If you find yourself stumped by Blue Prince, the popular puzzle game set in an eccentric mansion, don’t worry—this is a judgment-free zone. Critics and fans alike herald it as one of the year’s best games, even though it challenges you with some serious math—though not the kind you learned in school. Instead, it introduces its own set of quirky rules. But here’s a little secret: venturing online for guidance or peeking at a walkthrough won’t kill the fun. In fact, it might just enhance your enjoyment.
When I first dove into Blue Prince, I half-expected it to mirror Outer Wilds, where solving puzzles gradually reveals the overarching storyline. Blue Prince does this to some extent, yet it carves its path differently. Sure, notes and newspapers littered about help piece together the narrative, but the game’s heart lies in outwitting its mechanical mansion. Plenty of puzzles scatter the game, with some only serving as stepping stones to navigate the mansion each day.
While solving every puzzle by yourself brings a sense of achievement, sometimes it’s more fun to take a shortcut and check out a solution. Let me assure you, Blue Prince doesn’t spoil itself if you read a few guides—they typically just crack the puzzle’s logical code, revealing the sequence of steps or what you should focus on. Take the math puzzles, for example. They change daily, so jotting down a permanent answer isn’t an option. Even after learning what each color signifies, you have to wrestle with the equation on your own.
Some puzzles are static, but they all require a bit of pre-awareness before you even realize they’re there. A quick glance at a guide can be the push you need when you’re stuck. It also builds a framework for understanding the game’s structure, especially when you’re just diving in. Around day 30, I noticed a recurring theme in each room. A quick Google search confirmed my suspicions, reassuring me I was on the right path without needing to dig any deeper. I kept playing, confident that I’d encounter the answer eventually—and I did.
There will be times when Blue Prince tests your patience, leaving you feeling like a run ended in vain. It takes a bit to strategize your room drafts effectively, and until then, you might find yourself frequently hitting dead ends. This frustration eases with time, but occasional unlucky runs are inevitable. The unique rooms tied to specific puzzles might not always appear when you need them, and you’ll sometimes lack the necessary items to proceed as planned.
During those moments when things fall into place, but you’re desperate to advance, consult a guide or phone a friend for a nudge. Many players discover new secrets even after sinking over 100 hours into the game. Not every puzzle will instantly click for every player, so don’t hesitate to seek a little help when you’re stuck.
