If you’ve been struggling with Blue Prince, the popular puzzle game that involves navigating a peculiar mansion, you’re not alone. Even though critics and puzzle enthusiasts are hailing it as one of the standout games of the year, it throws players a curveball by making you solve complex math challenges—complete with its own set of invented rules. But don’t stress; there’s absolutely no disgrace in seeking out those rules or looking up walkthroughs when you’re stumped. Spoiling puzzles doesn’t take away from the enjoyment.
Heading into Blue Prince, I was expecting something akin to the experience of playing Outer Wilds, where each puzzle you solve effectively unravels parts of the storyline. Blue Prince does have elements of that, yet it’s a different beast altogether. While scattered notes and clippings hint at past events, the game’s real focus lies in the cerebral challenge of its intricate mansion. Many puzzles are there for the sake of solving them, and some simply exist to propel you forward on your daily journey through the mansion.
Sure, solving a puzzle completely on your own can be incredibly satisfying, but there’s nothing wrong with occasionally consulting a guide to enhance your enjoyment. Blue Prince doesn’t get spoiled by knowing a few solutions in advance. Generally, you’re only uncovering how a particular puzzle works—like the sequence or what clues to look out for. Take the ever-changing math puzzles as an example; even if you know the color codes, you’ll still need to crack the problem independently.
Some puzzles stay the same, but they often present challenges because you need to recognize them for what they are before you even know a puzzle exists. Checking a guide just enough to get a feel for what’s ahead can definitely help you through those dead-end moments. It also gives you a clearer picture of the game’s structure early on. Around my 30th day in the mansion, I spotted a recurring theme in the rooms. Curious, I did a quick online search and found loads of related discussions. Instead of delving too deeply, I decided to keep playing, confident that this pattern would mean something later (and I was right).
Experiences in Blue Prince can be tough when a day’s exploration leads to no real gains. Drafting rooms strategically is a skill you’ll develop over time. However, you might still face less-than-ideal runs, where unique puzzle rooms don’t appear when you need them, or you lack the necessary items to proceed.
In those moments when things finally align but you find yourself stuck, don’t hesitate to refer to a guide or ask a friend for advice. There are players who are still unearthing new elements even after sinking over 100 hours into the game. Not every puzzle resonates with every player, and there’s no harm in needing a little push to figure things out.
