Blue Prince is one of those games that’s hard to pin down to a single genre, but it’s all the better for it. Developed by Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury, the game sends players deep into the shifting halls of Mt. Holly, an eerie mansion filled with secrets, puzzles, and plenty of mystery. On the surface, it’s a puzzler about exploring a strange estate, but beneath that lies a complex web of strategy and discovery – all wrapped in a mysterious narrative that steadily unfolds over repeated runs. It was one of our favorite previews to come out of Gamescom last year, and we couldn’t wait to dive into the final game on a PlayStation 5.
At the core of the experience is the room-drafting mechanic, where you select what lies beyond each new door as you explore Mt. Holly. This isn’t just random chance – the layout of the house changes each day, but you’re the one shaping the journey by choosing from available rooms (represented by tiles you select). Some are safe, some useful, and some introduce complications that can either help or hinder progress. The fact that the house resets daily adds a roguelike flavor to the formula, but the way you unlock permanent upgrades through estate blueprints helps it feel more manageable and rewarding over time.
Gameplay in Blue Prince thrives on the interplay between experimentation and long-term planning. Items you find – from keys and tools to cryptic notes – often have multiple uses, and figuring out how best to apply them is a major part of the appeal. A bit of bad luck in room selection can lead to dead ends, but clever choices and item usage can often turn things around, giving players a sense of real agency and progress. That said, the learning curve might be a bit steep for players expecting a more straightforward puzzle game, as many of the game’s deeper mechanics only emerge after several resets and you’ll definitely play in a different way on your second playthrough as well.
The game’s narrative slowly takes shape as you explore, with fragments of information tucked away in notes, room details, and odd conversations. What begins as a search for the elusive “Room 46” becomes a layered mystery involving political cover-ups, a missing children’s author, and family secrets hidden within Mt. Holly’s crumbling walls. These discoveries aren’t dumped on you all at once – instead, they’re scattered throughout the mansion in ways that feel natural and rewarding for curious players.
Blue Prince’s presentation plays a big role in its appeal. The visual style blends cozy and unsettling in equal measure, with painterly environments that feel alive even when they’re empty. The lighting in particular stands out – some rooms glow warmly while others are drenched in shadows, subtly guiding your expectations before you even step inside. The ambient soundtrack is understated but effectively reinforces the mood, shifting from calming to ominous as needed.
While the game isn’t flawless – especially with occasional frustration tied to unlucky layouts or unclear item functions – it’s the kind of indie experience that sticks with you because it’s unique, engaging and rewarding. The combination of shifting mechanics, narrative intrigue, and charmingly eerie visuals makes Blue Prince one of the more original titles to hit PlayStation 5 recently. If you’re a fan of games that reward experimentation and pay close attention to narrative breadcrumbs, this mysterious mansion is well worth stepping into.
Score: 9.0/10
Press Play Media 