Developer(s) – Thekla Inc
Publisher(s) – Thekla Inc
Director – Jonathan Blow
Producer – Jonathan Blow
PEGI – 3
Created by Jonathan Blow, the man behind the classic indie title Braid, and released back in 2016 following an initially planned release on seventh-generation hardware, The Witness is a first-person open-world puzzle game requiring the player to solve a plethora of puzzles throughout in order to progress to new areas across a variety of different themed locations throughout. At first glance, I actually thought that I would hate this game; like it would be another generic story-driven title with a minimalist amount of things to do. Similar to Proteus or Gone Home. However, after playing it, I ended up enjoying it much more than I thought I would for various reasons.
Graphics – 8/10
First of all the visuals, though not quite cutting edge on a technical level, are wonderfully varied and well throughout out on a conceptual level. Each area of the world map focuses on a central theme. For example, there is one based on Japanese culture, one on Ancient Egyptian culture, etc. How each area is additionally integrated into the gameplay is also unique on a level that I’ve rarely seen in gaming. Jonathan Blow used similar traits whilst developing Braid. But to see these traits implemented in a 3D open-world game as opposed to a 2D side scroller is particularly interesting.
Gameplay – 7/10
The Witness revolves around the player having to solve a base series of puzzles in order to progress through the game. In addition to a series of main set puzzles in each area, there is also a plethora of hidden puzzles players can encounter. In many cases, the player must use surrounding areas of the world around them in order to solve. For example, simple things like tree branches can be angled in front of a puzzle in order to reveal a solution. And designs of buildings in a lot of cases are also the basis of entire puzzles within the game.
Although the entire objective of the game can become repetitive after a while, the puzzles within are varied to the point that they will quite easily hold the player’s interest for the duration. Puzzles primarily center around interacting with computer screens throughout the in-game world and drawing lines through on-screen obstacles to get from the start point to the endpoint. But over time, different elements are introduced such as having to draw two lines at once. And drawing them through and around different obstacles on each screen.
Controls – 10/10
The control scheme is that of any standard first-person video game centering on only a few basic functions. As such poses no unnecessary complications. Getting to grips with the controls is particularly straightforward. Though there may not be as much innovation in this aspect of the game as there is in the core gameplay mechanics, it’s simply a reassurance that the developers were able to get the fundamentals right before developing the game into what it became.
Lifespan – 9/10
Another aspect of this game that I was particularly surprised with was how long it lasted. Normally, with games like this with no combat elements or other additional gameplay mechanics of well-known titles, they only tend to last less no more than a few hours given how little there is to do in them. Games like Journey, Shape of the World, and Contrast. But contrary to that. Although there is only essentially one objective in this game, it can be made to last hours upon hours since, despite this one objective, it takes a great deal of time to accomplish 100%. Even completing the main story mode can take up to 25 hours. I was impressed with this title, as well as surprised, because of this.
Storyline – 6/10
In The Witness, there isn’t actually a forward-going narrative, and therefore, nothing exists to resolve itself. Rather, the game focuses more on the back story and is left quite open to interpretation in this respect. The world that exists within it clearly has some kind of history attached to it, given certain elements such as the natural formations and abundant evidence of man-made civilization based on numerous different cultures. But what that history is exactly isn’t really explained in a definitive way. But this in and of itself gives the game its own relatively exciting dimension. If the point of art is truly to create debate, then this game can potentially do a good job of that.
Originality – 8/10
In the circle of independent game development, in particular, The Witness stands out from many in a lot of different ways, on a technical, graphical, and fundamental scale. It provides the player with a unique twist on puzzle-solving. And lasts a great longer than many games of the same ilk. I was pleasantly surprised by this game in most of every aspect. And it’s been a while since I’ve experienced an example of this. Particularly throughout the eighth generation of gaming, very few games have taken me by surprise as this one has.
Happii
In summation, The Witness is a vast, enjoyable, and refreshing gaming experience that I’m happy to say that I can recommend after playing it myself. Jonathan Blow had already earned a well-deserved spot in the history of independent development with Braid. But this game is a clear further example of what innovation he is capable of presenting to players.