The Witness

First-person open-world puzzle game where observation replaces written instructions

Thekla, Inc. · Released Jan 26, 2016

Reviews: Very Positive; 84% of 21K
Recent reviews: Very Positive; 82% of 129 in 30 days
Playing now: 89; peak 24h 101
Steam Deck: Playable
Last update: 3 years ago; Jun 1, 2023

What is The Witness?

A single-player, first-person puzzle adventure set on a strange open island with dozens of locations and more than 500 puzzles. You roam between areas, draw paths through puzzle panels, and search for clues about your identity and a way home.

For you if...

+you enjoy demanding logic puzzles and quiet exploration
+you like switching areas whenever one puzzle blocks you
+you prefer discovering rules without written instructions

Not for you if...

−you want action or a brisk, directed pace
−you dislike abstract line puzzles with minimal interaction
−you are looking for multiplayer

What players say

84% of 21,412 reviews are positive · 82% of 129 in the last 30 days

Players praise the puzzle variety, satisfying breakthroughs, and environmental secrets hidden across the island. They commonly criticize obscure rule leaps, sparse or pretentious storytelling, and puzzles that can halt progress; several also cite color, sound, and flashing-pattern challenges as accessibility barriers.

Screenshots and trailer

The Witness system requirements

As published by the developer.

Minimum

OS: Windows 7
Processor: 1.8GHz
Graphics: Intel HD 4000 series
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Storage: 5 GB available space
DirectX: Version 10

PC version details

DRM, required accounts, controller support and Steam features.

DRM: None declared on Steam
Controller: Keyboard and mouse
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Achievements: 2
Steam features: Cloud saves, Family Sharing

Steam Deck: Playable

The launcher or setup tool may need the touchscreen or virtual keyboard
All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
Shows Steam Deck controller icons
In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck
External controllers are not supported for the primary player

Multiplayer and co-op

Single-player

Languages

Full audio: English. Text only: French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Portuguese - Portugal, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Hungarian.