(Photo : Thekla, Inc.) "The Witness" is coming to PS4 and PC on Jan. 26, 2016. With puzzle solving mechanics inspired by "Myst," its litany of challenges could take as long as 100 hours to complete. An iOS version will also be available at a later date.
"The Witness" finally has a PS4 and PC release date, and its designer, Jonathan Blow, has provided a significant update on the game. He's revealed not only the experience's impressive length, but also a gorgeous new trailer for the occasion.
The news comes to Design & Trend via a post on PlayStation Blog. After a long period of silence, Blow has returned to lift the curtain on a project that's been in development for quite some time. It will come to PS4 and PC on Jan. 26, 2016.
"The Witness'" development has an incredibly long story that stretches back to 2009. Shortly after the immense success of Blow's multi-platform hit, "Braid," the storied designer embarked on a new project. With "Myst" as his main inspiration, Blow assembled a small team to create what has proven to be a truly epic vision. Since the team's last progress update, "The Witness" has swelled 10 times larger than originally imagined. While initially intended to provide up to 10 hours of gameplay, the end result could last up to 100 if players are willing to surrender themselves to its concept.
As of February of this year, "The Witness" was said to contain a staggering 677 puzzles dispersed across 11 different areas. In order to complete the game at its minimum requirement, players must solve at least eight of said sections. There's greater challenge involved with finishing more than that of course.
(Photo : Thekla, Inc.)
What separates "The Witness" from something like "Myst" is that, in Blow's mind, his collection of puzzles possesses a unified maze mechanic that links each one together. In 1993 when "Myst" was first introduced, its design limitations encouraged random mouse clicking to inadvertently find a solution. "The Witness" was conceptualized to address that problem.
Other than solving puzzles, one of its biggest gameplay hooks is its stunningly animated environments. It's been said that the game won't necessarily reward players in the same way most contemporary titles do. Instead, much of its joy will involve unlocking new areas and seeing new sights as gamers become more familiar with their surroundings. In fact, the ability to "witness" those environmental changes is where the project's name comes from.
Its visuals are best seen in the release date trailer above.
To reiterate, "The Witness" has a confirmed release date of Jan. 26, 2016. In addition to PS4 and PC, it has also been announced for iOS.
What do you think of the new trailer? Has its delayed release date impacted your perception of "The Witness?" Let us know in the comments section!
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