Blue Prince, A Humble Review

We often hear in conversations that there are no fresh ideas in games anymore or that last year was disappointing. Many titles follow familiar patterns, and some rely on sequels and remakes, but that's not the whole picture. More and more indie games prove the opposite, bringing original concepts and a fresh approach to entertainment. Last year, Balatro surprised us, and this year, Blue Prince aims to grab attention—a strategic game that, already in its demo version, leaves the impression of something different. Right from the start, this adventure carries a sense of uncertainty and curiosity, which further intrigued me to try the full version of the game.

Are you in the mood for something completely different? Check out our Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii review!

What Is Blue Prince All About

The premise of the game is quite simple. As a young nephew, I've become the potential heir to a grand mountain estate, including the impressive Mt. Holly mansion with 45 rooms. However, before the inheritance becomes mine, there's one condition. My great-uncle Herbert Sinclair left me to find Room 46, which is said to be hidden within the mansion's walls. The entire inheritance is lost if I fail to see it within a year. Without too much spoiling, this short introduction is just the beginning of what awaits you. The real obstacles, surprises, and secrets lie behind all sorts of doors.

Of course, nothing goes without complications. This isn't an ordinary building with a classic layout. What's a hallway today? It might become a bedroom tomorrow and something entirely different the day after. The game doesn't hold your hand—it gives no instructions, explains no rules, doesn't show you where to go, or offers hints or side quests. Everything you discover, you'll uncover on your own through trial and error.

Familiar, Yet Different

At first glance, Blue Prince might seem like just another walking simulator at first glance, but it shatters that stereotype after the first day. The game follows a roguelike format, but there's no traditional enemy—instead, you become your worst adversary. Some moves require careful planning and strategic thinking, where decision-making becomes a battle with yourself, and doubt in your choices becomes inevitable.

Each day starts in the mansion's foyer, with three doors leading deeper into the house. Once you open one, you're given a choice between three randomly offered rooms, each of which could be the next step on your path. Some rooms have only one entrance and exit, while others may have up to four passages. Like a pawn on a chessboard, every step is irreversible, and the layout you choose shapes your progress for the day.

After opening a door, you can choose between three randomly offered rooms, each of which could be the next step on your path.

No Day in Blue Prince Is The Same

Not only can you block your path, but each passage through a room is crucial because it consumes one of your 50 allowed steps. Not literal steps, but entries/exits into individual rooms. Every new room opening requires careful consideration—because the day must end once you've used up all your steps. However, not all rooms are the same. Some may contain food or moments of rest that restores lost steps, allowing you to extend your daily expedition.

No day in Blue Prince is the same, but each subsequent one is more fun than the last—provided you have a bit of luck. Things can quickly go wrong, becoming frustrating and exhausting when nothing aligns with your desires. The mechanics are well-designed but soon feel repetitive once you grasp the basic tricks the game relies on. The beginning is very slow, and later days can be demotivating, especially when you know what you should do, but the game tries to sabotage you by randomly giving you rooms that don't suit your needs.

But That's Not All

The rooms in the game offer unique content, challenges, and rewards depending on their color. While some are just hallways with doors on the other side, others may hold key resources like keys, coins, or diamonds. The Observatory, for example, might reward you based on the number of stars you find in the sky, while green rooms often hide useful items and access to valuable tools. Rooms with drawings allow you to change the selection of upcoming rooms if the initial choice doesn't suit you.

In Blue Prince, keys are essential for opening locked doors, and their number increases as you progress through the mansion. Coins can buy valuable items in shops, while diamonds grant access to larger, more significant rooms with multiple exits and strategic options. However, not all rooms are friendly. Some require more diamonds at times when you don't have them. Dark rooms further complicate decisions because they don't reveal what's behind them until you open the door.

The curiosity doesn't stop there, as the mansion hides helpful tools like hammers or magnifying glasses. Of course, the rule is that you can't save anything for the next day/attempt—except for one item in a special location that appears randomly. Every challenge, step, and item disappears, and everything resets to the beginning. You must spend the night in a tent, and the next day, a new room layout. My advice? Keep your patience—success will come eventually.

Where Are the Solutions?

After all this, you might already think Blue Prince is challenging enough, barely controlling everything—but now we come to the puzzles. They can be divided into two basic types. The first can be solved immediately and provide valuable materials, while the second spans the entire house or even crosses boundaries.

An example of the first type is found right at the start, in a guest room with three chests and one key. You must carefully read what each says because only one is correct, while the other two are empty. Most such puzzles in rooms seem trivial and can be solved immediately, but occasionally, you'll encounter ones requiring deeper exploration and connecting clues. As days pass, their complexity increases, but not necessarily their intrigue. At one point, I started solving them routinely without much thought or excitement. They function more as incidental obstacles than elements with lasting impact or a real sense of achievement.

What is The Main Goal Of Blue Prince?

Unlike side adventures, the main goal that brought us to Mt. Holly is the real treat. As I've already mentioned, almost every room hides something, and it's astonishing when you discover what's been right under your nose. Here, the game demands your full engagement—not as someone looking for a solution, but as someone who must ask the right questions. That's why note-taking is crucial. Everything you come across—symbols, messages, papers, fragments of objects, computers, etc.—might make sense later. But you have to record it yourself—outside the game. If you don't take notes, days can easily pass in aimless wandering.

At first, I thought I was careful enough that nothing could slip past me, but I quickly faced a wall— literally and figuratively. I felt so stupid that the game completely exposed me. However, that's precisely the point—the game wants you to understand how it wants you to think and build motivation for progression. Some seemingly insignificant details might be key, and when everything clicks, you get that "a-ha!" moment, which is incredibly satisfying and well-earned.

The Look and Feel

Blue Prince draws you into its world with a visually clean and pleasing style. Despite some rooms radiating bright coloUrs, the overall ambiance leaves an impression of unease and enhances the somber tone. Everything is minimalist, from interactions to the interface itself, with a clear focus on the gameplay. The music is always present, subtle in the background, and never too intrusive, but it plays a role in maintaining tension and creating emotional weight. We enhanced our gaming sessions with the C6-100 gaming headset—it made the whole experience more immersive!

In Conclusion

After several days of searching for Room 46, I can say that Blue Prince simultaneously entertained, surprised, and mentally exhausted me—but in a good way. I especially appreciate how everything in the game is connected and meaningful, from daily step planning to interesting rooms and puzzles to larger mysteries that gradually unfold. It's important to note that a story exists here but is not the focus. It's not in the foreground or the background—it feels more like a quiet company, occasionally reminding you that something bigger awaits on this expedition.

It's hard not to notice how much attention has been paid to every detail because even after 20 hours of play, it's clear that this is just a small piece of the grand experience Blue Prince offers. For a €30 adventure, there's plenty of fun to be had, but if you're not 100% sure Blue Prince will appeal to you, a cheaper option is to try it through Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. Take your time and approach this game slowly—that's the main prerequisite for enjoying its unpredictable and branching structure.

Rating:

8.3/10—Blue Prince excels in originality, atmosphere, and intricate puzzles, but its slow start, repetitive mechanics, and occasional frustration keep it from perfection.

Recommended Age:

13+ – Due to its strategic complexity, subtle horror elements, and need for patience and critical thinking, it's best suited for teens and older players.