In the first-person puzzle strategy game Blue Prince, players find themselves inheriting a grand mansion from a deceased relative. However, as is often the case with eccentric benefactors, there’s a stipulation: to claim ownership of the ornate estate, one must navigate through its 45 rooms and discover the elusive Room 46. The twist? Players are not merely exploring; they are actively constructing the mansion, room by room, as they delve deeper into its mysteries.
House of Cards
During my initial encounter with Blue Prince at GDC, I was captivated by one particular puzzle that lingered in my mind long after the demo ended. Fast forward four months, and I was thrilled to receive an invitation from developer Dogubomb to explore a nearly-complete version of the game. After dedicating an additional 30 hours to the mansion, I finally cracked that elusive puzzle, only to realize it was just one of many challenges awaiting me.
As players begin their journey in the foyer, they are presented with doors leading north, east, and west. Each door opens to a selection of three room cards, representing various spaces such as a bedroom, kitchen, or library. The mansion is structured in a grid—five rooms wide and nine rooms long—allowing for the construction of 45 unique rooms. To access Room 46, players must strategically draw room cards and navigate the mansion’s intricate layout, which can prove to be quite a challenge.
Strategic planning is essential, as players start each day with a limited number of steps—50 to be exact. Each movement through a doorway consumes one step, creating a sense of urgency in a mansion filled with possibilities. However, players can replenish their steps by discovering restful spaces or building specific rooms, such as a kitchen that offers snacks. This dynamic introduces tough decisions: should one backtrack to unlock a previously locked door, or continue forging ahead? Running out of steps resets the day, forcing players to reconsider their approach.
Throughout the mansion, players will encounter not only keys but also gems and gold coins, which can be utilized to construct uncommon rooms or purchase items. Various tools, such as a sledgehammer for breaking open chests or a magnifying glass for uncovering clues, add layers of complexity to the exploration. Yet, once the day concludes and steps run out, all collected items reset, compelling players to strategize anew.
Home Improvement
The puzzles within Blue Prince range from self-contained enigmas to sprawling challenges that require players to gather clues over time. As I explored, I meticulously documented my findings, creating a web of connections between seemingly unrelated clues. The satisfaction of piecing together these mysteries was profound, as I often found myself excitedly flipping through notes to connect the dots.
The game evokes a board game-like atmosphere, with its card-drawing mechanics and strategic room-building. It also carries an escape room essence, as players delve deeper into the mansion rather than seeking an exit. With roguelike elements, each day resets progress, yet players can make permanent alterations to the mansion, ensuring that their efforts are not entirely in vain. Certain rooms, once discovered, will always remain in place, while others can be adjusted to enhance future runs.
As I continued to play, I felt increasingly empowered, learning to shape the mansion to suit my needs rather than relying on luck. Each session brought new insights and tools, allowing me to navigate the mansion with greater confidence.