Blue Prince review: House call

by

In popular stories, there’s a common trope where the protagonist inherits a large sum of money, but must spend a night in an old house to claim it. Game developers Raw Fury and Dogubomb have taken this concept with their game Blue Prince, though they’ve avoided the typical haunted house twist. Instead, they’ve created an engaging first-person experience that combines elements of roguelike and puzzle games, challenging players to solve complex puzzles throughout their journey towards the house and beyond its antechamber.

What’s behind Door #46?

Blue Prince transports players to Mount Holly’s ancient mansion. The late Herbert S. Sinclair bequeathed his wealth to his grandnephew, Simon P. Jones, but for Simon to claim it, he must navigate through the labyrinthine Mount Holly estate and locate its elusive 46th room. The estate boasts a mere 45 rooms, with the only consistent feature being the antechamber situated beyond the entrance. Although it seems straightforward, the mansion’s layout shifts every day. If the player exhausts their steps or encounters a dead end with no escape route, they must “Wrap up for today,” which will reset the house’s configuration for the following day.

Each morning, players abide by certain rules, most crucially, they can traverse no more than 50 spaces daily, and each room counts as a single space. Retracing steps is also counted, so players should plan their moves cautiously. An unopened door could lead to any of three randomly selected rooms, which is where the Blue Prince often sets its traps.

Often, a room within the manor may be accessed through multiple doors, but sometimes there might be fewer doors, none at all, or too many locked ones. Each room has specific rules that can be hard to recall, but it’s simpler to remember they are categorized by color. Understanding how each color-coded room operates becomes less challenging over time. It’s also important to note that a room can only be entered once, so opening an unlocked four-way hallway early in the game could have significant implications later on. Through trial and error, strategies tend to solidify, and your approach to the manor gradually adapts.

Interior decorating

In several rooms within the game, there’s a unique feature that sets them apart. Some may hold gems, which serve as a means to select particular rooms, while others might contain coins for buying items. The game combines elements of roguelike and puzzler genres, so success in Blue Prince can sometimes rely on chance. Occasionally, you’ll encounter new rooms filled with random items like a shovel or sledgehammer, which could help with exploration. However, what you might encounter more frequently are locked doors, forcing you to restart or gather information when this happens. Unfortunately, you may find yourself in situations where you’ve drafted a room with a locked door without the key, or been forced into a room with no exit path. At these moments, your options become either starting over or seeking additional information.

What makes Blue Prince so delightful is its unique blend of features. It’s a roguelike game, but what sets it apart is the opportunity to acquire permanent upgrades. Venturing beyond the manor is not just permitted, but rewarding as you discover hints about unlocking different sections of the house, providing daily perks such as extra steps or starting gems. However, the most enduring upgrade comes from within. It’s about understanding each room’s function and devising strategies to optimize their use. It’s about strategically placing rooms for maximum benefit. It’s about knowing which rooms to steer clear of until a sudden realization strikes that you need that very room in a specific situation. Blue Prince is rich with such moments, and they keep coming, leaving me eager to discover more even after playing for nearly a month.

In Blue Prince, almost every room holds intriguing details that warrant exploration. You might find clues or hidden secrets, such as a dartboard in the Billiard Room or a safe in the Boudoir. Even a simple note in a corridor could leave you pondering if it’s just a regular note or if it holds a concealed message. These seemingly trivial mysteries can accumulate to solve larger enigmas that traverse multiple rooms. Solving these intricate puzzles often requires a physical notepad and numerous screenshots for further study. It’s also enjoyable to invite a friend or partner to join in the quest for answers. However, these puzzles can sometimes be overly complex, leading you to uncover the solution to a puzzle like the Breaker Room’s fuse box after researching various areas, but even with the necessary information at hand, solving something like the Boiler Room enigma can feel so confusing that it becomes aggravating.

Even though diving into the intricate world of Blue Prince may seem daunting at first, it’s absolutely worth exploring for the sheer depth it offers. Beyond the initial quest of reaching that mysterious antechamber, there’s a larger narrative waiting to unfold, one that expands in scale much like the enigmatic stories found in games such as Portal.

Whose house?

Blue Prince offers a unique puzzle gaming adventure that challenges players not only with in-game obstacles, but also by testing their mental agility. This game is a roguelike, designed to push your ability to advance, as much within yourself as within the game itself. Its pace is thoughtfully controlled, though this can sometimes be frustrating for those who prefer a faster pace. Unfortunately, it seems there’s no option for running, whether you’re inside or outside the house.

Regardless of its occasionally monotonous background music, Blue Prince’s unique gameplay mechanics and wealth of hidden secrets make it an undeniably captivating experience. It doesn’t matter if it takes more than 100 days to reach the treasure in the 46th room; this game will leave players feeling as though they’ve struck gold, no matter what.

Read More

2025-04-07 16:28