of the best puzzle games of recent years. It really gives you a sense of discovery and intrigue. Definitely play if you like puzzle games.
  15. The27thSlot
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    I feel sorry for those who look up answers to puzzles or the puzzle mechanics and then call the game repetitive. The whole point is you have to solve puzzles without actually knowing the mechanics, just knowing that your idea of how they work has allowed you to solve all the previous puzzles. The more you know about this game before you go in, the worse your experience will be.
  16. jgmj921
    Mar 27, 2021
    8
    The world and puzzles are masterfully designed and appropriately challenging, despite being a bit repetitive. Instructions are not placed in apparent places or orderly enough that they can be easily missed, resulting in some of the harder puzzles in early game. The story, whether there is one is up for debate, isn't clear for a player to the end, while some of the pieces of audio or videoThe world and puzzles are masterfully designed and appropriately challenging, despite being a bit repetitive. Instructions are not placed in apparent places or orderly enough that they can be easily missed, resulting in some of the harder puzzles in early game. The story, whether there is one is up for debate, isn't clear for a player to the end, while some of the pieces of audio or video are quite interesting. Overall a rewarding experience.… Expand
  17. B-Bog
    Dec 22, 2020
    5
    Maybe I'm just not smart enough to properly appreciate games like this, but after the initial few hours, which admittedly, were fun, I ran into several brick walls and I closed the game and never came back. I just don't enjoy staring at the same screen for 20 minutes, grinding my gears trying to work out the solution to what feels like pretty arbitrary maze puzzles, only to get rewardedMaybe I'm just not smart enough to properly appreciate games like this, but after the initial few hours, which admittedly, were fun, I ran into several brick walls and I closed the game and never came back. I just don't enjoy staring at the same screen for 20 minutes, grinding my gears trying to work out the solution to what feels like pretty arbitrary maze puzzles, only to get rewarded with: More maze puzzles.

    I just don't have that kind of patience and I also want more from a video game. Yes, the island is beautiful, but there's not much in terms of story or context (or even music), and, from what I've read, that doesn't really change when you progress further into the game. It's all intrigue and no pay-off.    … Expand
  18. strangebrew123
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Top quality game, great gameplay and movement, lots of thinking. Superb variety of challenges. Took me 36 hours to complete. Excellent purchase.
  19. GVB
    Oct 30, 2020
    9
    An almost perfect story about obsession and intelligence. Its hard, painfully obscure sometimes... but finish this game without guides or walkthrough its one of the most rewarding experience since finish bloodborne. And its simply beautiful.
  20. lord_raccoon
    Oct 5, 2020
    5
    Its inadequately hard after 4-5 hours of gameplay. The problem of the game is not in complexity of its puzzles (though they are tough too), but on the fact that player should find himself what symbols on the panel mean. And sometimes its almost impossible, to my taste. I always had to google to understand what is the logic on this or that sector of the map (and sometimes even search forIts inadequately hard after 4-5 hours of gameplay. The problem of the game is not in complexity of its puzzles (though they are tough too), but on the fact that player should find himself what symbols on the panel mean. And sometimes its almost impossible, to my taste. I always had to google to understand what is the logic on this or that sector of the map (and sometimes even search for solutions, because i dont really want to spend hour of exploring on each panel while there are hundreds of them in game).

    So, when it came to the stage when i had to google every panel and sector, i decided to delete the game because it just doesnt worth it. You made the whole game based on one mechanic, pretty diversed, but still the same. And so i got bored and tired.

    About other parts of the game. Nothing specific beautiful was found by me in this game. Pretty average locations, no music, weird audiosecrets. So, i disappointed in all those 10/10 reviews.    … Expand
  21. Olshansky
    Jul 18, 2020
    6
    I really admire and respect Jonathan Blow as a game designer, engineer and entrepreneur. This game is original, interesting, and beautiful but not quite captivating. I played it with my friend, enjoyed it, but was not drawn in enough to finish it.
  22. nunocordeiro
    Jul 3, 2020
    10
    One of the best games I've ever played. It's especially good to play with a friend or with your girlfriend. It's challenging, beautiful, and engaging.
  23. DKurac
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    I completed this game 2 years ago on Xbox and now on PC. It is still the most beautiful game i have ever played. I love every single thing on this game it is pure perfection.
  24. NfeKteD
    Jun 20, 2020
    8
    The Witness is an exploration and puzzle game without a specific story, which makes its highest point, you walk, solve some puzzles here and there, see some constructions and strange things in the meantime and in no time, the game says something.

    This is his point because, you decide what is happening there, why you are doing everything, and try to understand what may be happening at    The Witness is an exploration and puzzle game without a specific story, which makes its highest point, you walk, solve some puzzles here and there, see some constructions and strange things in the meantime and in no time, the game says something.

    This is his point because, you decide what is happening there, why you are doing everything, and try to understand what may be happening at the game site.

    Another highlight is its setting, the game is beautiful, with different areas and full of mysteries. Its gameplay is based on puzzles to take one point of the panel to another point, following specific rules, the game has more than 500 unique puzzles, but you do not need to complete them all to finish the game, leaving your choice of how to play and even When.

    I recommend it for those who really like puzzles, and want a different game, but chances are you will get sick of it, or even find it meaningless, I recommend watching some videos about it before making the purchase. However I personally do not regret the purchase.    … Expand
  25. hoanns
    Jun 14, 2020
    9
    Great puzzler, beautiful scenery, great atmosphere. Interesting puzzles, although most of them are just 2d puzzles where you look at a plate. I wish there were more real world puzzles
  26. ShermanSays
    Jun 12, 2020
    10
    The Witness is not a game for everyone, it has an unhealthy obsession for player discovery, but that makes it the best puzzle game I have ever played.

    Pros: Best puzzle game I have ever played Cons: High barrier to entry, sound based puzzles The laser focused design of this game is admirable. There was such detail put into every aspect of the world. It was stated that there were    The Witness is not a game for everyone, it has an unhealthy obsession for player discovery, but that makes it the best puzzle game I have ever played.

    Pros: Best puzzle game I have ever played
    Cons: High barrier to entry, sound based puzzles

    The laser focused design of this game is admirable. There was such detail put into every aspect of the world. It was stated that there were three distinct groups of puzzles in the world, by the developer. First is the base puzzles, the panels that unlock the first ending, the second are spoilers for the best discovery this game has to offer, and the third are the visual perspective puzzles around the world of the witness. These are the only types that do not show completion. Solving each of these types of puzzles are rewarding and difficult, but each time there is an addictive dopamine rush with the discovery that comes with completing a panel.

    The puzzles in this game are among the hardest in any game I have played. Completing all of them is a task of epic proportion, which most players won't complete. The few who do are in for a treat as only then does the narrative rear it's head. The narrative has some surprisingly deep philosophical and theological roots, and works more as an exploration of themes through player action more than any of the audio logs do in the world. The main theme is human discovery as stated earlier, and where the narrative lands on that large topic is poignant.

    This game is not meant to be played by most people. It's design is so focused that it excludes players, the same way that a technically demanding game would.Because of this the players that do engage with it do so on a deeper level. I had to play this game three separate times before being able to finish it. I think that there is nothing that this game could have improved on.    … Expand
  27. farzher
    Jun 2, 2020
    10
    a masterpiece. one of the most perfect games ever made. i'm not necessarily recommending you play it though, lol.
  28. Filipes
    Apr 14, 2020
    10
    Beautiful island with many puzzles to find, solve and get yourself lost in...
  29. Gillfinnfish
    Apr 11, 2020
    10
    It's a game driven by the joy of discovery, in that there are many things to discover and every new thing learned brings profound satisfaction. Beautiful and brilliantly designed, this is the most engaging experience I've ever had with a video game.
  30. PeakZach
    Mar 4, 2020
    9
    Beautiful, lots of discover, and the perfect challenge. This game will become a regular rotation on my list.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PC Game of 2016
37
#37 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
63
#63 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. High-Def Digest
    Apr 10, 2016
    60
    Video games are unequivocally a form of art. But like all art, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With 'The Witness' I feel like I’m in an art gallery watching a gaggle of admirers who are looking at a piece together, commenting on its style and how it makes them feel. I’m the guy standing off to the side, not with them but looking at the same painting. I can admit that it’s pretty, but it doesn’t really evoke a significant response, and so I shrug and move on to the next.
    Read full review
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 31, 2016
    92
    The Witness is a “just” puzzle game as much as orgasm is just a feeling. [March 2016]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Mar 22, 2016
    100
    The most beautiful IQ test under the sun? The Witness is much more than that. Celebration of human intelligence and lament to the fate that results from it. [Issue # 261]
See all critic reviews »