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

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  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. ultraviper
    Sep 10, 2019
    8
    This game reminded me a lot of Myst, one of the very first PC games I ever played. In both games you're the only living creature on a mysterious island full of puzzles. And both games are the only ones I've ever needed to use actual pen and paper to get through. The island is colorful and beautifully crafted, with lots of secrets to find, including an entirely optional unique game mechanicThis game reminded me a lot of Myst, one of the very first PC games I ever played. In both games you're the only living creature on a mysterious island full of puzzles. And both games are the only ones I've ever needed to use actual pen and paper to get through. The island is colorful and beautifully crafted, with lots of secrets to find, including an entirely optional unique game mechanic that will change the way you look at everything in the game.

    The puzzles in this are all similar: you have a grid with 1 or more starting points and 1 or more end points, and you have to draw a line between them. But that isn't much of a puzzle so the game complicates things with extra rules, like the line has to pass through certain points, or draw a certain shape. Sometimes there are multiple solutions that cause different things to happen. It all sounds very simple when described like this but the puzzles become brutal when different sets of rules are layered together.

    There isn't really a story; the game is about solving puzzles for the sake of solving puzzles. Which is good since Jonathan Blow's version of storytelling in Braid was giant screens of text in between levels. In The Witness there is no text whatsoever, other than the main menu. All the important communication is told through puzzles, which is done pretty well for the most part. The only words in the game at all come in the form of audio logs of spiritual and philosophical quotes, and a few secret videos, none of which have anything to do with the game and are all easily-ignored pretentiousness typical of Blow.    … Expand
  5. mugen_is_here
    Mar 5, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The puzzles were amazing. The world was enchantingly beautiful.

    However, the game has a serious flaw which completely ruined it for me. There are no tutorials for the puzzles. You encounter multiple colored dots on a grid and you have no idea what to do with it. You come across many new puzzles (mid-game) for which there is no basic tutorials or intros and you need to figure out what to do with them.

    For example there is a puzzle where you need to figure out a particular tree branch nearby and look through that at the grid. The leaves overlap the grid squares and that is part of the puzzle. Thaat's a really obtuse solution!    … Expand
  6. iseeall
    Aug 10, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A puzzle game where you connect 2 dots in a maze. Then there is more of it, and more, with slight changes in rules each time. Then it starts to involve the environment, and each next puzzle requires to guess what new principle is needed this time. Until suddenly you see that you can drag your mouse across anything in the world that starts with a line and ends with a fat dot. This creates a blast of emotions (like, hey, the line doesn't even have to consist from the same 3D objects but can literally be built by multiple 3D objects, and their distance from you doesn't matter as long as _visually_ they align into a line and a dot). Then you run around the island for a few hours, searching for this pattern everywhere, and suddenly this relatively small island feels very big and populated with these environmental puzzles. Until, after the novelty wears off, you notice that searching for those lines in dots is pretty much ridiculous, and, as you've found about 50% of them it's very boring to keep searching for the rest.

    Pros:
    - the unique idea that 2D puzzles can be built by projections of 3D objects onto the screen. You can even come back to the very starting point and find out that a secret shape exists there
    - small touches, like the apple cut into pieces on a table, after you were searching for that apple in the previous puzzle and eventually decided to brute force it - and it worked

    So-so:
    - the graphics manage to look ok and colorful, but are still just rough polygons

    Cons:
    - the inevitable tedium which basically comes from lack of meaning and direction, as well as the meaninglessness of running around and turning in all directions in search of dots and lines. A collectible tape cites Einstein that "it's hard to find a true searcher" which, I guess, was the main idea of Jonathan Blow here: to make player intensively search for stuff inside a small space. But no, it's not all that much fun, at least not for long
    - lack of jump is irritating. I know it's needed that way and is part of the puzzles (e.g. so that you couldn't just jump off a wall and land in a secret area which must be accessed from elsewhere), but it still feels awkward and limiting

    I like Jonathan Blow very much, and I enjoyed his game Braid a lot. Witness is innovative too, but it's either just objectively not fun or I'm not the right person for this game. Sorry. I'd give this 5/10 but add 2 points for the wow-effect of the 2D puzzles as projections of 3D.    … Expand
  7. 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.
  8. Dubeau
    Apr 15, 2019
    5
    Puzzles after puzzles and puzzles. Barely any story, and so no element of motivation other then to go to the next one. The logic in the puzzles goes a certain way and then, all the sudden it changes. Sometimes to break the rules it has established and creates a lot of confusion. If the graphics works and the exploration is interesting, the puzzles elements is a failure in my opinion. ItPuzzles after puzzles and puzzles. Barely any story, and so no element of motivation other then to go to the next one. The logic in the puzzles goes a certain way and then, all the sudden it changes. Sometimes to break the rules it has established and creates a lot of confusion. If the graphics works and the exploration is interesting, the puzzles elements is a failure in my opinion. It rely on drawing lines and there is nothing beside it. Relying on this unique mechanic and pushing it to it's limit, also test your frustration. I give it 50%. I still think it's a prototype of a game that is somewhat cold and almost empty.… Expand
  9. aditya1101
    Jan 5, 2018
    8
    I wish I could give this game a 10/10. There's clearly a ton of work put into it, the puzzle design is super innovative and really well thought through, and the world is absolutely gorgeous and a joy to traverse through. But during my play through, I just kept on feeling my attention slipping and, despite how cool the game was, I just couldn't find the motivation to keep on playing. MaybeI wish I could give this game a 10/10. There's clearly a ton of work put into it, the puzzle design is super innovative and really well thought through, and the world is absolutely gorgeous and a joy to traverse through. But during my play through, I just kept on feeling my attention slipping and, despite how cool the game was, I just couldn't find the motivation to keep on playing. Maybe it's just impossible to build such an expansive game off of such a simple core concept, but this game certainly made an admirable effort to do so.… Expand
  10. TanSula
    Nov 2, 2018
    10
    Это, наверное, лучше во что я играл, красивая, гармоничная и умная игра, которая меняет тебе. Могу сравнивать только с фильмами Тарковского, рекомендую всем.
  11. damaso7
    Jan 6, 2018
    9
    Increíblemente original y novedoso. Es una obra de arte, únicamente mejorable mediante una historia subyacente que sea descubierta y paulatinamente comprensible, siguiendo el concepto de este maravilloso juego.
  12. gold
    Feb 9, 2020
    8
    Множество запрятанных сложных головоломок, мультяшная графика.
    Итог:8.467/10
  13. ChosenUndead99
    Apr 29, 2018
    8
    This puzzle game is really interesting with hundreds of puzzles to solve. You get to explore a large island with lots to discover. Each group of puzzles has a different way of testing you.
  14. Javichuck
    Sep 18, 2018
    8
    Walking simulator y puzzles. 20h he tardado tomándomelo con mucha tranquilidad, se puede completar en menos pero no lo recomiendo. Es un juego bonito, tranquilo y que te ofrece una experiencia personal. Se amolda a cada jugador, a su ritmo y a sus objetivos. Para mi, es el juego más bonito que he podido disfrutar, es una pena que no esté doblado al español porque lo habría disfrutado muchoWalking simulator y puzzles. 20h he tardado tomándomelo con mucha tranquilidad, se puede completar en menos pero no lo recomiendo. Es un juego bonito, tranquilo y que te ofrece una experiencia personal. Se amolda a cada jugador, a su ritmo y a sus objetivos. Para mi, es el juego más bonito que he podido disfrutar, es una pena que no esté doblado al español porque lo habría disfrutado mucho más, aunque para completarlo no es necesario leer ni escuchar nada. Es un juego para tomárselo con calma, disfrutar, relajarse y hacer unos cuantos puzzles. Si te gusta puedes ir un poco más allá completando puzzles opcionales y explorando todo el mapa que siempre te guardará alguna sorpresa. Arte 10, Jugabilidad 8, Historia 8.… Expand
  15. HubertKulesz
    Nov 3, 2018
    8
    The Witness is an excellent trainer of a wit and logical thinking. If you like puzzle games and are up for a challenge, The Witness is your game. It offers over thirty hours of highly cerebral gameplay that will delight every fan of "intelligent" games, yet is open enough to let more casual players explore its landscapes.
  16. mno
    Sep 25, 2018
    9
    It's a brilliant game. It's unique and it has style. The exploration is so much fun because the island is so beautiful, diverse and feels logical. Some puzzles feel awkward, too hard, lack some variety or feel more like work than being fun but for the vast majority it's a puzzle feast.
  17. 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
  18. barawekek
    Dec 6, 2018
    9
    Я могу назвать это лучшей головоломкой за всю историю видеоигр. Игра совмещает в себе СЛИШКОМ МНОГО различных механик, и бросает вызов игроку. На решение некоторых паззлов может уйти не один час, однако для головоломок это наоборот хорошо. Приправлено все это великолепной графикой, из-за чего играть в игру просто приятно. Да, эту игру можно считать, пожалуй, одним из самых сложных квестов,Я могу назвать это лучшей головоломкой за всю историю видеоигр. Игра совмещает в себе СЛИШКОМ МНОГО различных механик, и бросает вызов игроку. На решение некоторых паззлов может уйти не один час, однако для головоломок это наоборот хорошо. Приправлено все это великолепной графикой, из-за чего играть в игру просто приятно. Да, эту игру можно считать, пожалуй, одним из самых сложных квестов, однако попробовать пройти его должен, как я считаю, каждый.… Expand
  19. natth4545
    Nov 20, 2018
    10
    Easily the best puzzle game of all time in terms of gameplay. Most puzzle games you simply repeat a process over and over again. This game is not about that. It is about figuring out the rules to a puzzle.
  20. kycokkycka
    Jan 12, 2019
    10
    All those moments will be lost in time All those moments will be lost in time
  21. PeakZach
    Mar 4, 2020
    9
    Beautiful, lots of discover, and the perfect challenge. This game will become a regular rotation on my list.
  22. Sievers
    Apr 10, 2019
    2
    I'm sitting here trying to figure out why in the world this game has so many very high reviews. I'm beginning to think that it's a sort of "I don't really understand it so I better say I really like it because it's indie and I don't wanna seem uncool" situations.

    It looks pretty. The island is interesting to look at and sometimes solving puzzles results in an animation that's cool. I    I'm sitting here trying to figure out why in the world this game has so many very high reviews. I'm beginning to think that it's a sort of "I don't really understand it so I better say I really like it because it's indie and I don't wanna seem uncool" situations.

    It looks pretty. The island is interesting to look at and sometimes solving puzzles results in an animation that's cool. I like the look of the trailing colored wires connecting strings of puzzles, almost just haphazardly thrown about. The very beginning was curious, not a shred of narrative, just walking through a dark tunnel and emerging on this island. It hearkened back to Myst, the first video game I ever honestly played, and I was excited of the prospect.

    And then I did about 20 of basically the same puzzles over and over again. I wondered if maybe I would eventually get to a new area and maybe they would change dramatically but nope. Each line of puzzles establishes a new pattern or rule. Usually a couple will be easy and help teach you the new rules, and as you progress they begin to bend the rules and combine them, offering more challenge.

    While this isn't really a problem, it's terribly repetitive and every set of puzzles I came across played the exact same way. It was a slog even only after finishing a few.

    My biggest issue with it all, though, is the lack of immersion. It's *so* quiet. Nothing makes sound. Sure there's a little ambient noise on the island but nothing interesting, and no background music at all. At least none that I ever heard and I explored a fair amount. Here you have this beautiful island but you spend the whole time staring at these carbon copy screens and to top it all off there's not even anything to listen to while you're doing it.

    Maybe I had the wrong impression of it all. It's not a puzzle adventure game like I'd hoped for, like what Myst and Riven were to me. It's only a puzzle game. And I've played free puzzle games on my phone that captured my attention so much more than this has.

    Is it unfair that I even try to compare this to Myst? Maybe. Probably. If I didn't expect so much then maybe my attitude would be different. But when I think "what makes this game deserve a 10?" I can't think of anything at all.

    It should be noted that I received this game for free on the Epic Store.    … Expand
  23. ArcanaThe4th
    Jul 31, 2019
    5
    This game bored me. I mean, take it or leave it, it's a beautiful game, with great scenery and aesthetic and the puzzles are creative, but at the end of the day, it's a walking simulator with some puzzles that are so abstract and each one being so different from each other, that they can be frustrating.
  24. rangajeezus
    Jun 3, 2019
    10
    Very truly, it is the greatest game ever made. I've never experienced a single bug, glitch or mistake. Unparalleled levels of polish and complexity in thematic composition and expression.
  25. Shadran
    Nov 6, 2019
    9
    Amazing puzzle game. This game is highly rewarding for people with sens for details. Learning system is very unique wich smoothly pushes player to exploring and trying new approaches after learning more about puzzles wich unlocks more places to explore and just like that, you sink hours and hours of gameplay in really well made game.
  26. 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
  27. amazingmold46
    Mar 2, 2020
    9
    And absolutely gorgeous puzzle adventure game that somehow manages to keep line puzzles fun and engaging from beginning to end. If your not into puzzle games already though, this definitely won't change your mind.
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. 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
  32. 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.
  33. 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!
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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.
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  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]
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