It’s best if you’ve got past experience to pull from, but this parody game also holds up on its own
One of Steam’s popular new releases this week isa parody ofThe Witness, and whether youliked that gameor ended up bouncing off it, there’s fun to be had.The Lookergoes to surprisingly great lengths to capture that island-exploring puzzle-solving experience, except it’s much more concise — above all, it just wants to make you laugh. Also, it’s free!
I think it’s something anyone could enjoy, but you’ll likely appreciate it more if you’ve cracked far enough intoThe Witnessto know that it’s not just a typical “puzzle game.”
Just like in the source material, you’ll walk around an island and look for puzzle panels to solve so that you can expand the game’s explorable area, rinse and repeat.
The Looker‘s puzzle mechanic is the equivalent of a maze on a kid’s placemat, and also similar toThe Witness, it’s a simple premise that goes to some unexpected places. If you’ve finishedThe Witnessand know how its puzzles progress, you’ll know what I mean to a certain extent — but it also goes a step further with some funny games within a game.
It’s a parody game through and through, but Subcreation Studio put enough time, energy, and care intoThe Lookerthat it also holds up as its own thing. I’m… impressed!
The Lookerisn’t too long, and it sticks the landing
While not every joke or gag hit its mark, I ended up chuckling or outright laughing at a handful of them — an early one being a hint button that just kept giving me friendly non-advice. And there are some good a-ha moments, too. As much asThe Lookerleans into Big Shitpost Energy when there’s an opportunity, it’s an honest-to-goodness video game.
If you’ve got an hour (or less if you’re smart!) to burn,The Lookerisworth checking out. Or if you’ve only got five minutes to spare,Dunkey has an abbreviated playthrough.
