Blue Prince has quickly become the highest-rated game of 2025, and for good reason. As someone who’s spent countless hours exploring its mysterious corridors, I can honestly say it’s revolutionised how I think about puzzle games. This indie gem, created by artist Tonda Ros, places you as the heir to Mt. Holly – a sprawling mansion with one crucial objective: find the mythical “Room 46” to claim ownership of the entire estate. What makes this journey so captivating is how the mansion transforms with each new day, creating a constantly evolving puzzle that demands both creativity and strategy.
A Fresh Take on Puzzle Design
Blue Prince boldly steps away from traditional puzzle game formulas by introducing a unique drafting system. Each morning begins in the mansion’s central lobby, where you face three sealed doors. Choose one, and you’re presented with three potential rooms – but you can only select one to add to today’s layout.
This seemingly simple mechanic creates complex decision-making moments that had me second-guessing myself constantly. Should I prioritise a room with multiple exits to expand exploration options? Or choose one with special features that might help locate Room 46? These choices matter immensely as they shape your path through the ever-changing mansion.
The Roguelike Mansion Experience
What truly sets Blue Prince apart from other puzzle adventures is its roguelike structure. The mansion resets daily, forcing you to start anew from the central lobby each morning. Only certain permanent upgrades carry over, like blueprint enhancements or unlocked room types. This creates a brilliant balance between short-term exploration and long-term progression. I’ve found myself completely hooked by this loop – each failed attempt teaches you something valuable for the next run. The game brilliantly blends elements of roguelikes, puzzle solving, and exploration into something entirely fresh.
The Artistic Vision Behind Blue Prince
Tonda Ros, the creative mind behind Blue Prince, is not your typical game developer. Before starting this project in 2016, he had no game development experience whatsoever. As the director of Dogubomb, a studio creating commercials and visual materials for major brands like Pepsi and Sony, Ros brought a unique artistic perspective to game design. He assembled the prototype in just four months using pre-made Unity assets, and gradually built a team of about two dozen developers. The game draws inspiration from Christopher Manson’s 1985 puzzle book “Maze,” transforming that concept into an interactive digital experience. This artistic background explains the game’s distinctive visual style and unconventional approach.
Breaking Into Mainstream Success
Despite being described as an “arthouse game,” Blue Prince has accomplished something remarkable: mainstream success without compromising its creative vision. Critics have fallen in love with it, making it 2025’s highest-rated game on Metacritic so far. Even more exciting for players, it’s coming to both PlayStation Plus and Game Pass this month, which will introduce this gem to an even wider audience. Available for $29.99 on both PlayStation 5 and Steam, the game offers tremendous value considering the depth of its gameplay and replayability.
My Journey Through Mt. Holly
After spending nearly thirty hours exploring Mt. Holly’s shifting corridors, I’m still discovering new secrets and strategies. The strategic decisions involved in arranging rooms have challenged my puzzle-solving skills in ways I never expected. Some days I focus on creating efficient pathways, while on others I prioritise discovering new room types that might lead me closer to Room 46. The beauty of Blue Prince lies in how it respects your intelligence – it never holds your hand, instead trusting you to learn its systems through exploration and experimentation. While it might not be for everyone, those willing to embrace its unique blend of strategy and architectural planning will find one of the most rewarding gaming experiences of 2025.
