April 9th 2025.
Every day, the Blue Prince mansion is transformed into a different manor, offering a new and exciting challenge for its visitors. Its latest attraction, a surprise hit among indie games, has quickly become a contender for game of the year. In this game, players embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of their great uncle's mysterious manor.
Since the 1990s, games like Myst and Riven have captivated players with their enigmatic plot and stunning graphics. Blue Prince follows in their footsteps, leaving much to the imagination and allowing players to piece together the plot and setting on their own. This trend has continued over the years, with games like Gorogoa, Return Of The Obra Dinn, The Talos Principle, and Lorelei And The Laser Eyes leaving players scratching their heads with their inscrutable puzzles.
But Blue Prince is a bit different. It starts off by clearly explaining the player's goal and motivation, although it raises more questions than it answers. The game begins with the passing of Baron Herbert Sinclair, who leaves his estate to his grandnephew under one condition: finding the 46th room in his 45-room mansion. But it's not as simple as it seems; there are rules to follow. Players are not allowed to stay overnight, must use only items found within the mansion, and cannot bring anyone from the outside world. And to add to the challenge, the mansion is dismantled at the end of each day, and the player must rebuild it from scratch using a blueprint.
As players explore the mansion from a first-person perspective, they must strategically place rooms on the blueprint to expand their map and collect useful items. Each room requires a certain number of footsteps to enter, and players must carefully manage their steps to avoid running out. But don't worry; they can be replenished by finding food or receiving buffs throughout the game. However, running out of steps marks the end of the day and the start of a new one, which typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
The mansion itself is a puzzle, with a tantalizing antechamber at its center, promising access to the elusive 46th room. But reaching it is no easy feat, and players must carefully plan their moves to avoid getting boxed in or running out of keys or footsteps. Some rooms also have unique interactions with one another, providing bonuses or essential tools to progress further. Players can unlock new rooms as they progress, and these rooms are retained for future runs. They are also rated on their blueprint layout and composition, adding a competitive aspect to the game.
Blue Prince's cel-shaded art style may not be the most visually stunning, but it creates an atmospheric and consistent backdrop for players to get lost in. The game is highly polished and bug-free, with a clean and responsive interface. As players lay down rooms and enter them seamlessly, it creates a sense of flow that immerses them in the game.
The puzzles in Blue Prince are challenging yet satisfying. Most runs will feature the Billiard Room, where players must solve a mathematical puzzle, and the Parlour, which has a logic game constructed around three treasure boxes. These puzzles can be solved quickly, adding to the game's sense of progression. However, players may need to have a pen and paper handy to make notes, as remembering all the clues and solutions can be a daunting task.
Of course, no game is perfect, and Blue Prince does have its moments of frustration. Players may find themselves boxed in or running out of keys or footsteps just before reaching the anteroom, causing them to start a new run. And there may be periods where it feels like no progress is being made, but these moments are quickly overshadowed by the excitement of a breakthrough.
Overall, Blue Prince is a slow-building game that rewards perseverance and curiosity. It may not appeal to everyone, with its obscure challenges, roguelite structure, and the need for pen and paper, but for those who enjoy a challenge, it's a must-play. With its beautifully realized mechanics, clean interface, and constantly evolving gameplay, Blue Prince is a gem among puzzle games.
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