Viewfinder Reviews
Viewfinder is one of the most complete and compelling puzzlers in years with a unique hook that seperates it from the rest of the pack. The aesthetics are mind-melting and the concepts are dazzling, despite the short length and the ease at which you can cruise through the game. All told, Viewfinder is one you won’t soon forget and a game we’ll look back on with the greatest fondness for generations to come.
Viewfinder is a short and sharp exploration of a strong concept that builds an unimposing space to play with those ideas, and fosters a mild, continual hum of gratification as you go on that journey. A pleasant exercise in gently massaging your brain synapses, it’s like a brisk refreshment that leaves you feeling slightly more satisfied when you’re done.
It’s ironic that a game all about breathing life into pictures can’t breathe life into its own core mechanic. Witnessing a flat picture expand into something tangible or using photography to reposition the existing stage is a technical marvel that hardly goes beyond being just a visual spectacle. These systems deserve much more than that, but, like film lacking contrast, it’s underdeveloped and only a faint outline of what it should be.
With its intelligent puzzles and interesting narrative, Sad Owl Studios' puzzle game leaves a lasting impression and resonates beyond its brief collection of levels.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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 is fun while it lasts and has more than one moment that will leave players with a smile on their faces. It doesn't live up to its full potential, but it's still a solid game and one that will hopefully inspire others to explore similar concepts. It's easy to see how Viewfinder's picture-to-reality idea could be huge for something like a horror game or even a first-person shooter. Applying the brilliant idea at its core to something with a better story and more content would be the makings of an instant classic. What's here is still certainly worth the price of admission, however.
A highly imaginative puzzle game whose clever concepts are frequently used in the least appealing way possible – although they're imaginative enough that the game remains engaging despite itself.
Viewfinder is a delightfully fresh and enjoyable puzzler. The unique photo dropping gimmick is implemented perfectly, and repeatedly built upon over the course of the campaign. Some elements outside of the gameplay could have used work, but this is still a solid debut effort.
Viewfinder explores an interesting concept that greatly uses perspective to build entertaining puzzles that do some really interesting things, but in the end I left the experience with the feeling that more could have been done, and some of the new mechanics introduced towards the end don't really get to shine.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Viewfinder is a puzzle game that, on the surface, does the genre justice. Starting from a remarkable concept and presented through well thought out mechanics, deep down the game is limited in developing its ideas to more complex and surprising levels. Just like the gameplay, the narrative and visual aesthetics are always pleasant and keep the appeal of quiet fun, but the undeveloped potential is very clear. Even though it's a good game while it lasts, its moderation in exploring its own limits prevents it from being memorable and putting itself alongside the great puzzle titles.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
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
Viewfinder raises and mixes a great series of mechanics where images and perspective play a crucial role to solve the puzzles that the game poses.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
An impressively-designed puzzler that'll leave an indelible mark on anyone's cerebral photo album.
Viewfinder is a beautiful example of not needing bombastic stories, realistic graphics, or a billion different ideas to make a great game. Sometimes, all it takes is one idea. Something new, something special, something extraordinary. And that's precisely how this puzzle title can be described.
Review in Czech | Read full review
The core gameplay hook of shifting reality via photography is incredibly well implemented. This results in an incredibly fun experience from start to finish.
Overall, Viewfinder is a unique puzzle game that both experienced problem solvers and fresh-faced novices will find enjoyment in. Filled with several hours of fun and plenty of hidden treasures to reveal, there is no doubt that Viewfinder is setting a new standard for creativity and innovation that should raise the bar of players' expectations out of games adjacent to it in the genre.
While slightly too short, what content Viewfinder does have is top notch and occasionally mind bending, matched with a bittersweet but relatable story about friendship, failure, and hope.
Amidst all the consistent sequels, remakes, and remasters, Viewfinder beckons to me out of the corner of my eye. It seems playful, creative, and visually stunning in a way all its own, so I can't help but love it. I've had hundreds of images merge with the game world now, and even the 101st time still leaves me intrigued by how well the perspective gameplay actually works. It doesn't take the effects fireworks of Final Fantasy XVI or the graphical opulence of a Horizon: Forbidden West to wow me on a visual level. It's also simply enough to blow my physical imagination around the spatial and let me immerse myself in it at the same time. The rather subliminal story wouldn't have even been needed there. What it would have needed, if anything, was a more challenging first third and maybe a moment or two more that would have made me less inhibited in my creativity by a clearly prescribed course of action. Viewfinder is still a wonderful experience for those who can engage in a very unique way of puzzling. And if you're unsure, play the demo!
Review in German | Read full review
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.