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About Order of the Sinking Star
Order of the Sinking Star is an adventure-puzzle game from Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid and The Witness. Set in a surreal magical world, it tasks players with solving over 1000 interconnected puzzles while figuring out a dense narrative. Thekla, Inc and Arc Games released it on December 31, 2026, for PC. The game emphasizes slow-burn discovery, with each puzzle tied to a broader mystery. Players take on various heroes, each with unique abilities that reshape how challenges are approached. It’s a single-player experience designed for deep focus, blending environmental storytelling with mechanics that evolve as the story progresses.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around solving hand-crafted puzzles that shift in complexity as new mechanics are introduced. Each level acts as a self-contained puzzle, but solutions often rely on earlier lessons. Players manipulate environments using hero-specific tools, like altering gravity or bending light, while navigating magical traps. Sessions typically involve backtracking to revisit areas with new abilities, creating a spiral of re-evaluation. Controls are precise but unintuitive at first, requiring patience. The single-player mode prioritizes exploration over action, with minimal combat. Progression feels earned through lateral thinking, though some puzzles risk feeling opaque without hints.
What Players Think
PlayPile community ratings average 88%, with 32% of players completing the game. Average playtime is 20 hours, though 18% report over 30 hours. The mood is split between “satisfying” and “frustrating,” with one reviewer calling it “a masterclass in obfuscation.” Achievements total 100, with 70% unlocked at the halfway mark. Critics praise its ambition but note pacing issues, with 28% of reviews mentioning “unwarranted difficulty spikes.” The game’s 92% Metacritic score highlights its polish, but 15% of PlayPile users DNF’d, citing “excessive backtracking.”
PlayPile's Take
Order of the Sinking Star is a high-risk, high-reward puzzle game for dedicated problem-solvers. At $59.99, it’s pricey but packed with content for those who thrive on mental challenges. The 100 achievements offer a clear progression path, though the 32% completion rate warns of its toughness. Skip this if you prefer straightforward mechanics or quick sessions. For fans of Blow’s prior work, it’s a worthy successor, but newcomers should prepare for a steep learning curve and a game that prioritizes depth over accessibility.
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Single player
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