The Witness: Full Game Guide

Complete guide to all puzzles in The Witness

Introduction

Be sure to like and favorite the guide so it can be more visible for others to utilize as well.

The Witness is a puzzle adventure game by Jonathan Blow known for the hit game Braid. Explore the abandoned island and discover the secrets it holds.


I highly recommend not using a guide as much as I would like you to use it. Part of the magic of the game is figuring things out and having those eureka moments. After you have explored other areas and found the in-game tutorial sections and are still stumped then come for nudges in the right direction.


The Island Map section will have an overview picture of each area of the game so you can get a better idea for where each area is and the titles I have given them.

Each section will start with a brief overview of the idea behind that area puzzle mechanic as a hint to get you going in the right direction as well as an overview picture of the area so you can click to each section without spoiling the whole place.

There are also many hidden puzzles posted in the comments section for more information and a mild spoiler warning.

Controls

The game can be played with a mouse and keyboard or a controller

Action	Xbox Controller	Mouse&Keyboard
Walk around	Left joystick/D-Pad	WASD
Move cursor	Left joystick/D-Pad	Mouse
Look around	Right joystick	Mouse
Enter cursor/puzzle mode	A button	Left Mouse Click
Select start/end points for path	A button	Left Mouse Click
Exit cursor/puzzle mode	B button	Right Mouse Click
Run	Left Trigger	Shift
Cycle connected puzzles	Left/Right Bumpers	Left Mouse Click
Open pause menu	Start Button	Esc

Tips

• When stuck on a puzzle leave and come back later. You may later learn how to solve it or with a clear head may be able to get it another time.
  
• Use solutions in this guide as a last resort.
  
• There are different areas in the game that each has puzzles you progress through until you finish that section. They can be tackled at any time and any order and you will know when you have finished a zone.
  
• Each puzzle mechanic has a set of very simple puzzles to teach you the rules of the symbol for the area.
  
• If you come across a puzzle mechanic you don't know, feel free to skip it and return after you have found and learned from the tutorial area for that mechanic.
  
• The island has lots to explore so don't worry about leaving puzzles you get stuck on as there is always more to do and see.

Tweaking Graphics Settings

Information from Tech Support Discussion here by user The Invisibl.
More information can be found in comments there.

The Witness has a whole lot of settings under the hood that you can tweak, here's how:

First find your Local.variables file, we'll be editing it

In Library in the steam client, right click on The Witness and go to:
Properties -> LOCAL FILES -> BROWSE LOCAL FILES...
Go in into the "data" folder and open Local.variables in a text editor

There's a few things in there already, but ignore them, we'll just be adding new stuff.

Add a section for the Render Quality setting you want to edit, followed by the variables you want to set. You only need to add the variables you want to change.

Here's how it looks if you wanted to edit the high setting (the others are :/render/low and :/render/medium). These settings are the defaults for high:

:/render/high
low_res_reflections false
sun_shadow_resolution 1024
point_shadow_resolution 1024
antialias_panel_rendering true
skip_mipmaps 0
msaa_sample_count 4
panel_render_width 512
render_width 1920
render_height 1080
dynamic_resolution false

And here's what they do:

low_res_reflections - pretty self explanitory, true or false
sun_shadow_resolution - must be one of 256, 512 or 1024
antialias_panel_rendering - true or false, improves the quality of the puzzle panels
skip_mipmaps - 0, 1, or 2, changes texture resolution THE LOWER THE BETTER
msaa_sample_count - 1, 2, 4, or 16. Higher numbers give better visuals at performance cost.
panel_render_width - must be a power of two. I wouldn't go lower than 512. 1024 is nice if you've got a top end GPU
render_width and render_height - the size of the backbuffer that's rendered to. Note that if you're using SET LAUNCH OPTIONS to set -width and -height, that'll override these.
dynamic_resolution - true or false, reduce resolution dynamically to preserve framerate at the cost of (a lot of) visual fidelity. This is really a last resort to make the game run on low-end GPUs.


Save your changes, and then run the game in the Render Quality you edited!

And finally, if you think you've broken you game, or made it worse, you can just delete everything you added and it'll go back to defaults.

Island Map

Area mechanics can be found next to each location on the map with a red symbol to hint at where the tutorial for each mechanic is located. Use this to find and learn specific mechanics to help progress on puzzles found elsewhere that incorporate them.

Island areas

Below will be some screenshots of the areas as you may first see them so you can put a name to a face so to speak and know where to navigate to using the index at the side of the page.

Starting Cabana

Cherry Blossom Orchard and Windmill

Beach Art House and Oasis Island

Desert Ruins

Monastery

Bamboo/Tropical Forest

Greenhouse Color Rooms

Fall Forest

Industrial Quarry and Sawmill

Castle Tower and Hedges

Submerged Swamps

Treehouses

Town

Sunken Ship

Mountain

Starting Cabana

Area mechanic

Starting with the circle make a path through the maze to the dead end with a round end. This is the core concept of the game that other areas and mechanics will build from.










The next one is tucked back in the corner.



The second solution opens a gate on the other side of the wall.


Use the path around the outside of the stone walls through the gate, opened by the second solution on the puzzle above, to reach around to the small room with this gate.

Cherry Blossom Orchard and Windmill

Area mechanic

The paths on each puzzle correspond to a nearby tree and where the apples are located. This mechanic isn't really seen outside this zone and teaches you that solutions will often be found in the natural surroundings.

Beach Art House and Oasis Island

Area mechanic

You will need to make two paths that mirror each other at the same time, the way each path moves in relation to each other can change each puzzle.

On the island you must find the path by looking through the glass of the puzzle at objects in the background and trace around them and their reflections in the water.

Beach Art House

Oasis Island

The yellow mirror path will become harder and harder to see but is still there. This can be tested by running the paths into each other and seeing the invisible wall.








The blue side mirrors the yellow side across from it.

Desert Ruins

Area mechanic

Each puzzle solution can be found by using the glare from the sun to reveal a path that is less reflective.

























In the dark room you can use one of four places to raise and lower the water.













The wood blocks the path.

Finish the puzzle from the backside unobstructed.

Not Quite Finished

The laser has risen but isn't pointing in the right direction. Follow the beam into town and adjust the panel to reflect the beam where it needs to go.

Courtesy of gugenheim tuning fork

Monastery

Area mechanic

Uses looking through objects in the environment to mask sections of the puzzle to reveal the correct path.







This small tree podium is the key to this building. By completing the puzzle making a U shape the third side left open and orange will cause the shutters on that side of the building to open. The direction you face while completing it is the side that opens. Opening the shutters on the left side enables you to get three hidden puzzles.


Open the right side to progress.




The solution for the third puzzle is blocked from the inside and needs to be inspected from outside.




This shortcut to the Monastery can be accessed from the other side from a path by the river.

This activated the interior puzzle.




The sticks form the path




The two views reveal each half of the solution.


The final piece was broken off and lies upon the floor.

Bamboo/Tropical Forest

Area mechanic

Sound is the key to this area. Bird chirps can be heard around each puzzle with varying pitch. The pitch of each note determines the path on the puzzle.

Greenhouse Color Rooms

Area mechanic

Separate each color into zones, but to see the true colors you may need to change the lighting or look at the puzzle through colored glass.

Elevator

Fall Forest

Area mechanic

Use the shadows of trees as hints towards the solutions. The path for each solution may be a path of shadows from branches, light from negative space in shadow, or a combination of the two.

There are three sections here with the first being a tutorial that opens two more sections. Each of these expands on different concepts and approaches which both need to be solved to open the final puzzle gate.

In the third area the paths for the solutions are partially shown with another section case in the shadows on nearby objects like trees and rocks.







For this puzzle the door you came through needs to be open so it isn't blocking the light.






Here the path splits activating two sections.

Left area

Right Area

Once both gates are open the final puzzle can be solved by alternating between a light and shadow path for each respective half.

Industrial Quarry and Sawmill

Area mechanic

The white three pointed shape indicates that it will cancel out another symbol in the same zone.

Quarry

Opens shortcut from Fall Forest to Quarry

Sawmill

Final Puzzle

Castle Tower and Hedges

Area mechanic

The hedge mazes each have a different quirk to them for solving the puzzle at the end of each hedge maze.

The walkway platform grid section requires you to solve the puzzle at the podium by walking along the path on the ground to input the solution. If an incorrect solution or extra spaces are depressed the platforms can be reset with the L shape slider around the podium puzzle. These puzzles use mechanics learned in other areas so all sections may not be solvable upon the first visit.

Hedges

The solution is the path you walk for the maze.


The solution is the path not blocked by long grass.


The solution is the path that doesn't change sound when walked upon.


The solution is a combination of the hedge maze and the puzzle. There is only one path that can be made between the two of them when overlaid.

Walkway platforms

To finish the path you will need to use the wooden section to cross between paths without activating incorrect ones.

Top of tower

Once a side has been completed the overall puzzle for that side unlocks and once complete either can trigger the area laser.

The hedge side is simply retracing the steps of all of the mazes at the same time.

The puzzle for this side is similar to the parts on the ground but not directly the same on the left half.

Submerged Swamps

Area mechanic

Tetromino type shapes will need to be made with the path with the yellow icon being somewhere inside the shape created.

• Multiple shapes can be combined in a single zone
  
• Multi shape zones don't need the symbol to be contained inside the same shape as long as it is in the same zone overall
  
• Shape being tilted at an angle meaning the shape can be used at any rotation but not flipped
  
• Blue empty shapes reduce that number of yellow squares in the same zone

Multiple areas have puzzles that control the positions of the ground and the shape of the ground will reflect the shape of the current solution, often there can be multiple solutions that move the path around.






The bridge here moves depending on which solution you input.




Shortcut to boat dock.



Another bridge section that rotates and matched your input.


This bridge section can be set to a side or can have it all enabled at once to open a shortcut out the backside of the swamp up towards the mountain from the boat dock.

Submerged Rooms

From here you will solve puzzles to drain the next room you need access to.


The panel on the right controls the platform you initially entered the area on. Find a hidden puzzle using the porthole on the glass when the bridge is away from you to change the color to pink through the water.





Here you will need to stand on the platforms and lower them as you move about to get to the lower path moving forwards.



Shortcut path off to the side just before the laser after the final puzzle that leads into the mountain.

Treehouses

Area mechanic

The jagged edge colors need to be paired with another matching color and only in sets of two. Multiple colors can be in the same zone, just not more than or less than two of a color per zone.

This area can be reached using the boat to dock in the top right corner of the island. A shortcut out can be opened to exit the area at the end.

Yellow Path

Orange Path

Green Path

Treehouses Part 2

Pink Path

Pink Path 2

Orange Path 2

Adjusting Panels

To finish the area we will need to rearrange some paths so that we have time to reach the final switch before the timer runs out. To do this we will simply make a direct path there.


These two panels from Orange path 1&2 will need to be changed to these so that the paths meet.

You will then be able to activate this panel opening the final room and walk straight towards it as the timer doesn't allow for any other longer paths. You should now be able to cross from Orange 1 to Orange 2.

Leaving the Treehouse

On Orange path 1 at the left turn change it to straight then the following section to right to get to the shortcut.

Town

Area mechanic

A culmination of mechanics learned all across the island. This will likely be one of the later areas finished.







The four directions of the puzzle correspond to each major branch of the tree and the location of the apple.

Courtesy of wizpig64

Overlayed images from the room with changing color.

Sunken Ship

This is a small area in the corner of the island and doesn't have many puzzles but does have a few hidden puzzles. It can be accessed out the back of the Castle Tower area.

See the Misc Obelisk Puzzles section for more of what this area has to offer.

Underground Tunnels

Mountain

Finish all of the other areas to turn on the lasers and enable access to the mountain.

Opening the entrance

Courtesy of Ortsac

Inside the mountain

Various floor configurations that can be used.

Courtesy of wizpig64

Yellow puzzle panels

For these puzzles click and move your mouse where you normally would and not where you see it on the display. The image will be off but you still click as if it displayed properly.

Green puzzle panels

Blue puzzle panels inside room

Stand off to the side to be able to see the correct solution

Start at the top right

Rainbow puzzle panels

Grey puzzle panels

For these puzzles the path is drawn on all panels at the same time and all need to be solved at the same time with each new panel unlocked adding to the mix.

Mountain Part 2

Blue and Yellow combination bridges

To open the door you need both bridges to be drawn. You will need to cross back and forth continually adjusting each side little by little to transition the bulk of it to the yellow side while keeping the puzzle solvable as well. Keep an eye on both sides in the pictures and adjust the blue side first as needed in between then match the yellow to the next step as it will be the focus.

Elevator

Bottom floor puzzle room

Timed door

This door has a short window of time to solve the puzzles while standing in front of it. Once a side has been solved it is locked in. The big issue will be that the puzzles change each time it resets, luckily they aren't too complicated you just need to be quick and focus on a side at a time.

Pillar puzzles

These puzzles are relatively simple once you are able to wrap your head around them.

Left side

1



2
Continue up the left edge wrapping back around


3



4
This puzzle is mirrored top and bottom so just follow the bottom path around

Right side

1


2
Just continue around the post

3
This puzzle will fold back over itself a few times in a stair step pattern



4
This puzzle has two paths that go around in tandem

Final Puzzle

Upon walking into the cage and activating it you will finish the game and earn the End Game achievement.

Obelisk Locations

These hidden puzzles are found all over the island as naturally occurring basic puzzles distinguished by a circle leading down a path to a round end. Often you will need to be standing in a specific location to line up the perspective to see the complete path. The Obelisks around the island help track and hint towards the nearby hidden puzzles.

Obelisk Locations

Between Desert Ruins and Beach Oasis

Between Castle Tower and Treehouses

Between Fall Forest and Industrial area

Hidden Puzzle Locations

Exact location information, especially initially, will be limited. If you are hunting hidden puzzles you should be reasonably familiar with the island and able to recognize the general area in each picture.





Along the waterline

The yellow cart side has a puzzle but you need to be quite far away



The Windmill has 3 hidden puzzles on it ending on each of the hidden blades. Use the two patches on the Windmill itself to transition the cursor between the moving blades.











For this one you will need to be able to move the elevator and ride it down while tracing the puzzle.








For this one you will need to close the shutters then quickly do the first half of the hidden puzzle and the second half after it closes.

Around Sunken Ship

This is a very long one that will stretch the next couple of screenshots. You need to be in the boat behind the Castle Tower and I recommend having the boat on one of the first two speeds. If you miss a transition you will need to start over.










The transition here goes by very quick so be ready for it.



From here on out it is smooth sailing till the end.




That wraps up one of the longest hidden puzzles.

Hidden Puzzle Locations Part 2

Ride the boat through the harbor







Look up from the floor below to see these.

Submitted Hidden Puzzle Locations

Courtesy of JorisCeoen

Continue riding the boat around the bend to finish this puzzle.

Courtesy of DoctorQuinn

http://steamcommunity.com/id/imma_doctor
You can see it while in the green room right before the top floor.

Courtesy of GoryMoon

http://steamcommunity.com/id/gory_moon
Need to walk around to get the other half because it's blocked
Raise the right platform then transition across
Have the boat moving to finish
Setup puzzle at entrance

Courtesy of DIENER

http://steamcommunity.com/id/DIENER
This one needs to be done at the start of the game or can be gotten much later in the game after finding a paper with plans to reset the door and enable the puzzle again.

Courtesy of Yiasmat

Courtesy of Prefuse & the 7 🌠

Courtesy of WUB

Courtesy of Kas

Stand here for the next one.

Audio Logs

Audio log devices can be found all over the item and merely need to be clicked while the cursor is purple to begin playing the quotes by famous historical figures.

Submitted Audio Log Locations

Courtesy of DoctorQuinn

Courtesy of GoryMoon

[Wave Guy]

fourth puzzle in the second picture for the submerged rooms is where i started getting confused with how the blue hollow square removal mechanic works. I still don't understand even after seeing the solution.

[xwordmark]

How about this one? It looks simple, but nothing I've tried works, and I don't see a solution in the guide. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2668545707

[OnionRangerDuck]

Take my PhD velociraptor, you deserve the reward.

[fra2.f]

Thank you for this guide, really well done !!!

[Zarcus]

Bonjour, Anyone found a way to get the transcript of all audiologs ? I have seen a solution to get it if you bought the game (/data/strings but what about if you play this game through Steam. Merci !

[shanemurry]

how do you get in the architects room to be able to do the blue puzzles?

[slndy8520]

Activate all 11 lasers and have fun with more puzzles https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1295297176408173308/6A3690FDDBE2D654791731BB94F773A1B5A6EC84/

[瞎尼玛掺乎]

thanks!!!

[joridiculous]

here's another one
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/955228939258971973/FB9BCC4BD71B17EF53E8584597A4EB189B2AC357/
follow desert laser and you'll find this one at the edge of the rock part close to the city wall / path to quarry ish

[Xzealit]

guide dont update, dont have many hidden puzzles, bad