Ten years ago, a game left an indelible mark on me. As a young, eager games journalist, I was captivated by The Witness. Its intricate puzzles and stunning island setting were irresistible. But it was the final challenge that truly tested my limits – a brutal gauntlet that nearly broke me. Conquering it felt like nothing else, a rush akin to what hardened soulsike players experience when finally defeating a seemingly impossible boss.
Unraveling The Witness’s Secrets
Jonathan Blow’s 2016 masterpiece is a treasure trove of secrets. As you explore the island, layers of complexity are revealed. At its core, The Witness presents a simple premise: solve electronic-screen mazes across diverse biomes to unlock the island’s central mystery. Each biome introduces unique rulesets, with puzzles fundamentally about tracing lines between start and end points on grids. While these environments are generally manageable, venturing off the beaten path unveils even greater challenges.
The game is undeniably challenging, but also surprisingly relaxing. The absence of distracting music or imminent threats creates a soothing atmosphere that aids in tackling the inevitable headaches. However, this tranquility shatters when you stumble upon the darkest secret – the fiendish final challenge.
“Just like a legitimate puzzle is only a puzzle if you might never figure it out, a legitimate challenge is only a challenge if you might never beat it,” said Jonathan Blow to Kotaku in 2016. And that’s precisely how this final test felt.
The Ultimate Gauntlet: Time and Pressure
There’s no easy way out of this final conundrum-filled cavern. No shortcuts, no readily available solutions. Each maze is randomly generated, demanding a fresh approach every time. To unlock the tomb-like building at the end, you must solve puzzles that are newly created with each attempt.
Even locating these mazes is a battle in itself, as they’re scattered throughout the cave, hidden high up and wrapped around pillars. While you might know the puzzle types and rules by this point, applying that knowledge under pressure is an entirely different proposition.
The challenge doesn’t stop there. You’re given just under 400 seconds – the duration of two classical compositions, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and “Anitra’s Dance,” playing back-to-back on a gramophone. That’s less than half a minute per puzzle! These aren’t simple line traces; they are complex labyrinths filled with symbols, colors, and other tricks that defy brute force.
And if you pause the game to even think about taking notes, you have to start all over again. It’s a brutal yet brilliant final challenge in a bona fide masterpiece.
A Legacy of Cerebral Discovery
The Witness offers something for everyone. You can follow the critical path and finish satisfied. Or, you can delve deeper, exploring the island’s architecture, tracing lines across it, and uncovering its allegorical messaging. Then, like 9.75% of players, you can push yourself to the absolute limit, chasing that dopamine rush that comes with a digital platinum trophy.
Since conquering The Witness, I’ve sought out similar puzzle games: The Talos Principle, Manifold Garden, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, and Blue Prince, among others. However, it was recently released Big Walk that brought back those memories most strongly. House House’s co-op adventure takes place on a similarly mysterious island, home to puzzles. While not as daunting as The Witness (at least for now), it evokes the same sense of cerebral discovery.
I’m reminded of my childhood, watching my dad play Myst, Riven, and their sequels on a chunky PC monitor. Those early experiences laid the foundation for my love of puzzle games. I was saddened to see Cyan Worlds’ latest sequel project shelved, but I hope someone will revive it someday.
Of course, speedrunners have already completed the challenge in just 80 seconds! While that might seem sickening, I still cherish my accomplishment and the euphoric moment when that platinum trophy popped up on my screen.
Last year, I faced a similar test in Death Stranding 2: delivering packages around the circumference of Australia in under 40 minutes. The first attempt ended with me stuck on a rock, six seconds short. After half an hour, I finally cracked it and secured that platinum trophy.
So, what’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in a game? Have you been chasing that thrill ever since, or do you prefer to bask in the glory of past triumphs? While I tell myself I’m too mature for such things now, deep down, I know that if I stepped back onto that island, I’d do it all over again.
Simon Cardy’s Top Puzzlers
A collection of puzzle, point-and-click, and games that generally make you think that little bit harder.
Source: IGN Gaming
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