Labeling The Blue Prince merely as a puzzle game does not fully capture the depth and breadth of its intricate systems, which are designed to surprise and excite players eager to uncover its many secrets and mind-bending challenges. This indie title, developed by Dogubomb, stands out as one of the most innovative puzzle games in recent years. Its clever mechanics and thought-provoking hurdles offer a masterclass in game design, ideal for those who are ready to immerse themselves in the enigmatic atmosphere of a mysterious clockwork mansion.

Scheduled for release on April 10, The Blue Prince invites players to step into the shoes of Simon, the young grandson of a recently deceased eccentric nobleman. This nobleman has left behind a sprawling 45-room estate, along with an enticing promise: uncover the elusive 46th room and reap a significant reward. However, the challenge is compounded by the fact that the mansion’s layout changes every day, turning Simon’s quest into a complex and rewarding treasure hunt.

The gameplay unfolds in a first-person perspective, reminiscent of what was traditionally referred to as a “walking simulator.” The art style is striking, appearing as if each room is hand-drawn with broad pencil strokes and vivid watercolors, which imbue every space with a distinct personality. Complementing this aesthetic is a minimalist soundtrack that adds a layer of cozy mystery to the player’s exploration. Meanwhile, the unique sound effects associated with picking up and utilizing items contribute a tactile sense to the otherwise still environment of the mansion, where nothing moves unless the player does.

The journey begins in the Entrance Hall, the first area players encounter when starting the game. This space serves as the launching point for every game session thereafter. The architectural design recalls elements from classic games, such as the exploration found in What Remains of Edith Finch and the intricate puzzles of The Witness. However, The Blue Prince offers a distinctive experience that gradually reveals itself over time. Players begin at the mansion’s ground floor in the Entrance Hall and must navigate their way upwards, with numerous empty spaces to fill with various types of rooms—bedrooms, gardens, hallways, workout rooms, security stations, and beyond.

Each door players encounter presents them with three new room options, which vary in rarity and are influenced by their progression through the mansion. This variety ensures that the mansion’s vertical grid—measuring five rooms wide by nine rooms tall—looks entirely different each day. Additionally, each room possesses a different number of doors, requiring players to carefully consider their choices to avoid potential dead ends while striving to achieve their goals.

In my initial playthroughs, I quickly learned how easy it was to exhaust my supply of doors, leading to an abrupt end to my runs. After spending eight hours unraveling the mysteries of the estate, I believed I was nearing the endgame. However, the game continually unfolded new layers of complexity with each daily reset of the mansion. Even when my attempts hit dead ends, the discovery of a new room or a permanently unlocked advantage kept me engaged and eager to embark on another exploration.

As I familiarized myself with the mechanics of the different rooms, I developed a strategy. I often opted for the Closet early on to secure special items or one of the few disposable currencies, such as gold, keys, or gems, which are essential for unlocking unique rooms. Alternatively, I might choose the Billiard Room to tackle a puzzle and earn a prize, like one of the rare keys that grant access to the mansion’s most secretive areas. As I made progress, significant mysteries began to unfold, prompting me to mutter to myself—my only companions in this strange and shadowy mansion.

The Billiard Room, accessible early in the game, features a darts puzzle (not depicted) that rewards players with items upon successful completion. One of the most exciting aspects of each daily run is its inherent randomness. This unpredictability not only distinguishes The Blue Prince from other puzzle house games, like last year’s Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, which follow a set pattern of challenges, but also ensures that players must adapt their strategies based on the continuously changing layout. Even when guides become available for the game's limited puzzles, players will need to master the mansion-building mechanics to conquer the game.

However, the element of randomness can lead to frustratingly sudden ends to a gaming session, often due to unfortunate draws of room options or scarcity of keys and gems. This unpredictability is amplified by the common challenges found in “rogue-like” games, where early choices can inadvertently hinder future progress. Yet, the roulette of room layouts is so intrinsically woven into the game’s design and theme that it could be considered a feature rather than a bug, encouraging players to construct strategies around it. After experiencing the frustration of prematurely ended runs, I found it beneficial to shift my perspective and appreciate the small victories, even if that meant unveiling just a single new room in a day.

Central to The Blue Prince is its unfolding narrative, which reveals itself as players uncover new rooms—if they know where to look.

Set against a backdrop of majestic mountains that stretch beyond the mansion’s edge, the story unfolds in a royal town with its own hidden history, gradually revealed through the mansion’s literature. The game opens with Simon standing in the Entrance Hall, holding a letter from his beloved grandfather, Herbert S. Sinclair, who welcomes him to the challenge of unveiling the mansion’s secrets. However, as the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that there is more to Herbert than the whimsical persona he initially presents, as well as deeper mysteries surrounding the family to which Simon belongs, one of the last remaining members.

At the developer Dogubomb's suggestion, I opted to take notes in a physical notebook, along with maintaining a spreadsheet to document larger puzzles. I meticulously logged everything of interest, as each new room introduces additional letters, documents, references, or mentions of various characters. A rich tapestry of personalities and their fates began to emerge: the mysterious disappearance of Simon’s mother, his father’s simmering anger, and the playful antics of the mansion’s staff. Scattered clues beckon like a detective sifting through a library or a teacher searching for an old textbook—each fragment holds potential significance.

As I delve deeper into the game, I find myself grappling with how much of these notes contribute to the overarching story. Even after 17 hours immersed in The Blue Prince, I have yet to reach a conclusion. I am tantalizingly close, yet mechanical hurdles and a lack of luck aligning the mansion’s rooms have left me one fortunate run away from closure. In the meantime, I continue piecing together the lore of the estate, striving to unlock new rooms in hopes of revealing the truth about what transpired in this once-vibrant home, now shrouded in shadows.

Despite not having completed the game, each journey through its halls remains a delightful exploration filled with wonder as I contemplate the countless secrets lurking within. Every new room serves as a snippet of storytelling—a family tomb here, a fallout shelter over there—and as I venture further, more layers of narrative unfold, resembling a puzzle that encompasses the entire mansion and prompting me to wonder what else lies hidden in plain sight.

However, it’s worth noting that The Blue Prince may not cater to everyone’s tastes. While the majority of puzzles can be resolved using the items available in each room, some intricate solutions may prove elusive to more casual players. The unpredictable room layout and shifting choices can lead to uneven progress or even a complete standstill when luck is not on one’s side. Nevertheless, it undeniably stands out as one of the most distinctive games I have encountered in years, providing a true delight for puzzle enthusiasts and fans of mystery alike.

The Blue Prince is set to launch on April 10 on platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, and PC.