The Witness (2016): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Windows 11yes
Steam DeckPlayable
Macyes
LinuxProton Gold

Gamicality score 85 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 5

Runs today5 / 5
Design today4.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

18,937 reviews85% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2016
Developer: Thekla
Genre: Adventure, Indie
Where to buy: Steam
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does The Witness run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. Source
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Yes, it runs on Apple Silicon Macs. Source
Linux	Through Proton: ProtonDB rates it Gold (runs perfectly after tweaks). Source
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. Source

Played it lately? Press Works for me or Doesn’t work on your platform, so the next player knows. One click, no account. How we check where it runs

Synopsis

A first-person puzzle game from Jonathan Blow set on a deserted, colorful island. You solve hundreds of line-drawing puzzles on panels scattered across the island, working out each set of rules by yourself with no words or tutorials.

What people say

Critics in 2016 praised its inventive puzzles, its beautiful island and the way it teaches its rules without words, calling it brilliant and demanding in equal measure. Criticism centered on puzzles that grow tiring as complexity piles up over a long playtime, a few leaps that feel too clever, and heavy-handed philosophical asides for those wanting a story. Players today still call it rewarding but very hard, and some admit to looking up solutions.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
–Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store, Valve’s Steam Deck rating and the sources linked under each check. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 4.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardWalking and tracing lines on panels works well with mouse or gamepad, and controller buttons can be remapped in game. The launcher needs the mouse unless a launch parameter skips it. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThe game has almost no interface and the clean art reads well at high resolutions, though 4K needs the internal render resolution raised to avoid blur. Source: pcgamingwiki.com.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressProgress is saved continuously, so every solved panel stays solved and the game can be quit at any time. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressEarly puzzle sequences teach each line rule without words, which critics praise. Later areas still stump many players, some of whom look up solutions. Source: opencritic.com, steamcommunity.com.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingThe island is large and puzzle complexity piles up over a long playtime, and players complain about walking back across it to revisit earlier panels. Source: opencritic.com, steamcommunity.com.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerFirst-person movement around the island is smooth and the camera never fights the player. Source: steamcommunity.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.