Order of the Sinking Star Launches: A Puzzle Masterpiece with Narrative and Political Controversies

Key points

• Order of the Sinking Star launched on October 8, 2026, for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5.
• The game features approximately 1,500 puzzles, estimated to take 500 hours to complete.
• It combines mechanics from four free indie games: Heroes of Sokoban, Promesst, Mirror Isles, and Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes.
• Developed by Thekla using a custom programming language (Jai) and engine, taking ten years to complete.
• Critics praise the puzzle design but criticize the thin narrative, visual clutter, and Blow's political views.

Background

Jonathan Blow, known for Braid and The Witness, spent a decade developing Order of the Sinking Star. The game uses a custom engine and programming language, Jai, to create a unique experience. It blends mechanics from four indie games, licensed with permission, into a single non-linear experience. The development was marked by Blow's controversial political views, leading to the original creators distancing themselves from him.

How outlets are covering it

Kotaku's Rebekah Valentine praises the puzzle design but criticizes the narrative, visual clutter, and Blow's political views. She notes the game's complexity and the impact of AI voices in the review build. BBC's Laura Cress highlights Blow's focus on design over business, his skepticism of AI, and the custom engine. Nintendo Everything's Jeremy Rice praises the puzzle variety and quality-of-life features but notes technical issues. GameSpot's Phil Hornshaw praises the puzzle design but criticizes the thin narrative and overwhelming complexity. All sources agree on the game's puzzle quality but differ on its narrative and presentation.

Why it matters

Order of the Sinking Star represents a significant achievement in puzzle game design, showcasing the potential of blending mechanics from multiple games. However, it also highlights the challenges of balancing complex mechanics with narrative and visual design. The controversy surrounding Jonathan Blow's political views and the original creators' distancing from him adds a layer of industry tension, reflecting broader debates about developer conduct and AI in game development.

What to watch

Players can expect a day-one patch to address technical issues, including the rewind feature bug. The full voice cast will replace the AI voices used in the review build. The game's long-term success will depend on player reception of its narrative and puzzle design, as well as the ongoing debate about Blow's political views and the use of AI in game development.