I’ve Put Over 100 Hours in Blue Prince, And This 2018 Gem Scratched the Same Itch

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Summary

  • Blue Prince is a rewarding puzzle game that will leave players wanting more.
  • Return of the Obra Dinn is a 2018 gem that can help fill the void for those looking for Blue Prince-style experiences.
  • Both games have earned widespread critical acclaim and are among the best in the puzzle genre.

Since the release of “Blue Prince” on Xbox Game Pass in April, it has significantly influenced my life, becoming a near-constant part of my routine. The game piqued my interest when former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida touted it as a possible Game of the Year candidate, and since its launch, my wife and I have played it almost every day. I must concur with Mr. Yoshida’s assessment; “Blue Prince” is an extraordinary amalgamation of puzzle-solving and roguelike mechanics that is both rewarding and difficult to put down. Despite my frequent sessions with the game, it now demands slightly less time due to reaching a stage where there are fewer objectives to pursue. As a result, my wife and I have been seeking an alternative activity to help fill the void left by “Blue Prince”.

I recently dove into “Return of the Obra Dinn,” a 2018 first-person puzzle game that’s long caught my eye. Its impressive reviews, distinctive monochrome aesthetic, and unusual narrative have kept it on my watchlist, but I didn’t give it a try until I finished playing “Blue Prince” and sought a comparable adventure. Having completed “Return of the Obra Dinn,” I can’t help but suggest it to fellow fans of “Blue Prince” who are craving something similar.

In contrast to Blue Prince, Return of the Obra Dinn doesn’t incorporate roguelike or exploration mechanics. Instead, it presents a complex, intriguing puzzle that requires solving. The story centers around the sunken ship named Obra Dinn, which mysteriously lost all its passengers and crew during its final voyage. Armed with a mystical pocketwatch, players navigate the ship to uncover how each person met their end or disappeared. The objective of the game is to determine everyone’s identity, the reason behind their demise, and who was responsible for their deaths.

Return of the Obra Dinn is a Fantastic Puzzle Game

Instead of Blue Prince offering a multitude of puzzles, Obra Dinn is essentially one large logic puzzle. Players must decipher clues from conversations, visual cues of characters, and their activities on the ship to determine each person’s identity and fate. As players accurately identify three individuals and their fates, the game offers feedback, narrowing down potential candidates for future guesses and highlighting any misconceptions made in the process.

My wife and I immersed ourselves for a couple of evenings in the captivating universe of “Return of the Obra Dinn,” enjoying every moment as we untangled its intricate mysteries. Although it’s not as lengthy as “Blue Prince,” it still delivered a fulfilling puzzle game experience that catered to our preferences. Gamers new to this genre who are seeking something similar to “Blue Prince” should definitely give it a try. It offers a balanced challenge without becoming excessively frustrating, weaves an intriguing narrative, and ranks among the top puzzle games available today.

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2025-06-04 18:03