The game resets all your progress upon completion!

In a weirdly twisted understanding of the New Game+ concept, all that you keep when starting a new game is your real-life understanding of how the puzzles work. So, make screenshots!

While it may be true that it never really says "New Game+" anywhere, the way the game teases more content via inaccessible areas that you can see but not reach imo kinda implies that this still is a New Game+ of some sort.

That's the thing: technically, you *can* reach those "inaccessible" areas already on your first playthru. The only thing blocking that path are hard puzzles and yet undiscovered secret exploratory ways. – *If only* the game didn't decide to be an asshole and reset everything without warning.

I'm usually against most forms of spoilers but this is something that I feel everyone who wants to reach the end should know. Because having to redo a hard puzzle; a puzzle you already wrapped your head around for hours, if not days; a puzzle that you've already solved before; but this time you have to do it *while being angry* – it's frustrating, it's torture, it's bullshittery deluxe. It is bad design.

Now, as for the actual game: Lovely! Memorable! Wonderful! A contrast that may be hard to believe. Aside from a few elements that simply aren't for me (like the nature of the puzzles during the "Peer Gynt run"), I like the overall design very much – which is, I would consider, a well-crafted combination of abstract puzzle solving and mellow exploration.

And "The Witness" is definitely a gem for explorers. For one, the island has several beautiful vistas (even on the lowest settings) which is one of the reasons to examine every possible corner. But the more time you spend on the island, the more you're going to discover how many things are hidden in plain sight. The secrecy is so dense! "Collectible" audio clips presenting philosophical quotes about science are just one of many treasures that you can find. Personally, even 72+ hours in I was still discovering new things.

The puzzles themselves are easy at first, obviously – but once you leave (what I call) the fort, you gain access to the majority of the island at once. Therefore, you might be overwhelmed by the options and the sudden spike in difficulty as you possibly encounter a few confusing puzzles with foreign new mechanics. Rest assured, however, that for every mechanic there is a respectful, non-textual, no-hand-holding, non-immersion-breaking, learn-while-you-play, in-game tutorial *somewhere* on this island. And that, my friend, is good design.

"The Witness" might not be a game for everyone but enjoyed it immensely.

Best PC Game of 2016: The Witness (Runners-Up: Obduction, Firewatch)

Less than a week before release and they FINALLY are listing the price.