Sooooo, this is definitely one of the games.

I like the puzzles. I think they're well designed, challenging enough and manage to teach you the mechanics. Though sometimes it felt like there were too many of them, they didn't feel too exhausting, and the more complicated puzzles that combined different mechanics felt like a good leveling system. The game is obviously inspired by Myst, not just in the island design but also in its "no handholding" approach. But I can't call it a Myst rip-off, as it definitely has more of its own thing going on. It took me around 12 hours to complete all 11 locations which is already more than enough for the normal ending. But I obviously want to explore more, and the game is really generous in that regard. The most challenging part is probably "The Challenge" (duh), which is optional but I just had to complete it (yeah, I am one of those 5% of players on Steam, I am very smart🤓). Then you get to environmental puzzles. Though I found my first one really early in the game, they really justify the existence of the whole 3D environment and amplify its beauty. The Witness is obviously a game about perspectives, and it isn't shy in demonstrating that.

But it's actually the thematic side where my issues with the game lie. The deeper you go, the more pretentious it gets. Audio logs, videos (including the infamous hour-long one) and some obvious visual elements. It's here that you realize how inseparable The Witness is from its creator (who needs no introduction, I assume). I can't say I'm a fan of Jon Blow, and I didn't really enjoy Braid. I like his ambition, but the execution always feels lackluster. And his asshole-intellectual persona seeps into his games like dirty rain water into my sneakers. The game is still enjoyable if you like puzzles, epiphanies and beautiful scenery. But the existence of some sort of a story and meta narrative that is presented in ways too complex for a simple puzzle game left me with a weird taste in my mouth. All those those moments where you can't really understand whether the game is doing the "Look at me, I am smart, deep, philosophical" or outright trolling the player with some clearly deliberate choices only intensify this weird feeling. The good thing is that it doesn't really ruins anything as you can still play the game to its normal ending and never even encounter all that stuff.

This may be one of the most ambitious games I've played. It explores so many themes yet weaves them together so seamlessly that you never feel overloaded (well, except when you're intended to be). I was literally on the edge of my seat for almost the entirety of the game and was audibly exhaling at the end of every chapter. And all the calm exploration moments were also really enjoyable. The art direction here is amazing and the locations are stunningly beautiful and unique.

The main focus of 1000xResist is storytelling and it's hard to discuss the game itself without spoilers. And I don't want to spoil it because it's still relatively new and I hope more people will play it. But the storytelling is just top-tier, it employs the gameplay and the environments in a fun and interesting way and maintains the good pacing for almost the entirety of the game.

There are so many themes and things the game touches upon. Family and generational trauma, motherhood and sisterhood, oppression and resistance, progress and class, religion and spirituality, love and betrayal. Can someone be beyond forgiveness? Can we trust our memories? Or emotions? How should we approach past crimes and mistakes as a society? And as individuals? Should the daughters be punished for the sins of their mothers? Or the sins of their sisters? Is history worth preserving, or are those who learn it doomed to repeat their mistakes and manipulate it? Should we seek retribution against the oppressors or will it just lead to more cycles of oppression? Should we abandon the past to build the future? Can we survive without leaders? Without gods? Without family? Does power corrupt, or does it just reveal? Or is it the desire for power that corrupts? Should we forgive? Or should we seek revenge even if it corrupts us? Should we persist despite pain and suffering? Is there a feeling worth getting incinerated over?

My thoughts are still a bit messy and I definitely will be thinking a lot about this game. But I loved every second of it. It made me think about many things, but more importantly, it made me feel so much more. And that's what all great art should do.