| 3DNews |
Unknown |
8 / 10 |
08-13-2023 |
We definitely recommend it to all fans of inventive puzzles who do not need hardcore complexity and a powerful challenge for the brain. Connoisseurs of elegant level design |
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| AnaitGames |
Víctor Manuel Martínez García |
7 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
With its intelligent puzzles and interesting narrative, Sad Owl Studios’ puzzle game leaves a lasting impression and resonates beyond its brief collection of levels. |
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| CGMagazine |
Jordan Biordi |
9 / 10 |
07-18-2023 |
Viewfinder is an incredible mind-bending puzzle game that never stops innovating and never stops being fun. |
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| Checkpoint Gaming |
Bree Maybe |
8 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| COGconnected |
Jaina Hill |
86 / 100 |
07-27-2023 |
I did however have the best time solving its puzzles, which I’d hate to spoil here. But man, when you turn a photo upside-down and then stuff falls out of it? That moment got me to gasp. And the gravity physics were fun enough to have me playing with them until I made myself a little seasick. Viewfinder doesn’t have the tonal mastery of an exploration game like Myst, but it’s puzzles are second to none in the genre. You should definitely challenge yourself with Viewfinder, the most beguiling puzzle game of the year. |
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| Digital Spy |
Joe Draper |
4 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| Digital Trends |
Giovanni Colantonio |
4 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder is an ingenious puzzle game that wows at every turn, even if its sci-fi story stretches to find deeper meaning in its mind-bending photo hook. |
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| Easy Allies |
Daniel Bloodworth |
4.25 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder’s inventive mechanics are a reminder that some ideas can only be done in video games, and it does a great job balancing puzzles that give players freedom while still feeling satisfying and intentional. |
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| Echo Boomer |
João Canelo |
Recommended |
07-30-2023 |
More than its main mechanic, where we can bring to life all the objects we photograph, Viewfinder surprises by never losing its desire to astonish the player and provide new mechanics and puzzles throughout the campaign. |
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| Everyeye.it |
Mario Petillo |
8 / 10 |
07-18-2023 |
Viewfinder lives on games of perspectives, of encounters between photographs and three dimensions, and does not disappoint. |
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| Expansive |
Sally Willington |
6 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| Game Informer |
Kyle Hilliard |
8.3 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
The entirety of Viewfinder, including completing its optional puzzles, only takes a few hours, but its brevity is a strength. The game has no unnecessary fat where you use familiar solutions to solve slight variations of puzzles you’ve already completed. Every level feels like it is trying out a new idea based on the core concept making it a consistently novel experience throughout. |
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| Game Rant |
Dalton Cooper |
3.5 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| Gameblog |
KiKiToes |
9 / 10 |
07-23-2023 |
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. |
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| GameGrin |
Adam Grindley |
7.5 / 10 |
09-04-2023 |
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. |
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| GameSpew |
Kim Snaith |
8 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| GameSpot |
Alessandro Barbosa |
9 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder stretches its entrancing central mechanic in delightful ways, constructing an engrossing, yet brief, puzzle-adventure that shouldn’t be missed. |
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| GamesRadar+ |
Joe Donnelly |
5 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
Sad Owl Studios has delivered a puzzling experience that’s both instantly approachable and inventive enough to keep you guessing throughout. Viewfinder is simply wonderful – a breath of fresh air that shouldn’t be ignored. |
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| GameXplain |
Thomas Arnold |
Recommended |
07-17-2023 |
Video Review |
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| GamingTrend |
Cassie Peterson |
95 / 100 |
07-17-2023 |
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! |
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| GBAtemp |
Scarlet Bell |
9 / 10 |
08-23-2023 |
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. |
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| God is a Geek |
Chris White |
9 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder is a smart puzzler that pushes the boundaries between reality and challenge, building both beautiful and creative levels. |
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| Hardcore Gamer |
Jordan Helm |
4 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
Some occasional frustration with mechanics and personal expectations not met aren’t enough to prevent Viewfinder from winding up an all-round terrific debut from Sad Owl Studios. Crafting a game that is confident not only in the ideas it wants to explore, but in the execution that underpins it all. |
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| Hey Poor Player |
Cory Clark |
4.5 / 5 stars |
07-21-2023 |
While it is on the short side, what Viewfinder does is remind us that there are still universes of awesome new mechanics and concepts for gaming to explore. The ability to drop a 2D photo’s physical contents into any 3D space at any time and have it work flawlessly is something you have to experience yourself to understand. With gently ambient music, soothingly warm visuals, and a brief but thoroughly worthwhile story, you’ll be effortlessly absorbed into its magical world. Viewfinder has such a unique, well-executed premise, it takes the whole puzzle genre into the darkroom and develops it into something wonderfully new. |
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| Hobby Consolas |
Alberto Lloret |
85 / 100 |
07-17-2023 |
If you like puzzles and games with “original” mechanics, you should try Viewfinder. Its premise is as unique as it is fun. Too bad that it becomes somewhat short and does not reach its full potential almost to the end. Perhaps the studio was being reserved for a hypothetical sequel? Hopefully! |
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| IGN |
Tristan Ogilvie |
8 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
Spellbindingly surreal and stimulating to the end, Viewfinder is the freakiest form of photo mode in which every snap is a happy one. |
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| IGN Italy |
Francesco Destri |
8.7 / 10 |
08-01-2023 |
With so many ideas in visual and level design, Viewfinder is a must-have title for any puzzle game enthusiast. |
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| INDIANTVCZ |
Jan Kalný |
8 / 10 |
07-20-2023 |
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. |
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| Marooners’ Rock |
Frank V. |
8 / 10 |
08-11-2023 |
The core gameplay hook of shifting reality via photography is incredibly well implemented. This results in an incredibly fun experience from start to finish. |
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| Metro GameCentral |
GameCentral |
7 / 10 |
07-18-2023 |
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. |
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| New Game Network |
Eric Hall |
74 / 100 |
07-23-2023 |
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. |
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| Niche Gamer |
Matt Kowalski |
8.5 / 10 |
08-18-2023 |
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. |
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| Oyungezer Online |
Pelin Yiğit |
8.5 / 10 |
07-18-2023 |
Viewfinder satisfied my recent puzzle curiosity and my search for new mechanics. Perfectly executed. |
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| PC Gamer |
Robin Valentine |
87 / 100 |
07-17-2023 |
Innovative puzzle design and truly astonishing visual trickery make this puzzle game a must-play-even if it doesn’t quite have the space to make the most of its best ideas. |
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| PlayStation LifeStyle |
Michael Leri |
6 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| PlayStation Universe |
John-Paul Jones |
8 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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? |
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| Polygon |
Grayson Morley |
Recommended |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder is puzzle game heaven. You’ll never look at a Polaroid the same way again, if you’ve ever looked at a Polaroid at all. |
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| Press Start |
Brodie Gibbons |
8.5 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| PS4Blog.net |
EdEN |
8.5 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
An outstanding first-person puzzle experience that stands out |
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| PSX Brasil |
Isabella Alves |
85 / 100 |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder is one of those games that deserves to be highlighted for its simplicity and execution of ideas. A game with a simple narrative and creative puzzles that keep getting more and more interesting. All of this is accompanied by a relaxing soundtrack and beautiful graphics, in addition, of course, to the friendly CAIT that makes our journey through Viewfinder even more pleasant. |
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| Push Square |
Stephen Tailby |
7 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| Rock, Paper, Shotgun |
Rachel Watts |
Recommended |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder is a puzzle game like no other. Its reality-shifting, mind-bending hook is constantly fascinating, and the directions it takes will leave your head spinning in the best way possible. |
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| Saving Content |
Scott Ellison II |
4 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
Sad Owl Studios has a great gimmick in Viewfinder , and I hope we get additional content or games around it. There’s more than one trick up its sleeve, and the game continually keeps things fresh with new puzzle elements with each new chapter. Viewfinder stumbles at the finish line but it still gets there with a successful run. Viewfinder has mind-bending and mind-blowing puzzle design, that are sure to be talked about for years to come, and will be oft-remembered for how well it pulls it off. |
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| Screen Rant |
Kaitlyn Peterson |
4 / 5 stars |
08-02-2023 |
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. |
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| Shacknews |
Larryn Bell |
9 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder’s innovative, clever puzzles and the satisfaction that came with solving them left me eager to face each challenge head on. Although the optional puzzles somewhat extend your time spent in the simulation, the experience felt relatively short overall. However, I can appreciate the time and effort that must have went into the thoughtfully crafted puzzles that are present in the game. Viewfinder’s unique gameplay mechanics encourage you to think outside the box, and the aesthetically pleasing spaces, intriguing lore, and surreal image manipulation left me wanting more. Despite its brevity, Viewfinder is a solid puzzle game that represents an elegant step forward in the puzzle genre. |
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| Slant Magazine |
Aaron Riccio |
4.5 / 5 stars |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| SpazioGames |
Giulia Garassino |
7.7 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| The Escapist |
Michael Cripe |
Recommended |
07-20-2023 |
Video Review |
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| The Games Machine |
Francesco Alteri |
9 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
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. |
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| TrueGaming |
Unknown |
8 / 10 |
07-17-2023 |
Viewfinder is a great debut for Sad Owl Studios. The game is visually appealing and has a cozy feeling to it, with innovative puzzles that are different than your usual puzzle game. |
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| Use a Potion |
Unknown |
9 / 10 |
07-20-2023 |
Viewfinder is a wonderfully unique puzzling experience that’ll keep players bedazzled with its world-altering gameplay mechanics. I was constantly left in awe when I saw these 2D images manifest into the 3D world, whilst the puzzles are meticulously designed to creatively embrace the changes you make in some ridiculously clever ways (even IF it is possible to exploit a few of them). And with plenty of new ideas introduced as you progress, there’s always SOMETHING different to do to alter the imaginatively designed world. |
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| VGChartz |
Lee Mehr |
8 / 10 |
09-01-2023 |
An impressively-designed puzzler that’ll leave an indelible mark on anyone’s cerebral photo album. |
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| Video Chums |
A.J. Maciejewski |
8 / 10 |
07-26-2023 |
Mind-bending first-person puzzlers don’t get much better than Viewfinder so play it if you enjoy games like Portal and Superliminal. |
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