This is the sole tip you need for starting with Blue Prince.

      The top game of 2025 has just been released — and it’s not Grand Theft Auto 6.

      Blue Prince has received the best reviews of the year so far, surpassing Split Fiction and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. You’ll quickly see why once you start playing. This puzzle game stands out as one of the most original video games I’ve experienced, combining the enigmatic atmosphere of Riven with an intellectual roguelike focused on a constantly changing manor. The game is packed with challenging puzzles that could take years to solve without any hints, which is a positive aspect. While you might be tempted to seek answers immediately, Blue Prince offers a richer experience the less you know.

      If you’re looking for some guidance as you embark on the quest for Room 46, there’s just one piece of advice I can offer: Approach it like any roguelike.

      In Blue Prince, your objective is to navigate through a manor in search of a concealed room. You’ll always begin in an entrance hall featuring three doors. Each time you open one, you must select a new adjacent room from three available options. Each room can hold items, puzzles, and secrets, while others have functionalities that complement those of different rooms. A significant element of chance is at play, as you frequently hope to access a specific room with a certain item, only to receive something entirely different.

      This might seem frustrating at first, but the secret to succeeding in Blue Prince is learning to adapt to the circumstances just as you would in an action roguelike. For instance, if you enter the manor and find a shovel early on, this item allows you to dig in dirt patches for essential items like keys and gems. With strategic drafting, you can create a sort of “build” that helps you maximize that advantage. You might discover rooms more likely to contain dirt, or ways to spread more dirt throughout the house. The more you explore, the more insights you’ll gain that will simplify future runs. In Blue Prince, every attempt is valuable as long as you learn something new. If you find yourself stuck, the best course of action is to draft a room you haven’t encountered before.

      This same principle applies to the rooms you select. There’s an immense amount of strategy contained in that simplistic mechanic, and I’ll leave the discovery of it to you. I will emphasize, however, that you should never commit entirely to a single strategy. It’s unlikely that you’ll receive the precise rooms in the exact layout you desire at the start, so maintaining flexibility and responsiveness to your circumstances is crucial. There are numerous mystery threads to pursue simultaneously. Keep track of every clue and follow leads based on the rooms you draft, rather than trying to force a particular sequence of events. There isn’t one definitive route to Room 46.

      Blue Prince shares more similarities with Balatro than with Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. In Balatro, success hinges on how you manage random chance. If you enter with the goal of creating a high card deck but don’t draw any Jokers that complement that strategy, you won't progress very far. Instead, you need to take advantage of what you have early in your run and adjust your strategy accordingly. Enter Blue Prince with the same mindset. Did you find a key with a specific purpose early on? Then concentrate on drafting the area where you’ll need to use it. Did you access a room containing a power breaker? Try to acquire more rooms that can benefit from it.

      By adopting this approach, you’ll find yourself advancing further with each run, much like in Hades 2. This isn’t due to permanent progression, although there is a degree of that, too. Rather, it’s because you’ve grasped drafting mechanics, learned how to utilize each tool effectively, and uncovered puzzle solutions that enhance your capabilities with every run. Each attempt boosts your knowledge rather than just your attack stats.

      Before rushing to guides to unravel the manor’s deepest secrets, take a moment to trust your instincts. You won’t finish the game in a single day, nor will you uncover every mystery without a significant time investment. Embrace the challenge and allow yourself to immerse in the intricate web of clues. Keep a notebook nearby. Take plenty of screenshots. If possible, play with a friend to share insights and brainstorm ideas. No matter what, just play.

      Blue Prince is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.