Blue Prince is a roguelike puzzle masterpiece

Gameplay experience & note‑taking

• Many players strongly recommend pen and paper; some say it feels effectively required for “meta” and overarching puzzles.
• Several wish the game had an in‑game notebook; others argue physical notes are more expressive for complex deduction (timelines, diagrams, arrows).
• A few note that generic digital tools (Steam overlay notes, dual‑monitor notepad) partly fill the gap, though Steam’s notes feature is reported buggy and Game Pass integration is awkward.
• One commenter suggests that building a rich note system is a big ask for a small indie team.

RNG, repetition, and puzzle structure

• Some players call it a top‑tier or even favorite puzzle game of the year, praising the mystery, atmosphere, and layered metapuzzles.
• Others report bouncing off after 8–10+ hours, describing runs dominated by repeated rooms, resource puzzles, and long stretches where progress is locked behind multiple layers of randomness.
• There’s disagreement on whether the random room drafting is well‑designed strategy (once you learn its rules and juggle multiple simultaneous goals) or a time‑wasting gate that can make discoveries feel like gambling.
• Critics of the design complain that certain multi‑step puzzles require rare item/room combinations with poor rewards, while supporters say the game drip‑feeds meaningful clues each run if you don’t tunnel on a single objective.

Roguelike vs roguelite and meta‑progression

• Thread branches into a broader debate on roguelikes vs roguelites, meta‑progression, and how much a run should depend on RNG versus player skill.
• Classic roguelike fans argue that persistent upgrades undermine the “from scratch” arcade spirit; others say meta‑progression and unlocks are now standard and can be used to gate complexity rather than just power.

Reception, trust, and “advertising” concerns

• Some commenters view the glowing review and self‑submission as indistinguishable from unpaid advertising, especially contrasted with mixed player reactions and RNG complaints.
• Others defend the review as genuine criticism in line with the author’s past writing, and note the game’s strong critical reception elsewhere.
• There’s discussion of a potential critic–player disconnect: reviewers allegedly focus on early/midgame engagement, while some players feel the game runs out of steam or becomes a Skinner box.

Platform & accessibility notes

• The game is on Game Pass and PS Plus Extra/Premium; players mention it runs “Playable” on Steam Deck and works on Linux/SteamOS, though small text can be an issue.
• One PS player reports motion sickness from the first‑person movement.
• Tone is described as mildly eerie but not gory, and possibly suitable as a “bedtime story”–style game to watch with kids.