For those who find themselves struggling with Blue Prince, the popular puzzle game set in a quirky mansion, let me tell you: you’re not alone. Puzzle enthusiasts and critics alike are hailing it as one of the year’s standout games. Sure, it involves math—not your typical arithmetic, but a kind with its own bizarre rules. However, let’s put any embarrassment aside when it comes to looking up those rules or anything else that might trip you up. Trust me, it won’t detract from your gaming experience.
Initially, I imagined Blue Prince would be akin to Outer Wilds, a title where solving puzzles gradually unveils the narrative. Blue Prince is partially like that but also distinct in its own right. Scattered notes and old newspapers reveal snippets of its story, yet the main attraction is conquering the intricately designed mansion. Puzzles are scattered throughout, and they only loosely relate to the narrative. In many cases, their primary purpose is simply to help you progress through the mansion as days go by.
While there’s undeniable satisfaction in independently solving each challenge, there are moments when taking a shortcut by checking a solution can enhance your enjoyment. Blue Prince isn’t a game that gets spoiled by consulting a guide. Typically, all you’ll uncover is the puzzle’s logic—its sequence or clues to identify. Take the math challenge, for instance, which varies daily. You can’t jot down the answers—they change too frequently. Even once you crack the color code, piecing the equation together still relies on your skills.
Some puzzles remain constant, but require awareness before you even recognize they’re puzzles. Referring to a guide for just enough information can help break through moments of stagnation. It can also clarify the game’s structure when you’re new to it. Around day 30, I stumbled upon a noticeable pattern in each room, so I double-checked online and discovered others noticed the same thing. Instead of delving deeper, I kept playing, confident it would play a role later—and eventually, it did.
Occasionally, Blue Prince can frustrate when attempts don’t yield tangible progress. Until you master the art of drafting rooms strategically, you might find many days ending in dead ends. As the game progresses, this becomes more manageable, but the chance of unlucky runs never fully disappears. Some unique rooms linked to particular puzzles won’t always appear when needed, and you might lack the right tools at crucial moments.
When you do find everything falling into place and yearn to move forward, it’s worthwhile to glance at a guide or seek hints from friends. Believe it or not, there are players who’ve unearthed new elements after over 100 hours. Not every puzzle clicks with every player, and occasionally, a gentle nudge in the right direction is all it takes.
