This game is a tad too clever for it's own good at times. There's some really cool and intuitive puzzles that really test your wits and your observation skills. But those strengths are also the game's biggest weakness imo. It might be beating a dead horse because i've heard this same complaint from many other people regarding this game. But the auditory puzzles had given me a hard time. I dunno if i'm tone deaf, but i really struggled to even grasp those puzzles. I couldn't even say with confidence how i solved them. Also was not terribly fond of how fiddly many of the puzzles seemed to be... figuring out the magic pixel to stand on didn't feel like a fun or engaging puzzle solution. It felt frustrating because i knew how to solve the puzzle, yet i could not solve it. My experience with this game was incredibly dual faced. When i was having fun with it, i was having a lot of fun with it. but it was absolutely miserable to play otherwise

The most gorgeous and atmospheric puzzle game I’ve ever played. I only got help maybe max 10 times, and I only got the base ending because I am tired of my brain hurting in such a specific way. Although nice; I find some of the video clips and audio files to be a bit pretentious, like your Psych/English major friend trying to show off. Really loved the subtle world building and how diverse each of the biomes were. Finally getting a puzzle you have been chipping away at for 30 minutes is very satisfying and makes up for the rest of the game where I was occasionally just banging my head against the wall. Don’t think I’ll go back and do the non mandatory sections, but who knows.

I was waiting for the “right” price on The Witness, and even better, it was free on PS+. It received plenty of praise and Game of the Year accolades when it released, so I knew I wanted to play it eventually, but I’m not a puzzle guy. For this reason, I waited for it to drop.

Oh boy, this is hitting me in a way I didn’t expect. First off, what an absolutely stunning game in terms of look and design. I’m not sure how invested I will be in this puzzle world in terms of a potential plot ala Portal, but it at least gives vibes that there could be something under the surface that pulls me forward.


The puzzles so far are just right. They ease you in pretty well, but if you find one before you are ready, it will definitely leave you scratching your head. As eager as I am to run around the island solving its many mysteries, I’m afraid in running across something to big for my britches.

Jonathan Blow is a smart man. Whether you find him pretentious or not is another issue, but there is no denying his ability at game design along with interesting mechanics. I look forward to playing through The Witness in a way I didn’t think I would when I eventually bought it.

Jonathan Blow as a person notwithstanding, this game's pretty solid. It's not insanely dense or anything, but it's a nice change of pace from games in general. I like the quiet atmosphere and slow pacing, I like the nearly-pointless philosophical musings scattered around, I love The Moment in it which would be criminal to spoil.

Its story is minimal, even debatably nonexistent, but it's certainly a compelling experience provided you're not one to get bored to death by it. Personally, I like the wandering around and the scribbling solutions into inscrutable notes, the little obsession the game can breed into first-time players. It's just pretty unique.