The Witness Review (astreamuser)
People have compared it to The Talos Principle or the Portal. Those games are linear and have a simple story that has almost nothing to do with the actual puzzles, which are complex and independent from each other for the most part. You can solve one puzzle today and come back 10 days later to solve another one. Pretty straightforward.
On the other hand, The Witness is clearly inspired by the Myst series. There's no story, at least this is how it looks on the surface. The individual puzzles are simpler, but what you learn from solving a specific group often proves useful in other puzzles. You need to take your time and explore the world, carefully observe your surroundings, discover things, solve puzzles, and finally, use what you've learned to connect the pieces.
The game aims to strike a balance between exploration and puzzle-solving. The island is divided into multiple regions, each featuring a set of challenges grouped around a common theme. If the player encounters difficulty with a particular puzzle, they have the flexibility to bypass it and explore other parts of the island. This design creates a highly non-linear gaming experience, allowing players to gradually expand their knowledge of the world. Armed with newfound insights, they can return to previously challenging puzzles and solve them, a core distinction from other games like Myst. Importantly, players are not penalized for being unable to complete a puzzle; progress can still be made, and the game can be successfully completed even with some puzzles left unsolved.
Now, not all puzzles are easy to identify. The most common ones are found on panels within specific regions, typically grouped together and must be completed in a sequential order, with the complexity of the puzzles gradually increasing. This process aids the player in making sense of the rules. However, in some cases, the solution does not depend on the information presented on the panel. In such instances, players usually seek environmental clues.
In addition to the standard panel puzzles, the game also includes numerous purely environmental hidden puzzles. Unlike the standard panel puzzles, these puzzles are not solved in the traditional sense but are discovered as part of the gameplay.
So what is The Witness? Is it just a simple puzzle game? Not at all. It's one of those experiences where the process of solving puzzles and uncovering the island's secrets is as rewarding as reaching the end. Ultimately, it is a game that reminds us that we should live in the moment; it's the journey that matters, not the destination. It's peaceful, relaxing, and challenging at the same time. Are you stuck? Take a break—perhaps move on to another area, or simply pause for a moment to enjoy the serene landscape. Its phenomenal attention to detail makes it feel like a piece of art, and in a sense, it is. The more you play, the more you realize that there are things that you missed because you weren't paying enough attention.
It's crucial to emphasize that this game isn't tailored for everyone. If you approach it solely as a race to solve puzzles on panels and rush towards the end, chances are it won't resonate with you. However, if you're the type of player who relishes taking their time, finding joy in games rich with exploration, and appreciating them as an art form, then The Witness might be the perfect fit for you.
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* Due to the non linear nature of the game, taking long breaks should be avoided. You do need regular breaks though as solving those panel puzzles can easily get hectic.
** If you have a color vision deficiency, some puzzles will pose an extra challenge. Search online and the Steam forums for any relevant info.