The Witness

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 853 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 557 out of 853
  2. Mixed: 148 out of 853
  3. Negative: 148 out of 853

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  1. shinhito
    Apr 13, 2016
    10
    This is a game unlike any other out there. Original and thought provoking ideas beyond the usual limitations of the medium. Combining the best elements from literature, philosophy, meditation, this game teaches how to look for answers both to the puzzles presented and teaches you how to search, and explores the nature of curiosity. To those that say this game only consists of repetitiveThis is a game unlike any other out there. Original and thought provoking ideas beyond the usual limitations of the medium. Combining the best elements from literature, philosophy, meditation, this game teaches how to look for answers both to the puzzles presented and teaches you how to search, and explores the nature of curiosity. To those that say this game only consists of repetitive puzzles of a singular type, that immediately tells me they barely scratched the surface of this game. Come to this game with an open mind and patience and it will fill your mind with wonder and awe. This is a rare gem of a game and deserves all the praise given to it. Amazing.… Expand
  2. lgndsgn
    Mar 8, 2016
    10
    If you like puzzles, and a good challenge, you will probably like it. If you're not into puzzles, or don't have much patience, the game will most likely grate on you. There isn't a lot of hand-holding. The difficulty really depends on the person playing. I found it just right; challenging at times, but not in a "I need a pen and paper" sort of way. They're not that complex. It's more aboutIf you like puzzles, and a good challenge, you will probably like it. If you're not into puzzles, or don't have much patience, the game will most likely grate on you. There isn't a lot of hand-holding. The difficulty really depends on the person playing. I found it just right; challenging at times, but not in a "I need a pen and paper" sort of way. They're not that complex. It's more about discovery, and getting the trick. The island is split into a few distinct areas (desert, monastery, tree house, etc). From the start, for the most part, you have free reign of the island to access each area, though some areas/puzzles require that you solve other puzzles to explore further. There is a loose order to the areas you must complete on play-through, though it is up to you to figure out. The story (if you could call it that) is rather cryptic. It is pieced together through recordings you find throughout the environment. Again, I have the feeling many people will either love it or hate it. It challenges beliefs on topics like atheism, spirituality and free will. Other than the recordings, the rest is up to you to interpret and piece together. Overall, it's a very intellectual game. I've never played a game quite like it. And I feel it's in a special territory of games that only come along once in a great while.… Expand
  3. MeanMF
    Mar 9, 2016
    10
    Masterpiece of a puzzle game. Beautiful world and creative, evolving puzzles that can really challenge you. And an open, optional endgame that rewards exploration. If you don't like puzzles you won't like this game, but if you do it's a must-play.
  4. yloquen
    Jan 30, 2016
    10
    An amazing game, not meant for everyone, but its target audience will devour it. Stranded on a picturesque island, you must solve puzzles via a deceptively simple interface. It’s true The Witness consist only of maze puzzles - in the same sense in which languages consist only of words - if you’re willing to learn the words of the language the game slowly teaches you, the satisfaction whenAn amazing game, not meant for everyone, but its target audience will devour it. Stranded on a picturesque island, you must solve puzzles via a deceptively simple interface. It’s true The Witness consist only of maze puzzles - in the same sense in which languages consist only of words - if you’re willing to learn the words of the language the game slowly teaches you, the satisfaction when you uncover its intricacies can be immense. The puzzles are roughly divided in two types - those whose solution is derived from abstract logical rules and those which require observation of the environment. Sometimes both combine in a very elegant way.

    As for the difficulty - I found that a good strategy was not to give up too easily but also not to try too hard - if you get stuck - change the area - there’s plenty to choose from and you don’t need to solve all the zones to get to the endgame.

    In an interview , the developer said that the theme of the game was epiphany and I think that he has achieved his goal - I doubt it has competition when it comes to the "Eureka!" moments, and I'm not talking only about discovering the solution to a particular problem - I'm talking about moments when your whole perspective shifts.

    Some of the flaws I found - I think the game would have benefited from a dedicated story as opposed to the sparse audio logs with an eclectic selection of quotations located randomly around the island. There were some puzzles particularly towards the end that were visually nauseating. These minor flaws do not detract from the singular experience of The Witness - if you have an inkling you might like it - I advise you to try it.    … Expand
  5. Niall79
    Jan 28, 2016
    10
    This will be held up by some as further proof that “Jonathan Blow is pretentious”. Try to ignore that bunch.

    What he’s delivered here, along with his team, is the perfectly integrated puzzle game, where the puzzles tell you something about your surroundings, and your surroundings in turn inform you about the puzzles. The basic mechanic is deceptively simple, and there are such a variety    This will be held up by some as further proof that “Jonathan Blow is pretentious”. Try to ignore that bunch.

    What he’s delivered here, along with his team, is the perfectly integrated puzzle game, where the puzzles tell you something about your surroundings, and your surroundings in turn inform you about the puzzles. The basic mechanic is deceptively simple, and there are such a variety of iterations on the theme it never gets tired.

    The game teaches you how to play through example rather than tutorial. In other words, it shows but never tells. It can be frustrating when you can’t see what it’s trying to teach you, sure, but the sense of accomplishment when you put it all together can be near euphoric.

    His decision to use the words of others rather than his own is a brave one. For me, after working long and hard on some of the trickier puzzles, I was primed for deeper thought, and found the word of these thinkers all the more affecting. For others, no doubt, it will be just the evidence they were looking for that “Jonathon Blow is pretentious”…    … Expand
  6. rez
    Feb 2, 2016
    10
    The Witness is a masterpiece, though it's not for everyone. If you enjoy games which reward exploration and experimentation, there's a lot to love here - but even then, the game asks a deal of patience of its audience. You will often come across puzzles which you are ill-equipped to solve. The brilliance in the design is that all of the puzzles are entirely solvable with the mechanicsThe Witness is a masterpiece, though it's not for everyone. If you enjoy games which reward exploration and experimentation, there's a lot to love here - but even then, the game asks a deal of patience of its audience. You will often come across puzzles which you are ill-equipped to solve. The brilliance in the design is that all of the puzzles are entirely solvable with the mechanics available to players from the start of the game; the only real limit on the player is their knowledge of the rules. There are no explicit tutorials, but the knowledge is available to be discovered across the game's beautiful island setting.

    If that sounds a bit vague it's only because I want to respect readers in the same way that the game respects its players, allowing them to explore and discover for themselves the many secrets of the island.

    As you might expect in a game from the designer who brought us Braid, the narrative is very much open to interpretation. This is a game wherein nothing is explicit, and if you require that external drive you may feel rather lost. It helps a great deal to to come into this game with a willingness to think, to be confused, and to keep exploring all the same.

    It's worth noting that colourblind and/or hearing impaired players may have difficulty with some of the game's puzzles, as they rely on an array of sensory clues. I encourage those affected to do more research before diving in.

    It took me about 25 hours to reach the end of the game, completing a fair deal of the optional puzzles along the way - though I suspect the remaining ones could easily take another 5-10 hours to get through, if not longer.

    I abstained from turning to the internet for advice the entire way through, and I strongly recommend that other players do the same. The game tells you everything you need to know if only you persevere - and the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming these challenges alone is great. Trust the game; it is fair, and it does want you to succeed.

    All in all this is one of the most impressively designed games I've ever had the pleasure of playing. There is sharp intent behind every aspect of its construction - to a level that often feels absurd - and the result is an incredibly unique and fulfilling experience.    … Expand
  7. Bellicose
    May 31, 2021
    10
    If you like puzzle games, this is a masterpiece.

    It may not be fun to watch (for example, like Portal sometimes is), but for the person engaged with it...wow. So much of the fun takes place inside the person playing it. Which -- I mean, I get that sounds obvious, but... I would get up Sunday mornings, make myself some tea, and stare at a grid for an hour, and I LOVED it. For my    If you like puzzle games, this is a masterpiece.

    It may not be fun to watch (for example, like Portal sometimes is), but for the person engaged with it...wow. So much of the fun takes place inside the person playing it. Which -- I mean, I get that sounds obvious, but...

    I would get up Sunday mornings, make myself some tea, and stare at a grid for an hour, and I LOVED it.

    For my money, best puzzle game ever made. I wish I could erase my memory and play it again.    … Expand
  8. DarthPadme
    Jan 28, 2016
    10
    After seeing only negative reviews on the front page for this game, I felt I needed to chime in.

    This is a thinking man's game. If you cannot appreciate meticulous detail, subtle hints, painstakingly hidden environmental details, or are not inclined to perfectionism, this game is not for you. Many reviews I've read apparently have a hatred for puzzles, which is 95% of what this game is    After seeing only negative reviews on the front page for this game, I felt I needed to chime in.

    This is a thinking man's game. If you cannot appreciate meticulous detail, subtle hints, painstakingly hidden environmental details, or are not inclined to perfectionism, this game is not for you. Many reviews I've read apparently have a hatred for puzzles, which is 95% of what this game is about. If you are easily frustrated and despise the idea of learning interesting new mechanics, well, why did you think paying $40 for this game was a good idea?

    If you require instant gratification, this isn't the best use of your time and money.

    However, if you're like me, and have a deep appreciation for brain-benders and don't mind being stumped on a dozen different puzzles at once, you need to get this game. There is a perplexing draw to the whole experience - the promise of an overarching puzzle within a puzzle within all of the other puzzles you're solving. It's not just about navigating several hundred mazes. It's about what you learn, what you feel, how you think, and the way you process the sights and sounds of this precisely engineered world. There are times where you will break the fourth wall for yourself and think, "How did they program that?" yet remain in awe of the task you've just completed.

    That's really what I appreciate about this game. I haven't felt this satisfied with a gaming experience since the original Dark Souls. I'm reminded heavily of that game's brutal difficulty when going into it as a brand new experience. This game draws multiple parallels despite being a wholly different genre. In Dark Souls, after defeating a notoriously difficult boss after numerous attempts, the feeling of victory is nearly unrivaled - that is, until you play The Witness, and solve a series of puzzles over the course of an hour that leave you feeling like a genius. It will require plenty of intuiting, and the occasional figurative slamming of your head against a wall, but nothing in this game requires brute force. It is all learned, it all builds upon itself, and it all, majestically, simply, cohesively... works.

    Some of the later puzzles will really test your ability to navigate intimidating labyrinths as you plot every scrupulous step. I was stubborn in my tackling of such puzzles, as I never wrote anything down or made diagrams until much later. Side note, I would recommend writing things down and making some diagrams. Maybe take a picture of your screen. Or don't, like me!

    It doesn't hurt that I'm playing on a 55" 4K TV with a 980 Ti. The attention to detail, regardless of the painterly overtones, is not lost on me. While plain from a distance, up close is where the magic truly shines. The color grading and art direction going from different zones of the island are incredible, evoking a totally different feel within seconds of traversal. Were I not to enjoy the puzzles, this game would still be a joy of a sight to behold.

    This game is this generation's Myst, no doubt about it. Playing this felt like I was touring Jonathan Blow's synapses, and getting a glimpse at how beautiful the human mind can be. Without flattering the developer too much, I think of this game as a genuine gift to gamers worldwide, and its fastidious creation over the last 7 years or so is without a doubt a labor of love.

    So, I have a lot of high praise for this game, but it's not quite perfect. If I were to complain about anything, it would be the lack of exposition, and the really-quite-terrible audio logs: Strewn and hidden about the world are different tiny recorders you can activate, and each one is narrated by a person reading a quote by someone who sounds really full of themselves, and loves hearing themselves speak about things that sound smart but are in fact common knowledge. There are quotes from religious authors, astronauts, Albert Einstein... and they're all grating, and frankly, weird. After I time I stopped activating the logs because they were intrusive and annoying to my experience. I actually hate this aspect of this game, but thankfully it's optional. I didn't find my first one until about an hour or two in, so it was a cool surprise, which rapidly devolved once I realized how utterly lame they were. I'm sure they thought this was a good idea, but in practice, I thought it was pretty awful.

    There hasn't been a single puzzle I haven't enjoyed solving (except for the really easy ones which are not challenging). I don't think you can ask much more of a game that entirely revolves around such, but the developers really did go above and beyond, and made the otherwise mundane into a masterpiece. Bravo.

    9.5/10, but giving it a 10 on Metacritic to balance out the feeble-minded simpletons who lack the intellect to appreciate ingenuity, or otherwise dislike Jonathan Blow for being smart and successful.    … Expand
  9. mrnice
    Apr 29, 2019
    10
    The Witness goes for a completely different type of game, almost invents a genre: discovering game mechanics. The inclusion of a great hidden challenge level at the end of the game lifts this game from 'great' to 'classic' status. It's a remarkably pretty game as well, playing it feels almost like going on vacation.
  10. MNecromancer
    Jan 31, 2016
    10
    This is the best designed puzzle game I've ever played. There's no nonsense in this game, just a very complete experience.

    For me, the best puzzles can't involve rote memorization or having to backtrack to a different area to get a key or something. The best ones just give you all of the tools you need and then you need to stare at it for a few minutes to work it out. If a game's really    This is the best designed puzzle game I've ever played. There's no nonsense in this game, just a very complete experience.

    For me, the best puzzles can't involve rote memorization or having to backtrack to a different area to get a key or something. The best ones just give you all of the tools you need and then you need to stare at it for a few minutes to work it out. If a game's really good, I might even pull out a notebook to work on a serious business puzzle. That's the type of puzzle that The Witness offers.

    If there's a puzzle you can't figure out, try exploring a bit more, you'll get it eventually. I just beat it and the only times I got stuck were because I had made some random assumption about how a puzzle worked. The only ones I didn't like were the tone puzzles because I can't hear tones worth a damn.    … Expand
  11. CurlyJefferson
    Jul 14, 2017
    10
    An intricate puzzle game filled to the brim with challenges both obvious and, at first, nearly inscrutable. The Witness certainly feels like the result of over seven years of hard work; never have I played a game with a world crafted with such painstaking attention to every detail of its world. The puzzles are hard, and become even harder, but with increased difficulty comes increasedAn intricate puzzle game filled to the brim with challenges both obvious and, at first, nearly inscrutable. The Witness certainly feels like the result of over seven years of hard work; never have I played a game with a world crafted with such painstaking attention to every detail of its world. The puzzles are hard, and become even harder, but with increased difficulty comes increased satisfaction after the player solves a particularly challenging series. This game has such a classical approach to design that feels older than it is, and if there were a "video game museum" I imagine that The Witness would sit comfortably at the end of the hall, establishing itself as a hallmark in game design. It is a game not solely, but primarily centered on revelation and discovery. The Witness was my favorite game of 2016.… Expand
  12. badducky
    Jan 30, 2016
    10
    My experience playing the witness:

    First 3 hours: Ok I'm solving puzzles on an island, nothing special. All of these puzzles are solved on an touchscreens by drawing a line through a maze. Isn't this going to be repetitive? And why did it have to be on an island? Beautiful graphics though. After 8 hours: Some of the puzzles are becoming more and more interesting... Still don't    My experience playing the witness:

    First 3 hours:
    Ok I'm solving puzzles on an island, nothing special. All of these puzzles are solved on an touchscreens by drawing a line through a maze. Isn't this going to be repetitive? And why did it have to be on an island? Beautiful graphics though.

    After 8 hours:
    Some of the puzzles are becoming more and more interesting... Still don't really get why there is so much high praise for this game...

    After about 12 hours (for me):
    Holy ####! Did that just happen???? How ... how did they program this?? I can't believe I did not see this!! This island is not just eye candy, it's much much more than that!!!

    So, if you like solving puzzles (hard puzzles, get a pen and paper because you will have to take notes), if you can be patient and if you have the willpower to try to do this on your own, you are in for something special...    … Expand
  13. HaloFever
    Jan 3, 2017
    10
    Brilliant. Wonderful. Best puzzle game I have ever played.

    The puzzles are the heart of this game and they are put together nicely. Each new puzzle type has a few tutorial puzzles. No in game hints. No verbal or written instructions. The developer has to teach you how to do the puzzles through the puzzles themselves, and they did wonderful work. Everytime I find a seemingly impossible    Brilliant. Wonderful. Best puzzle game I have ever played.

    The puzzles are the heart of this game and they are put together nicely. Each new puzzle type has a few tutorial puzzles. No in game hints. No verbal or written instructions. The developer has to teach you how to do the puzzles through the puzzles themselves, and they did wonderful work. Everytime I find a seemingly impossible puzzle, I then find a new tutorial section and have another epiphany. Even better, nothing requires existing knowledge. My kids were figuring out puzzles with me, and indeed much better at finding environmental clues that my boring old brain would ignore. The beauty of this game is that the tasks build up your competency, so that by the end you feel like a genius and not a frustrated idiot. Best of all, the setting is sublime. Every section of the game is a gorgeous piece of art. Explorers rejoice!

    The funny thing, I'm not much of a puzzle gamer. I even skipped Myst. I am very glad I didn't skip The Witness.    … Expand
  14. Allthat
    Jan 26, 2016
    10
    The Witness is a puzzle game that essentially revolves around only one type of puzzle. Although there are variations to it, you’ll basically spend your time going around solving finger maze puzzles. However there is an environmental element to the puzzles where you’ll find solutions in the world around you. That in my opinion is a really clever implementation by Jonathan Blow (the geniusThe Witness is a puzzle game that essentially revolves around only one type of puzzle. Although there are variations to it, you’ll basically spend your time going around solving finger maze puzzles. However there is an environmental element to the puzzles where you’ll find solutions in the world around you. That in my opinion is a really clever implementation by Jonathan Blow (the genius who made Braid). But don’t let finger puzzles put you off... play this game, the world of The Witness is absolutely breathtaking and there is a good story behind all the puzzles even though it is quite subtle.
    In my honest opinion this game is better than The Talos Principle and is on par if not better than the original Myst Games. However my biggest concern is the price, 40 dollars is just too much for an indie game with only one mechanic. The game itself however is an absolute joy and possibly one of the games of the year.    … Expand
  15. bearcav
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    The Witness is the Dark Souls of puzzle games and a revival of classic head-scratchers like Myst.

    This game is polarizing - just look at the critic reviews to see that. You either love banging your head against really tough puzzles until you get that awesome feel-good revelation, or you don't. I'm in the former camp, and I'm enjoying this more than I've enjoyed just about any other game    The Witness is the Dark Souls of puzzle games and a revival of classic head-scratchers like Myst.

    This game is polarizing - just look at the critic reviews to see that. You either love banging your head against really tough puzzles until you get that awesome feel-good revelation, or you don't. I'm in the former camp, and I'm enjoying this more than I've enjoyed just about any other game in years. There's zero handholding, constant twists and turns as to how puzzles can be solved, great use of the environment incorporated within the puzzles, amazing visual design, and all of this runs at 60fps the whole way through.

    I can't even begin to describe how gratifying it is to figure out one of the tougher puzzles in this game. If you don't know that feeling, or you just aren't a puzzle fan, don't buy this. For me, it's a 10, but it's strictly your-mileage-may-vary, which is welcome in an age of risk-averse game design that too often coddles the audience. Totally worth it if you're up for a challenge.    … Expand
  16. adamlandos93
    Aug 6, 2021
    10
    A game that teaches you how to intuit, be creative and develop critical thinking. It's also a game that teaches you that it's okay to not know something. I find these teachings to be invaluable.

    The Witness contains some very basic mechanics, but the way you use those mechanics can get imaginative, tricky and downright complex in all the best ways. Almost all of the puzzles are quite    A game that teaches you how to intuit, be creative and develop critical thinking. It's also a game that teaches you that it's okay to not know something. I find these teachings to be invaluable.

    The Witness contains some very basic mechanics, but the way you use those mechanics can get imaginative, tricky and downright complex in all the best ways. Almost all of the puzzles are quite intelligent too. The underlying narrative, although not the main focus, is pretty intriguing with some extremely interesting philosophical points that make you want to explore more of the mysterious and undeniably beautiful and varied island.

    The exploration aspect of the island is of equally high quality. You constantly find puzzles that you simply can't figure out how to solve or ones that contain unrecognizable symbols. The game teaches you that it's OK to walk away and try it later, once you have more clues as to what the symbols mean. But the most important thing that's happening here is that through different puzzles, you can build intuition that will help with different kinds of puzzles.

    Hence, figuring out what to do with some difficult or alien puzzles also has to do with building up your intuition. This aspect of problem solving is usually reserved for high-level non-gaming stuff, such as college-level courses and it's a delight to find that the gradual building of problem-solving intuition is a major factor in a game. Most games are all about building short-term intuition (which is not as related to critical thinking as long-term intuition) and/or smarts.

    It also teaches different ways thinking, since a good amount of the puzzles require out-of-the-box and abstract thinking. Sometimes it's not about piecing clues together to reach a unique logical conclusion (although this is a part of it too); it's also about developing different ways of thinking so that you can use educated guesses and then test those against newer and more difficult puzzles and then refining the initial guess. It almost sounds like the scientific process behind research!

    It's an intelligent but difficult game. Stick with it and you'll be rewarded. And even if you don't complete it (it's huge), you'll still have experienced one of the most original and creative pieces of art that gaming has to offer. Truly eccentric.    … Expand
  17. WeekBoxDone900p
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    The Witness is a breath of fresh air, it's a beautiful work of art. this is a open-world puzzle adventure game with a very mysterious story. this game runs at 1080p 60fps on the PS4 and it has about 30+ hours of gameplay only $39.99 on the PSN Store.
  18. JamesHarnold
    Jun 10, 2016
    10
    At first glance this game may appear to be a series of panel puzzles more at home on a mobile game. Buwhen you start loking, properly looking, and asking questions - why is this here? What does it do? Then you dicover a deep and complex network of puzzles both interesting and astounding. The best puzzle game ive ever player, though if you find the need for a meaningful story important thenAt first glance this game may appear to be a series of panel puzzles more at home on a mobile game. Buwhen you start loking, properly looking, and asking questions - why is this here? What does it do? Then you dicover a deep and complex network of puzzles both interesting and astounding. The best puzzle game ive ever player, though if you find the need for a meaningful story important then the profound and rather pretentious ending do leave a bad taste. However I liked the ending in a sense.… Expand
  19. teflonminne
    Feb 2, 2016
    10
    I've had my mind blown to shatters more times than i can count playing through this absolute, undeniable MASTERPIECE that is The Witness. This is THE best game i've ever played, and i've been a heavy gamer since -89. The staggering amount of love and attention to detail that is present is simply... amazing. I'm at a loss for words, and i get more and more sad that i'm getting closer andI've had my mind blown to shatters more times than i can count playing through this absolute, undeniable MASTERPIECE that is The Witness. This is THE best game i've ever played, and i've been a heavy gamer since -89. The staggering amount of love and attention to detail that is present is simply... amazing. I'm at a loss for words, and i get more and more sad that i'm getting closer and closer to finishing everything that is known to exist within the game.

    I cannot find one single tiny thing wrong or bad with it, not a one. This is a unique, singular experience that i wished i could experience again, and again.

    I would even venture so far as to say that this game has made my life better just by me playing it, listening to all audio logs, experiencing this multitude of awakenings when i reveal a new pattern, learn a new rule, figure out a new puzzle just to find another treasure trove of complexity inside. And throughout the experience i'm constantly reminded in various subtle forms to take it slow, be patient, appreciate the journey more than the goal, which is exactly what i hold most dear after all of this..

    Some has expressed a disliking of the end (even the "secret" end), i on the other hand found it to be EXACTLY what it should have been. The goal was never the ending, if you stared at the goal the entire time you missed the whole thing. If you failed to experience the now, each moment, you actually missed out.

    I tip my hat in deepest thanks to Jonathan and the rest of the team at Thekla. Thank you for this amazing journey. 10/10.    … Expand
  20. JoeB777
    Jan 30, 2016
    10
    This gave me not be for everyone. But if you like puzzles, or think you might like puzzles, and appreciate innovative and intricate game design. And want to try something that is truly different from what you've done before, then take a look. To speak for myself: it's my game of the year.
  21. lucasisback
    Mar 18, 2016
    10
    The witness might sound boring when judging by its cover, but hidden within it is pure masterpiece artwork. The Witness makes you think in many ways that inspire awe and bring achievement with every solution. The witness has a very deep and artistic meaning to it that(with all the game play) is explained in such indirect magnificence, that at times, its messages are profoundlyThe witness might sound boring when judging by its cover, but hidden within it is pure masterpiece artwork. The Witness makes you think in many ways that inspire awe and bring achievement with every solution. The witness has a very deep and artistic meaning to it that(with all the game play) is explained in such indirect magnificence, that at times, its messages are profoundly electrifying. In a few instances, it went as far as to make me feel an electric knowledge intensity of the news about a dead loved one. All this combined with master crafted puzzles and scenery give this game a top end 10/10. Not a single flaw, "literally".… Expand
  22. justwoe
    Jan 28, 2016
    10
    What a wonderful game. The mapping of "real" world - the island - to the puzzles is hugely satisfying every time. The Witness treats learning, gaining knowledge, and mapping it to make sense of the world around you as it's basic material. It gets to the core of learning like no other game. Very much recommended (but obviously I'm into this sort of thing).
  23. Dreizehn
    Feb 18, 2016
    10
    This game is an amazing experience that worth playing for every fan of mystery games and puzzle games. The difficulty is well handle, al the puzzle are interesting and never repetitive and the ambiance and charisma of the world (the island) is incredible well created. This game is a master piece and a piece of art.
  24. Kadasma
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    For the casual observer: "Oh this is just a stupid puzzle game wtf is even the point of the open world, don't understand the puzzles, how is it connected to the world? this game sucks 0/10"
    For the mindful and intellectual observer, this game combines art with logic rarely seen in video games. Let me iterate the game's art aspects, the island was designed to offer various viewpoints which    For the casual observer: "Oh this is just a stupid puzzle game wtf is even the point of the open world, don't understand the puzzles, how is it connected to the world? this game sucks 0/10"
    For the mindful and intellectual observer, this game combines art with logic rarely seen in video games. Let me iterate the game's art aspects, the island was designed to offer various viewpoints which could serve as standalone paintings, the environment and architecture is just so beautifully rendered. It serves as a peaceful backdrop for its challenging puzzles. For every puzzle you couldn't solve, you'll always be greeted by a beautiful. The Witness respects your intelligence and time.    … Expand
  25. obstropolos
    Jan 26, 2016
    10
    The Witness is a stunningly beautiful and deviously difficult game. I was afraid that I had hyped myself up far too much after playing his excellent puzzle-platformer, Braid, which was his claim-to-fame in the world of indie games. However, I'm thrilled to say that The Witness does not disappoint!
    Beware of reviewers who say that the game mechanic is completely the same throughout the    The Witness is a stunningly beautiful and deviously difficult game. I was afraid that I had hyped myself up far too much after playing his excellent puzzle-platformer, Braid, which was his claim-to-fame in the world of indie games. However, I'm thrilled to say that The Witness does not disappoint!
    Beware of reviewers who say that the game mechanic is completely the same throughout the entire game. They most likely have not explored enough to reach the more interesting parts of the island. The Witness becomes even more intriguing as you start interacting more and more with your environment. I really love the idea that "the only key is knowledge": although this means you'll spend a lot of time sitting in front of panels, thinking, "I wonder what that does," the reward once you finally have all the knowledge necessary to solve it is unbeatable.
    To be fair, though, it is a rather heady game. Don't expect any hand holding, and expect to be frustrated.    … Expand
  26. eys
    Feb 13, 2016
    10
    CURRENTLY 35 HOURS ON PS4, NOT COMPLETED.

    400 puzzles completed so far (PS4), so still have much to do, but I absolutely love The Witness. Some people may be turned off by the "line puzzles," wondering the need for the world itself around them. But for many, there are reasons. Big reasons. Here the environment is the puzzle, the panel is where you put your answer. Explaining any further    CURRENTLY 35 HOURS ON PS4, NOT COMPLETED.

    400 puzzles completed so far (PS4), so still have much to do, but I absolutely love The Witness. Some people may be turned off by the "line puzzles," wondering the need for the world itself around them. But for many, there are reasons. Big reasons. Here the environment is the puzzle, the panel is where you put your answer. Explaining any further would spoil them.

    There are also puzzles that don't use the environment, teaching you many of the rules of this game that will be used and built upon in the future. It won't tell you how to do them though, this game is as much about learning the puzzle as it is about solving the puzzle. But the answers are there. It can be a very hard game when it wants to, but it's never unfair. If you're stuck, the open world is great to look around and solve other puzzles.

    And the art direction is just incredible, sometimes I'll just stare at how pretty everything is. You'll quickly notice the amount of detail put into it and how much thought was put into where and how everything was placed. I mean, look at this small blog post:

    http://the-witness.net/news/2015/06/polishing-the-architecture/

    Don't expect much story, though you can piece some together. This game is pure puzzle. No hand holding and no "Good jobs." A game about observation, epiphany and logic that wants you to learn instead of being told. If you like puzzles, especially difficult ones, play it.    … Expand
  27. nightmancomes
    Jan 29, 2016
    10
    The amount of work went into this is astonishing. People need to realize that it's not a game that you are supposed to rush through, finish as fast as you can. You should play it from time to time, you can finish it in 6 months if you want to, playing it whenever you feel like giving your mind a challange, giving yourself something to think on. Stop crying because it's too hard, becauseThe amount of work went into this is astonishing. People need to realize that it's not a game that you are supposed to rush through, finish as fast as you can. You should play it from time to time, you can finish it in 6 months if you want to, playing it whenever you feel like giving your mind a challange, giving yourself something to think on. Stop crying because it's too hard, because you can't finish the game in 2 days. This game is not made to be rushed through in 2 days, or a week, you just take your time and enjoy the admiring work went into making these beatiful puzzles. I also think it would make a great game to play with your friends, everyone putting some input and solving puzzles together sounds like it would be fun.… Expand
  28. tobr
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    The Witness is a multilayered game, with a lot more gameplay than meets the eye. The difficulty varies from puzzle to puzzle - from the trivial to the wicked. The maze puzzle panels might seem off-putting at first glance, but they are a kind of vehicle for the gameplay. Many of them can barely even be called "puzzles", because their purpose is not exactly to be hard to solve.

    This is a    The Witness is a multilayered game, with a lot more gameplay than meets the eye. The difficulty varies from puzzle to puzzle - from the trivial to the wicked. The maze puzzle panels might seem off-putting at first glance, but they are a kind of vehicle for the gameplay. Many of them can barely even be called "puzzles", because their purpose is not exactly to be hard to solve.

    This is a game that rewards patience, curiosity and observation, and not with glittering candy, but with thoughts and ideas.    … Expand
  29. Amambay
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    Polarizing -- Divisive. That's what The Witness is. Much like Myst, its spiritual predecessor, The Witness is a game that you'll either love or hate, and either way you wouldn't be wrong. You see it in the reviews, almost entirely positive or negative.

    With regard to production values, The Witness was put together by a perfectionist, who spent the last seven years with a small team of    Polarizing -- Divisive. That's what The Witness is. Much like Myst, its spiritual predecessor, The Witness is a game that you'll either love or hate, and either way you wouldn't be wrong. You see it in the reviews, almost entirely positive or negative.

    With regard to production values, The Witness was put together by a perfectionist, who spent the last seven years with a small team of artists and programmers making sure the game was exactly as he wanted it. Still, what you think of the graphics and technical aspects of the game will also depend on your opinion of the game overall.

    As you likely already know, The Witness is a game about solving puzzles, set on a vibrantly colored and mysterious island, void of any characters other than the player, the puzzles, and the island itself. The puzzles are all variations on the same format of finding the correct way to solve a maze, and by successfully doing so opening up new areas, opening doors, and activating contraptions.

    The Witness reminds me very much of 1993's Myst. A deserted island, a lone character solving puzzles, mysteries to be discovered and solved with no explanation or introduction. If you loved Myst, you'll love The Witness. If you hated Myst, then, well, you know what you'll think of The Witness.

    If you're the type of person who enjoys quietly solving puzzles to solve mysteries, The Witness is a game for you. If you demand action, a story with a wide cast of characters, a vast open world to adventure, then The Witness is probably not for you.

    Don't get The Witness hoping to find something that isn't there. The Witness wasn't made to appeal to everyone and sell in huge numbers. It was made for the kind of people who enjoy what I've described. If you don't like Heavy Metal, don't buy a Heavy Metal album... if you don't like Hip Hop, don't buy some Hip Hop... and if you don't like quiet puzzle solving, don't play The Witness.    … Expand
  30. JadedBuddhist
    Jan 27, 2016
    10
    The Witness is fantastic. If you liked braid you'll love The Witness. The reason for the polarizing scores is some people don't like puzzle games. This game is a puzzle gaming masterpiece! Expect to figure things out yourself without hand holding.
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PS4 Game of 2016
24
#24 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016
23
#23 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 82 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 82
  3. Negative: 2 out of 82
  1. GameSpew
    Apr 15, 2016
    80
    The sound from completing a panel is extremely satisfying, and I’ve followed it with a victory dance more times than I’d like to admit.
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  2. IGN Denmark
    Apr 6, 2016
    85
    Built immensely smartly, the puzzle elements are both captivating and creepily addictive.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Mar 31, 2016
    90
    A best-in-class puzzler that in no way caters to the lowest common denominator. Punishingly difficult. Extremely rewarding. [April 2016, p68]
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