The Ultimate Viewfinder Review: Unveiling the Best in Class

The Game Awards 2022 showcased an array of game reveals and notable announcements, but one standout was the captivating indie game Viewfinder. This first-person puzzle game has been compared to titles like Superliminal and The Witness, and it allows players to bring pictures to life within the game world. Describing Viewfinder's mind-bending gimmick on paper does not do it justice, but rest assured, it will leave players astonished by its possibilities.

Viewfinder's revolutionary concept of bringing pictures to life is reminiscent of the innovation seen in Portal's portal gun. The initial moment of placing a picture and stepping into it elicits a profound sense of wonder. As players progress, new variations of the concept are gradually introduced, but nothing compares to the awe-inspiring experience of the picture-to-reality mechanic for the first time.

Initially, players must rely on the discovery of pre-existing photographs scattered throughout the stages in order to tackle puzzles. On occasion, players may need to manipulate these photographs before integrating them into the game world, such as by adjusting their tilt to create sloping objects or producing duplicates using a photocopier. To illustrate the significance of this feature, several puzzles demand players to power up teleporters with batteries, prompting them to collect the necessary amount and position them close to the teleportation device. If players are granted a single photograph capturing a battery, they can generate copies of that image, situate those photographs within the game world, and step into each one successively to amass the desired quantity of batteries.

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In the middle of the game, players in Viewfinder are equipped with a camera that empowers them to capture their own photos for various purposes. This camera provides players with greater flexibility in solving puzzles and conquering obstacles. For instance, if there is an impassable gap, players can snap a picture of a different object or even the ground beneath their feet, and then bring that image to life, creating a bridge to cross.

One interesting aspect of the pictures in Viewfinder is that they often feature different artistic styles. While the game world itself showcases vivid colors and a futuristic theme, players have the ability to disrupt this aesthetic by incorporating black-and-white photos, pencil drawings, watercolor paintings, and other unique looks that are best left unspoiled. Additionally, strategically placed objects can alter the terrain, allowing players to reshape the world around them using various colors and objects as they face the challenges presented in Viewfinder.

Viewfinder stands out from other puzzle games as it avoids the overwhelming and frustrating experience commonly associated with the genre. Although towards the end of the game, a few puzzles may pose a challenge, players might find themselves scratching their heads, especially considering the hint system is not particularly helpful. However, overall, players will consistently have a clear understanding of the tasks at hand. While some may argue that Viewfinder doesn't fully maximize its puzzle design potential, others will embrace its more relaxed approach.

In addition to the main puzzles, each world in Viewfinder offers optional levels that provide an extra challenge for players. Although these levels don't significantly increase the difficulty, they require players to think outside the box more than the mandatory puzzles needed to progress in the story.

To fully experience the innovative use of the game's picture-to-reality gimmick, players should play through the complete Viewfinder story. However, the plot itself lacks compelling elements. The narrative is the game's weakest aspect, as it fails to engage players with a strong hook. Players are introduced to Viewfinder's game world with little explanation, and while there may initially appear to be a grand mystery to uncover, it ultimately falls short.

Viewfinder's narrative falls disappointingly flat, lacking compelling characters except for the sole exception of a talking cat who accompanies players throughout most levels. Although players can gain insights into the human characters responsible for the world they explore through audio logs, these characters and their relationships prove to be uninspiring. The storytelling in Viewfinder desperately craves an injection of excitement to add some much-needed zest. Ultimately, it is the mundane plot that hinders Viewfinder from achieving the greatness it should have, preventing it from being nostalgically regarded like other notable first-person puzzle games that have graced the gaming landscape over the years.

The relatively short length of Viewfinder may disappoint some. With five hub worlds and their own mandatory levels and optional challenges, players can breeze through all the content in about five hours. While it is common for puzzle games like this to be on the shorter side, it feels like Viewfinder could have tapped into its untapped potential for its picture-to-reality gimmick before rolling credits. It would be wonderful to see this idea explored further in a sequel or a different genre of game. While Viewfinder does a commendable job of showcasing why the concept is great for a video game, it falls short of becoming the ultimate puzzle game due to its brevity and lack of a captivating story.

While it lasts, Viewfinder provides enjoyable moments that will put a smile on players' faces. It doesn't fully reach its potential, but it remains a solid game that will hopefully inspire others to delve into similar concepts. It's easy to envision how Viewfinder's picture-to-reality idea could have a big impact in a horror game or even a first-person shooter. Applying this brilliant concept to something with a richer story and more content would create an instant classic. Nonetheless, what is offered in Viewfinder is still worth the price of admission.

Viewfinder

Viewfinder is a unique first-person puzzle game that lets players reshape the game world by bringing pictures to life.

Viewfinder launches July 18 for PC and PS5. Game Rant was provided with a PC code for this review.