First person puzzle games are a genre I think that really pushes developers to introduce unique mechanics to ensure their game stands out from those that have come prior. I suppose when you’re in a genre that includes Portal, you’re going to have to deliver something special. I’m happy to say that Viewfinder, from Sad Owl Studios, does that and delivers a fun game worth experiencing.

The game sets your character inside a computer simulation searching for the work left behind by a team of scientists. Navigating the world of the simulation requires employing a few tricks that are literally “picture in picture” – for example, using a photograph of a bridge and applying it to the world can allow you to cross a chasm or get around a wall. It’s a mechanic that really shouldn’t work but the developers have performed some real magic in making it fit.

Visually, the game does well in handling the concept, especially when your image manipulation shenanigans literally start carving up the environment. A handy rewind feature works as an undo button which is perfect for fixing any alignment or destruction issues. There is a good amount voice work in the game too via recordings, calls and an AI cat (!) to help flesh out the story and help give some life to a lonely environment.

The game itself only takes a few hours to play through and I think they got it right in terms of length as none of of the abilities and tricks you pick up aren’t pushed so hard as to lose their novelty. Worth noting that the concluding section is a really satisfying and challenging way to finish off the game and I was happy with how the story ended too.

Viewfinder is a fun game that gives players a unique challenge to overcome with some really cool mechanics. If it works for you, it’s pretty likely you’ll want to play this all the way through.