Viewfinder Reviews
Viewfinder is an innovative and ingenious narrative puzzle game. Not only does the story strike and leave its mark but it is a beautiful work of level and game design. In addition, it sends a precise message that touches us closely: the Earth is burning and apart from having started the fire we are doing nothing to save it.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Though the narrative setup did little for me and the occasional orientation issues mildly frustrated, Viewfinder still manages to shine through as a resolutely interesting, smart and enjoyable three-dimensional puzzler that feels like it was cut from the same, ingenious cloth as Valve's legendary Portal games. What's not to like?
While Viewfinder will leave you wanting more, it is one of the best and most unique in the genre to come out in some time, with gameplay that never gets old as it repeatedly finds ways to surprise and impress. Whether you're a casual puzzle player or have experience, Viewfinder deserves a spot in the photo album of must-play titles of the year.
Having said that, some of the puzzle design here is excellent, and the core idea is strong enough to easily keep you going throughout. Setting aside the narrative, which is pretty forgettable, this is a largely impressive, compelling puzzle game with a truly unique gameplay hook.
Viewfinder lives on games of perspectives, of encounters between photographs and three dimensions, and does not disappoint.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The background music that plays in each of the hub worlds is jazz, and it’s just as intentional as any of the photographs. Jazz is filled with spontaneous moments of harmony, which turns out to be the main ingredient and lure of Viewfinder. This is a game that, as you retrace the steps of four disparate people who did their best to save humanity, lets you riff along the way.
Viewfinder seems harmless, like a little game that you'd happily put on the pile of cool games you'd like to play some day. But that would be a mistake. It offers much more than a simple puzzle game experience. Viewfinder is innovative in more ways than one. It tries to get a number of messages across, it tries things, it leaves us free while keeping us captivated by its universe, and it offers a fascinating visual journey to anyone willing to look beyond what the main art direction suggests. Viewfinder isn't just a fun game, it's a real little nugget. No matter how you look at it.
Review in French | Read full review
Viewfinder is a beautiful and heartfelt journey that challenges the player in different ways. Perspective means everything in this game, and the challenges you face will give you a whole different view on puzzle solving games. Each puzzle is interesting and never feels repetitive or overly complicated. This game is a ton of fun, I can't recommend it enough!
Viewfinder is an incredible mind-bending puzzle game that never stops innovating and never stops being fun.
A picture might be worth a thousand words, but stepping inside a picture is worth so much more. In what is the best game of the last decade, Viewfinder places theatricality, in the form of its mystifying world and its inventive systems, at the forefront of the experience.
Viewfinder is an incredibly interesting game with a mechanic that is very easy to pick up and highly enjoyable throughout the entire runtime. If you are looking for something truly difficult, you aren't likely to find that here, but if you are interested in a short and comfy puzzle game, then Viewfinder will surely deliver.
An impressively-designed puzzler that'll leave an indelible mark on anyone's cerebral photo album.
Viewfinder is a puzzle game that invites us to reflect on perspective, optical illusions, and the manipulation of reality. The puzzles are different and presented in an uncommon and innovative manner. The adventure also has a touch of mystery surrounding it, with old recordings hinting at something beyond just the puzzles. It's charming, entertaining, and just challenging enough.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If you’re a fan of first-person puzzle games, Viewfinder should be considered essential. Sure, its story leaves something to be desired, and some of its puzzles don’t quite hit the mark. But even the worst of the bunch keep you engaged enough to see this clever little puzzle game through to the end. Never outstaying its welcome, Viewfinder has left a lasting impression on us.
Viewfinder is a rare type of game that pops up with a concept and executes it magnificently from start to end. Though some will be disappointed by its length, it's undoubtedly a memorable experience and one I can wholeheartedly recommend.
At the price point, it is worth picking up, but if you have a tight wallet and want a game with a ton of hours of gameplay, then it is better to wait until it goes on sale. Unless you hate puzzle games, you will most likely enjoy this game and enjoy the variety of puzzles.
The core gameplay hook of shifting reality via photography is incredibly well implemented. This results in an incredibly fun experience from start to finish.
Viewfinder invents an entirely new kind of puzzle, then proceeds to flip it around and explore it from every possible angle. Despite a disappointing narrative, the creativity and character packed into that simulated world is inspirational and bloody good fun.