Get ready for a mind-bending adventure with Jonathan Blow's latest masterpiece, Order of the Sinking Star! This upcoming puzzle game promises to challenge and captivate players for an incredible 250 hours (or even 500 hours for the truly dedicated!). But here's where it gets controversial: will its ambitious scope and complexity be a blessing or a curse?
Since the groundbreaking success of The Witness in 2016, puzzle games have evolved, and Blow, the visionary behind Braid and The Witness, is taking things to a whole new level. Order of the Sinking Star, unveiled at The Game Awards 2025, boasts an impressive 1,000 individual puzzles, each building upon the last to create an intricate web of gameplay mechanics.
In a recent demo, I witnessed the game's grid-based isometric world come to life. Simple block-pushing mazes introduced the unique abilities of characters like the thief and the wizard, but as the levels progressed, the challenges became increasingly complex. Teleporting mirrors, hostile creatures, and phase-shifting beams added layers of difficulty, testing players' understanding and problem-solving skills.
The game's rewind feature, reminiscent of Braid, allows players to experiment and explore different puzzle variables without the frustration of constant restarts. But the true brilliance lies in the way these mechanics combine and interact, forcing players to think several steps ahead.
As the puzzles expand, so do the layers of interaction between characters and objects. One intriguing example involved switching characters to manipulate obstacles, with the wizard's unique ability to swap spots with blocks across the grid. Another twist saw a character replicating themselves, controlling clones simultaneously, leading to innovative puzzle solutions.
Zooming out to the overworld, the game's scale becomes apparent, and perhaps a little daunting. Players can explore puzzles in any direction, but the sheer number of options may overwhelm. The overworld itself acts as a progression system, with puzzles unlocking new map sections, adding even more depth to the puzzle-solving experience.
The concern arises: will the game's complexity be a barrier to entry, or will it encourage players to persevere and uncover its secrets? Retaining knowledge between sessions might prove challenging, especially with the vastness of the overworld and the need to track progress.
Blow and his team are aware of these challenges and are considering a hint system or limited-use mechanic to guide players without becoming a crutch. Environmental design and visual cues will also play a role in instructing players, ensuring they don't feel lost.
Beyond the puzzles, Order of the Sinking Star seems to tell a story through its series of challenges, with players controlling characters from different timelines. The intersection of these timelines and the cooperation between civilizations may offer a broader message about the game's world and human cooperation.
In addition to the game itself, Blow has been developing a proprietary game engine and programming language, which he plans to release as an open-source tool shortly after the game's launch.
Order of the Sinking Star is set to launch in 2026 on PC, with other platforms to follow. Will you dare to dive into this epic puzzle adventure?
Stay tuned for more updates and announcements from The Game Awards 2025, and check out the full winners list for all the latest gaming news!
