The Witness

 PC
The Witness Image
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 683 Ratings

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  • Summary: You awaken, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that challenge and surprise you. You can't remember who you are, and you don't remember how you came to be here, but there's one thing you can do: explore the island in hope of discovering clues, regaining your memory, and somehowYou awaken, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that challenge and surprise you. You can't remember who you are, and you don't remember how you came to be here, but there's one thing you can do: explore the island in hope of discovering clues, regaining your memory, and somehow finding your way home. The Witness is a single-player game in an open world with dozens of locations to explore and over 500 puzzles to solve. This game respects you as an intelligent player and it treats your time as precious. There's no filler; each of those puzzles brings its own new idea into the mix.… Expand

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The Witness Announcement Trailer (PS4)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Time
    Jan 25, 2016
    100
    The Witness feels like the fulfillment of that dynamic, a way of ingeniously hiding locks and keys and entire modes of inquiry in plain sight. Blow’s triumph lies in his insight into the thresholds of human perspective, how information travels and agglomerates, and how, given the right frame of mind, any of us might move mountains.
  3. ActionTrip
    Feb 4, 2016
    93
    This is one of those genuinely special experiences that, at least in the case of Blow’s track record, only come along once a generation. Be sure not to miss out on this instant classic.
  4. Gamer.nl
    Feb 11, 2016
    85
    This world is made to challenge the player and make the player feel proud. That works well on this island full of puzzles, which uses riddles to form an interesting story.
  5. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 7, 2016
    80
    The Witness is a unique, complex and brilliantly designed puzzle that won't resonate with every player. 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.
  6. The Daily Dot
    Jan 25, 2016
    80
    I'm not upset about how inaccessible so much of The Witness felt for me. I feel sad, because I think The Witness is an experience a lot of people are going to enjoy figuring out, whereas I'm going to need more hints to get through it.
  7. Games.cz
    Feb 2, 2016
    60
    The Witness is an excellent trainer of a wit and logical thinking. Just don’t expect anything more from this game. Puzzles miss any ideas, they are served without a feeling and -oddly enough- quite illogically.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 133
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 133
  3. Negative: 28 out of 133
  1. 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 itYes, 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.… Expand
  2. IslingtonA
    Feb 10, 2016
    10
    This is the best puzzle game ever made. It is also one of my top 5 games of any genre. It is absolutely *not* the same puzzle over and over,This is the best puzzle game ever made. It is also one of my top 5 games of any genre. It is absolutely *not* the same puzzle over and over, as others have said. I guess they just didn't play far enough? The environment and the "maze" puzzles are bound to and inseparable from one another. Neither could exist or would make sense without the other. This is increasingly true the further into the game you get. If you like puzzles you really must play this game. The Witness is a true classic. People will still be talking about and playing this game ten years down the road. How many games can claim that?… Expand
  4. KillingArts
    Jan 26, 2016
    10
    If you like puzzle games and are up for a challenge, The Witness is your game. A beautiful island full of hundreds of little puzzles awaitsIf you like puzzle games and are up for a challenge, The Witness is your game. A beautiful island full of hundreds of little puzzles awaits you. And although all puzzles look pretty similar, if you see them on screenshots, there is a lot of variation. Also, while there is no traditional story, there are little story pieces to be discovered, scattered around the world. The Witness may not be a game for everyone, but it most certainly is one for me. ;)… Expand
  5. ExpertPL
    Nov 11, 2016
    9
    It's one of the best games I played this year. But first thing you need to know is that it's not for everyone. Everything you find hereIt's one of the best games I played this year. But first thing you need to know is that it's not for everyone. Everything you find here involves puzzles and creative thinking, if it's not what you like in games, than this game propably is not for you. For the fans of puzzle games, it's certainly a must-have game. With this being said, I never liked puzzle games, but this one changed my mind. Also, I definitely recommend finishing this game with 100%.… Expand
  6. Germashko
    Jan 29, 2016
    7
    It's a game that could only been made by great mind, but not a great game. You can see how it's incredibly complex at one thing, but also howIt's a game that could only been made by great mind, but not a great game. You can see how it's incredibly complex at one thing, but also how it's so primitive in other things. It's a unique game - for sure, but it was made with a tunnel vision.… Expand
  7. toronto_puzzler
    Apr 3, 2016
    5
    This is a beautiful game, but vastly disappointing. I came to it looking for something in the vein of the Myst series. Unfortunately, thisThis is a beautiful game, but vastly disappointing. I came to it looking for something in the vein of the Myst series. Unfortunately, this lacks Myst's humor, drama, inspiration, and variety. In particular, all of the puzzles take the same shape, that of a maze. More importantly, there's no payoff for solving any puzzle - just more puzzles to slog through. There's no story, no interaction with characters, no sudden reveals, no notes - in general, no pleasure. The world is strikingly beautiful, which provides some time for appreciation. But there's no long-term enjoyment in such a static environment. I stopped playing after 8-12 hours.… Expand
  8. Cech
    May 16, 2017
    0
    Cute and funny
    Repetative, but sometimes immersive
    Amazing gameplay and awesome effect of mistery Puzzles are the best i've ever seen in    Cute and funny
    Repetative, but sometimes immersive
    Amazing gameplay and awesome effect of mistery
    Puzzles are the best i've ever seen in games, would recoomend this game to everyone, it is 10 points

    10/1000    … Expand

See all 133 User Reviews

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