Game Review

Viewfinder

Summer often lacks major game releases, making it the perfect time for indie developers to showcase their work. Last year, *Stray* impressed players with its fresh perspective, becoming one of the best indie games of 2022. This year, can *Viewfinder* take the spotlight?

Story

In *Viewfinder*, Earth is facing a climate crisis, and a group of engineers has been working on solutions to restore ecological balance. Unfortunately, their efforts failed, and their discoveries were lost. You play as the protagonist who uses a device to enter a virtual world of floating islands to continue their work.

In this virtual world, you are guided by Cait, an AI cat who helps you solve puzzles and provides insights about the previous engineers and their experiments. While the story isn’t deep, it provides enough motivation to make the world feel alive and purposeful.

Gameplay

*Viewfinder* doesn’t aim to deliver an extraordinary story but instead shines with its innovative gameplay. The game introduces a unique mechanic where you can manipulate reality using pictures to solve puzzles. You’ll walk through different areas and use a teleporter to progress to the next stage.

Initially, you use pre-existing photos in the virtual world, but soon you acquire a camera, allowing you to create your own solutions. For example, if a bridge is incomplete, you can align a photo of a full bridge to make it real and cross to the other side.

The puzzles become more challenging as you progress, requiring creative thinking and efficient use of limited photos. The *Rewind* feature lets you undo mistakes or restart from any moment, and hints are available for tougher puzzles. Each area introduces new mechanics, like optical illusions or color-based puzzles, keeping the experience fresh—though the last areas feel repetitive.

The game takes about 3–6 hours to complete, depending on how long you spend solving puzzles. While most puzzles are straightforward, a few offer a real challenge. The game’s final sections present darker tones, reflecting the environmental disaster theme, adding tension and depth.

Graphics and Performance

The game’s colorful, minimalist art style is charming. While it doesn’t aim for hyper-realistic visuals, its simplicity works well. However, environmental repetition can make some areas feel less unique. Cait often comments on the beauty of the locations, but they don’t always live up to the description.

On the technical side, *Viewfinder* excels. The seamless integration of reality manipulation mechanics, smooth *Rewind* feature, and lack of glitches are commendable, especially compared to larger games with simpler systems that still face issues.

Final Thoughts

Despite some flaws, *Viewfinder* is one of the most enjoyable puzzle games this year. Its innovative mechanics and engaging gameplay set it apart. A sequel with a deeper story and more complex puzzles would be a welcome addition.

Rating: 8.5/10