To the creator(s): Who hurt you?

(yes, I solved all the main puzzles - not the environmental ones - and finished the game) solid 3/10. Some good spots and great and had fun head-scratchers that took me a good long time to solve. Beautiful visual design. Mostly though, too many spots that were downright boring, red herrings, or just frustratingly arbitrary feeling. SEVERAL spots where it wasn't clear where to go next or what door you just unlocked (swamp and quarry have some tricky spots here). Overall, left wanting my time back.

"The Witness" is a beautifully crafted and intellectually engaging puzzle game that challenges players to think deeply while exploring its stunning open world. The game excels in providing a sense of discovery and wonder, but it also comes with its share of frustrations.

The gameplay is undoubtedly fun and rewarding, offering puzzles that test logic, observation, and pattern recognition. However, some of the puzzles, particularly those in the city area, feel overly complex or unnecessarily obtuse. The lack of clear guidance often leaves you wandering aimlessly after solving one puzzle, unsure of where to go next. This design choice encourages exploration and rewards curiosity, but it can also lead to moments of frustration. Even the audio recordings scattered throughout the world, while intriguing, don't offer much help in guiding your progress.

The minimalist approach to storytelling and the absence of explicit instructions are bold design decisions that some players will love for the sense of freedom they provide. But for others, this can make the experience feel disjointed or confusing. The lack of any kind of map or guiding system makes it easy to get lost, both physically and mentally, as you try to piece together solutions.

Despite these challenges, "The Witness" is undeniably a unique and thought-provoking experience. Its gorgeous visuals and serene environment make wandering around its island a joy, even when you're stumped by a puzzle. If you enjoy games that test your intellect and patience in equal measure, "The Witness" might be the perfect adventure for you.

Overall, I recommend this game for those who love a challenge and don't mind the occasional frustration of figuring things out on their own. Just be prepared to invest time and effort—it’s not a casual stroll in the park.

Rating: 7.5/10
Pros: Beautiful visuals, engaging puzzles, promotes exploration.
Cons: Some puzzles feel overly convoluted, lack of guidance can be frustrating.

Waited eight years to buy this for under $10 and still felt overcharged. Jonathan Blow approached this game like Elon Musk approaches car design. It has a veneer of novelty and big brain intelligence that covers up arrogance and a contempt for the work that came before.

Say what you will about the Myst series: yes, some of those puzzles were obtuse, but I cared about the world and was drawn in enough to keep going. There's no real world here, the attempt to get at something deeper through puzzles is actually pretty shallow, and by positioning this as a Game For the Smarts it feels like an insult to the legacy of environmental puzzle games that came before it. If you actually sit and watch the whole secret video the joke is ultimately on you.