The Witness has been in development for several years, delayed multiple times, and caused a bit of recent controversy with its price tag. Jonathan Blow, creator of the classic indie darling Braid, even went into debt to finish the game.
It seems, however, that the amount of content in-game makes up for the asking price of $40. Reviewers are praising The Witness for its well-executed integration of its thematic elements and game mechanics. The world sounds mysterious and interesting to explore, and its 700 or so puzzles are well-designed, according to most critics. Some found the repetition of a relatively simple maze, through its various forms, frustrating as the game goes on.
Most who have played it say that the game takes anywhere between 20-40 hours to reach the end, but some claim upwards of 80 hours spent in the game without solving every mystery.
Check out the review scores from most major outlets below:
IGN – 10/10
GameSpot – 9/10
Polygon – 8/10
Destructoid – 10/10
Gamesradar – 3/5 Stars
The Escapist – 4/5 Stars
The Telegraph – 5/5 Stars
Game Informer – 9.25/10
If this peculiar mix of puzzles, exploration, and story sounds right up your alley, you download the game starting tomorrow, January 26, on PlayStation 4 and PC.