Order of the Sinking Star: Jonathan Blow's puzzle giant divides critics, a sourced analysis
Order of the Sinking Star is a huge puzzle game directed by Jonathan Blow (Braid, The Witness). Developed by Thekla, Inc. and published by Arc Games, it launched on 8 October 2026 on PC (Steam), PS5 and Switch 2. This analysis gathers three scored reviews of the PC version and prices checked on 11 November 2026. TricknFix has not played it.
Game trailer
The concept
The game offers more than 1,000 hand-crafted Sokoban-style puzzles: you push blocks around a grid seen from above. Four worlds, each with its own heroes, rules and story, gradually merge in a vast overworld, and their mechanics combine into new puzzles (Arc Games, GameSpot).
What the reviews say
DualShockers (8/10) calls it the most unique puzzle game it has ever played, with engaging mechanics and an expansive world. Steam Deck HQ (9/10 for content) praises the puzzle design and reports 60 fps in most areas on Steam Deck. GameSpot (8/10, not counted here because its platform was not verified) praises the tight puzzle design and the generous undo feature.
The criticism
The Wand Report (4/10) is very harsh. It describes a bloated Sokoban that is more laborious than fun, and criticises the game for reworking designs by Alan Hazelden, Jonah Ostroff and Sean Barrett while crediting them poorly. DualShockers finds it almost too long, with disjointed storytelling. GameSpot also mentions an at-times overwhelming size and a thin plot.
Prices
As of 11 November 2026, the game costs €30.49 on Steam and the Nintendo eShop (Switch 2), and €29.99 on the PlayStation Store (PS5). Text is available in French, but voices are English only.
Who is it for?
Patient fans of demanding puzzles. Players looking for a short game or a clear story may burn out.
What to know
Based on three scored reviews of the PC version, Order of the Sinking Star is a monument of inventive puzzles, but its sheer size and disjointed story sharply divide critics.
Strengths
- Original, inventive puzzles (DualShockers, Steam Deck HQ)
- Mechanics that combine across the four worlds (DualShockers)
- A vast world to explore freely (DualShockers)
- Good performance on Steam Deck in most areas (Steam Deck HQ)
Things to consider
- Almost excessively long (DualShockers)
- Disjointed, hard-to-follow story (DualShockers)
- Solving felt laborious and unrewarding (The Wand Report)
- Original puzzle designers poorly credited (The Wand Report)
Sources and credits
- Site officiel Order of the Sinking Star ↗
- Fiche Steam : développeur, éditeurs, date, langues ; 30,49 € relevé le 11/11/2026 ↗
- PlayStation Store FR : 29,99 €, relevé le 11/11/2026 ↗
- Nintendo eShop FR (Switch 2) : 30,49 €, relevé le 11/11/2026 ↗
- Bande-annonce de lancement PS5 (chaîne PlayStation) ↗
- Test DualShockers, PC, 07/10/2026 (8/10) ↗
- Test Steam Deck HQ, version PC sur Steam Deck, 07/10/2026 (contenu 9/10) ↗
- Test The Wand Report, PC, 08/10/2026 (4/10) ↗
- Test GameSpot (8/10, plateforme non vérifiée, cité mais non compté) ↗
- Cover image source ↗
Game gallery
4 images
Game details
- Developer
- Thekla, Inc.
- Publisher
- Arc Games
- Release
- Oct 8, 2026
- Genres
- Adventure · Puzzle · Indie
- Game website
- Official website ↗
Where to buy
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Player reviews
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