This Roguelite Adventure Game Is Taunting Me To Understand It, And I Won’t Back Down
As I entered the fifth room in my preview of Blue Prince, I knew I was doomed. I didn’t know all that much about the narrative-driven puzzle game going into it, but right around the moment I realized I was actually playing a roguelite, I was hooked. This game has a decent chance of becoming my whole personality for a few days when it comes out.
Blue Prince lays the groundwork for its mystery in its first few minutes. You’re the heir to your recently deceased great-uncle’s fortune and lavish estate but only if you discover the supposed 46th room in the notably only-45-room mansion where he once lived. You’re told you can’t stay in the mansion overnight or take items out of it. As a final direction, you’re warned that the layout of the mansion beyond the initial foyer will change every day.
After stepping into the foyer, you have a choice of going through a door on the left, a door on the right, or a door straight ahead. When you do, you’re offered a choice of three random rooms that a door can lead to. Some rooms promise keys that can be used to unlock locked doors or chests. Others hide currency that can be spent on items that inform the metroidvania-like exploration or food to energize you so that you can push yourself further. Occasionally, they just help you keep moving forward.