Blue Prince Review – A Mysterious Masterpiece That Rewards the Curious

When I first encountered Blue Prince about a year ago, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. I saw one of my favorite streamers playing it, and while it certainly looked intriguing, it didn’t immediately grab me. Still, the concept lingered in my mind. Now, nearly a year later, I’ve finally had the chance to experience the game for myself—and I can confidently say that Blue Prince is one of the most unique and thought-provoking puzzle games I’ve played in recent memory.

An Enchanted Mansion With a Deadly Catch

In Blue Prince, you step into the shoes of Simon P. Jones, a young man who inherits a mysterious mansion from his late great-uncle. But there’s a catch: Simon only gains full ownership if he can find the elusive 46th room hidden somewhere within the estate. The twist? The layout of the house resets every day, and Simon can only take a limited number of steps before the mansion shifts once again.

At first glance, the game feels like a modern twist on The Enchanted Maze, the classic Ravensburger board game from the '90s. But Blue Prince quickly proves to be far more ambitious and intricate.

Each day begins with three doorways, each tied to a random set of room blueprints. You choose one, and that room becomes part of the ever-evolving mansion. Some rooms contain keys for locked doors, gems to unlock rare blueprints, or coins for an in-game shop—all tools to help you inch closer to the 46th room. But since most rooms can only be placed once, every choice matters. Strategic planning becomes essential, especially as you begin to map out the mansion’s ever-shifting layout.

A Puzzle Box That Keeps on Giving

As you explore more rooms and return day after day, a deeper understanding of the mansion’s mechanics begins to emerge. You may find a letter that only makes sense three days later, or suddenly realize the significance of a mechanic that confused you earlier. It’s this slow burn of discovery that gives Blue Prince its unique charm.

Unlike most roguelikes or deckbuilders—which Blue Prince borrows some ideas from—this game is less about immediate rewards and more about long-term insight. It evokes the atmosphere and structure of classics like Myst and The Witness, where knowledge truly is power. Every breakthrough, no matter how small, feels significant.

I reached the credits after 42 in-game days, which took me around 20 hours. But even then, it felt like I had only scratched the surface. A colleague of mine reached the credits in just six in-game days, but has since sunk even more time into the game and continues to make new discoveries. During the review period, a private Discord server set up by the developer revealed players with over 100 hours of playtime who were still finding fresh puzzles and secrets. Blue Prince gives back as much as you’re willing to invest.

A Game That Lives in Your Head

In that way, Blue Prince reminded me of last year’s standout Animal Well. But where that game relied on community cooperation to solve many of its toughest puzzles, Blue Prince is designed so that every mystery can theoretically be solved solo—provided your brain is twisted enough to follow its logic.

To keep track of everything, I ended up creating a whole system: 150 screenshots on my hard drive, a phone full of notes, and scraps of paper covering my desk. At times, it felt like I was living inside the game. It brought back memories of playing Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, another brilliant, cryptic puzzle game that left a deep impression.

Blue Prince is full of “aha” moments—revelations that change the way you see earlier rooms or systems. But describing them would be doing a disservice to future players. These discoveries are best experienced firsthand, without spoilers.

Not Without Flaws

Of course, Blue Prince isn’t without its frustrations. The random blueprint generation can sometimes work against you, especially when you’re presented with a trio of rooms that have no strategic value for your current layout. While most days offer something new to discover, it doesn't always feel that way in the moment. The lack of a mid-day save system can also be inconvenient for players who can't commit to longer sessions.

And while the game is rich in narrative and linguistic puzzles, it’s only available in English. This makes sense given the complexity of the text-based challenges, but it may present a barrier for non-English speakers.

Final Verdict

Blue Prince isn’t a game that throws its brilliance in your face. Instead, it patiently peels back its layers for those willing to explore, experiment, and think outside the box. It’s a game that trusts its players. It doesn’t hold your hand, but it also doesn’t mock you for failing. Instead, it rewards every small step, every clever insight, every bit of progress—whether inside the game or in your own notebook.

In a year already full of excellent releases, Blue Prince has carved out a place among my personal favorites. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t make my Top 10 of 2025.

If you enjoy games that challenge your perception, reward critical thinking, and stick with you long after the credits roll, Blue Prince is an experience you don’t want to miss.