‘The Witness’ brings Myst to the modern gaming scene

Ask a PC gamer what their favorite puzzle game is, and you might be surprised how many people blurt out Myst. A cult classic, Myst provided us with hours upon hours of first-person puzzling fun. But it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a Myst title, although there have been a few developers that have tried to make their own homage to the classic. Jonathan Blow is the latest individual to take a crack at this formula. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he is the creative mind behind the highly-popular Indie game Braid. His creation, The Witness, is perhaps the closest thing we have seen to a traditional Myst release, complete with an interesting story arc and a massive group of puzzles to solve.

I’m  not using the word “massive” lightly here. The Witness features over 500 different puzzles. All of these mind-benders work in unison with one another to create an ever-evolving environment. Solving one puzzle will simply unlock your way towards the next. It should take you quite a while to sift through all of the puzzles here, as The Witness offers approximately 40 hours worth of solving. Thankfully, there is an interesting story here to help underline your struggles, and should break up any monotony you come across. There is much to see, do, and discover across world of The Witness.

You’ll find yourself trapped on a mysterious island. Although the “waking from an unconscious state and being struck with amnesia” is a bit cliche, The Witness manages to add enough little twists and turns to craft its own unique story. As you make your way around the island and solve the puzzles that stand in your way, you’ll unlock bits and clues. Piecing together your past is an important part of the journey, but it can be rather easy to get distracted. The island is vast, and the visuals offer a lot of depth and beauty. You may find yourself enamored enough by your surroundings to take a little side-trip towards some vantage points. If you really take the time to slow down and enjoy all there is to see and do within The Witness, it will really elongate the experience.

A lot of famous names lend their voices to The Witness, and sound plays an important part in the release. You may recognize speech by Phil LaMarr, Terra Deva, Matthew Waterson, and Ashley Johnson. The Witness definitely fills a void left by Myst, and it fills it very well. With so much to do, puzzles that will challenge your mind, a beautiful landscape, and an interesting mystery, The Witness is definitely one of the best puzzle-based Indie games we’ve seen in some time. If you’re interested in getting more information regarding The Witness, be sure to check out the dedicated website here. This title is available right now for $39.99 from Steam and on the PS4 store. An iOS version is in the works and should be available sometime later this year. The price tag may seem a little high for an Indie title, but it’s well worth it for the amount of game you’re getting. The Witness should keep you entertained for hours on end.