After diving deep into “The Talos Principle: Reawakened,” I figured I’d hit my puzzle game limit. But then “Blue Prince” came along, and all bets were off. A game that dares to challenge the modern puzzle genre? Naturally, I had to see if it was as mind-bending as its premise suggested. Spoiler alert: it absolutely is. Set in the mysterious Mt. Holly, “Blue Prince” is a genre-defying strategy puzzle adventure where every decision you make matters. The game’s hook? Every time you open a door, you’re not just walking into a new space, you’re shaping the very layout of the mansion. And with each new dawn, the maze of rooms shifts, resetting the manor’s architecture entirely. That’s right: this is a roguelike and you have to start from scratch each day, but with the knowledge and tools you’ve gathered from previous runs. It’s a constant dance of strategy, exploration, and, yes, a bit of frustration.
You play as Simon P. Jones, the heir to the enigmatic Mt. Holly mansion. The catch? To claim his inheritance, Simon must locate the elusive Room 46 within a single day, or risk the entire mansion resetting on him. The clock is always ticking, but the mansion’s shifting corridors and locked doors don’t make things easy. Each time you reach a closed door, you get to decide what new room will appear behind it. But don’t get too cocky; aligning doors, managing your limited number of footsteps, and solving a multitude of puzzles is a constant balancing act. One wrong step and it’s back to square one. As you traverse the mansion, you’ll encounter a rich variety of rooms. Some are filled with tools and keys that’ll help you move forward; others contain puzzles that’ll make you scratch your head for a while. Some puzzles stand alone, while others weave through multiple rooms, requiring you to use your growing knowledge of the mansion to piece together solutions. The sheer diversity of challenges makes each playthrough feel fresh and rewarding.
Yet the game doesn’t just leave you to figure it all out on your own. There’s a subtle but brilliant design here, ”Blue Prince” asks you to trust your instincts, but it never lets you wander too far without a breadcrumb to follow. This delicate balance between intuition and just enough guidance kept me coming back, time and again, to discover what new mysteries I could unlock. But the real brilliance of “Blue Prince” lies in its emotional depth. As you delve deeper into Mt. Holly, it becomes clear that Simon’s quest for Room 46 isn’t just about the mansion’s shifting layout. The deeper you go, the more you unravel a story of blackmail, political intrigue, and a long-buried mystery involving a missing children’s author. It’s a haunting journey that feels personal, as each discovery feels like a small victory over the mansion itself. After around 15 hours of play, I finally found Room 46, but the game’s grip on me didn’t loosen. In fact, I found myself diving back in to explore more rooms, solve more puzzles, and uncover the many layers of the game’s narrative. “Blue Prince” becomes more than just a puzzle game; it’s a compelling emotional experience that lingers long after you’ve put it down.
This game made me feel like a genius, and also like a complete idiot. There were times when I felt completely stuck, cursing at the screen in frustration. But when the puzzle finally clicked, the feeling of triumph was unlike any other. The game demands persistence, cleverness, and a willingness to experiment with your surroundings. Sometimes sacrificing your current run so, the next attempt will be more fruitful. And trust me, the risks/rewards are worth it. What makes “Blue Prince” truly stand out is its mix of genres and its defiance of conventional game mechanics. It takes that roguelike structure, infuses it with puzzle-solving elements, and throws in a deep narrative that pulls you forward with each passing day. The game encourages creativity, forces you to think outside the box, and celebrates the satisfaction of solving problems, both big and small.
“Blue Prince” is a masterclass in puzzle design and world-building. It’s accessible enough for newcomers, but complex enough to challenge even the most seasoned puzzle veterans. It’s a game that thrives on curiosity and the joy of discovery. But be warned: this game will make you want to rush through it, and yet, it will only reward those who take their time and embrace the challenge. At the end of the day, “Blue Prince” isn’t just one of the best puzzle games I’ve ever played, it’s one of the most memorable gaming experiences I’ve had in quite some time.
9.5/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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