Despite being part of the undeniably oversaturated Roguelike subgenre,Blue Princeis a game like no other. It combines mystery story-telling, a variety of different styles of puzzles, and RNG-infused house-planning, all encapsulated in a daily-loop-Roguelike structure.
While this makes it a unique title, the combination of a gradually unfurling mystery and a looping structure means that it has drawn some comparisons toOuter Wilds. Even though there is plenty that separates these two games, there’s a surprising amount that they share, too, so which comes out on top?
Gameplay
Outer Wilds
It might take you a while to get accustomed to flying your spaceship in Outer Wilds, but once you’re comfortable with all the controls, speeding around the different planets and racing to find new information within the 22-minute loop is a joy. It sounds like it could be stressful, but for most of the game, it’s surprisingly meditative.
The gameplay of Blue Prince can be frustrating when the RNG isn’t on your side, and sometimes you’ll dedicate a whole run to uncovering a certain secret, and it’s just simply not in the cards, and you’ve wasted your time. However, when it works, it’s incredibly satisfying, and it’s hard to know if it would be as satisfying if it weren’t for all those failed runs to compare the successes to.
Presentation
Blue Prince
The majority of Blue Prince is played in the first person, and from this perspective, it looks fantastic. The thick outlines paired with the cell-shaded art style are impactful, and combined with the sense of style the UI and typography share, it all comes together really well… if we ignore the slightly janky character models.
Compared to Blue Prince, Outer Wilds takes a less stylistic approach, but it’s still perfectly serviceable. While screenshots of Outer Wilds aren’t anything to marvel at, it’s when the game’s world is in motion that it is truly spectacular.
World Design
Exploring the Outer Wilds is something that feels simple enough at first, but after you’re a few hours into the game, and you discover just how much depth and life is held within the 22-minute snapshot you’re playing through, it sinks in just how impressive it all is.
Blue Prince, on the other hand, has a much more restrained sense of scale. Unlike Outer Wilds' world, which is designed so intentionally, every day in Blue Prince, you’re constructing a new house, so there’s less control in designing certain choreographed moments within the game’s world. However, the oppressive ambiance of Blue Prince is palpable, and the sense of being constantly watched makes it sometimes feel like it strays into subtle horror territory.
The Mystery
Mount Holly Manor is not home to just one mystery, and the depth that there is to uncover will constantly impress you with its scale. On one hand, this can be overwhelming, especially with how little is in your control, but on the other hand, it makes it so there’s always motivation to keep playing.
Outer Wilds, however, is more restrained in the scale of its mystery. By the time you’ve finished your first complete run, you’ve likely discovered most ofwhat the world has to hideand have a satisfying conclusion. While it doesn’t create much replay value, it can make for a more complete experience, but that depends on preference. However, if you really want to keep playing, there is a separate DLC storyline that you can start after finishing the first.
Progression
The 50 steps and lack of any resources you start Blue Prince with can make you feel pretty powerless atthe beginning of the game. That’s why it’s so satisfying tounlock permanent upgradesto give you a sense of progression. While most of the manor itself remains the same, you’ll be surprised by just how much changes outside of it.
The beauty of Outer Wilds is how, at the start of every run, you essentially have the same tools you did right at the beginning of the game; the only thing that changes is what you know. For some, this simplicity is appreciated, but for others, this can make your progress through the game feel a little too loose and less tactile.
Quality Of Life
Outer Wilds knows that it’s throwing a lot of information at you, and because of that, it gives you permanent systems that will keep track of everything you’ve read and learned. While this might slightly break immersion, it makes playing the game a lot simpler and saves you from screenshotting everything for fear of losing track.
Blue Prince explicitly encourages you to use a notebook to keep track of hints, secrets, and new information, and while that has a charming, retro-sense of nostalgia, like you’re really uncovering something in real life, it doesn’t always feel that way in person. you may’t know what’s relevant, with the game drowning in red herrings, and pausing to write something down can break the game’s pacing. And with how long the game is, it’s also just easy to forget certain tidbits that you don’t know are important until hours later.
The Loop
The star of Outer Wilds is its time loop. Everything about it is perfectly explained by the end of the game, and not only does it make the story better, but the gameplay as well. Starting to learn where and when something happens in the massive planet system isn’t something replicated in any other game.
Blue Prince doesn’t feature an explicit time loop, but with how the manor resets at the beginning of every in-game day, it does start to feel like something akin to one. You will start to feel more comfortable in Blue Prince’s world eventually, but with everything changing around you, it creates a unique atmosphere that gives playing the game a one-of-a-kind vibe.
Winner
Outer Wilds is an ambitious game, but it’s never working against the player. You’re given all the tools you need to complete the game, and it always feels like you’re encouraged to keep going. It makes getting to the end inviting and satisfying once you’re finally there.
Blue Prince, on the other hand, is a tougher case to crack, and depending on your preferences, that might be a more enjoyable experience. No two players will have the same routes to the end, but to get there, you’ll likely need help from sources outside the game itself. The lack of quality-of-life tracking features occasionally makes it feel like the game is working against you, but some might like the sense of challenge this creates.
