There’s a new game taking over the charts this month, and it has already surpassed Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds and Hazelight Studios’ Split Fiction in review scores and critic ratings.
Blue Prince, the indie debut from developer Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury, currently holds an impressive 91 on OpenCritic and a 92 on Metacritic. Both Wilds and Split Fiction trail slightly behind this unexpected indie breakout.
So what exactly is Blue Prince, and what makes it a strong contender for Game of the Year?
At its core, Blue Prince is an indie game centered around exploration and puzzles. If you’ve played titles like What Remains of Edith Finch, Dear Esther, or Gone Home, there’s a familiar tone you might expect. However, this comparison alone doesn’t do the game justice.
Without giving too much away, Blue Prince is an exploration-based puzzler set in a mysterious, ever-shifting manor. While it’s not a horror game, it carries an uncanny, otherworldly atmosphere wrapped in serious charm. The deeper you venture into the manor, the more secrets unfold. Much like Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves, the game takes a surreal turn, presenting puzzles that touch on the eerie and emotionally resonant, alongside a haunting family narrative.
Similar to Mobius Digital’s Outer Wilds, it’s difficult to discuss Blue Prince without spoiling the key moments. It’s the kind of experience that defies traditional explanation—it demands to be played. Whether you end up loving it or not, the game asks you to immerse yourself in its narrative. Those who do will find a rich world of secrets and perplexing yet satisfying challenges. Those who don’t can move on to the next title in their backlog.
With its slew of 9/10 and 10/10 reviews from reputable gaming outlets, Blue Prince is a testament to the enduring appeal of indie games. It shows that smaller titles can still leave a massive impact, captivating both new and longtime gamers.
Dogubomb’s Blue Prince launches on April 10 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam (PC). It will also be available at no additional cost to PlayStation Plus Extra and Xbox Game Pass subscribers.