Order of the Sinking Star
| Order of the Sinking Star | |
|---|---|
| Developers | Thekla, Inc. |
| Publisher | Arc Games |
| Director | Jonathan Blow |
| Platform | Windows |
| Release | 2026 |
| Genre | Puzzle |
| Mode | Single-player |
Order of the Sinking Star is an upcoming puzzle video game developed by Thekla, Inc. and published by Arc Games. It is the third game directed by Jonathan Blow after Braid (2008) and The Witness (2016). It was developed using Jai, a programming language developed in-house by Blow and his studio. The game is scheduled for release on Windows in 2026.
Gameplay
The Order of the Sinking Star has four completely different sets of puzzle mechanics which combine over the course of the game.[1] Many of the game's mechanics are inspired by Sokoban-style games including Heroes of Sokoban (Jonah Ostroff), Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes & Mirror Isles (Alan Hazelden) and the Promesst series (Sean Barrett).[2] Early puzzles in the game work on a 2D plane, but later puzzles are 3D.[3]
The mechanics can start off simple yet lead to unexpected consequences. For example, in the "Mirror Isles" world of the game, a character can use a single mirror to teleport their reflection and change places with it. However, it is possible to use more than one mirror to cast more than one reflection, thereby making clones of the character that all move at once.[3]
While the reveal trailer stated the game has more than 1000 puzzles, director Jonathan Blow has stated that the game actually has more than 1400 puzzles.[3] Blow also stated that the game can take up to 250 hours to complete at a normal pace, and more than 500 hours to solve all puzzles.[4]
Development
When announced, the game had been in development for nearly 10 years.[2] Thekla created a new game engine for the game, which was itself created using a new programming language developed by the studio.[1] Thekla has plans to release the programming language and engine with parts not related to game for free after the game is released.[1] At the moment, the programming language is available only to a few hundred users in the closed beta.
According to Jonathan's Twitter posts, Patrick Traynor (known for Patrick's Parabox), Zach Polansky, and Marc Ten Bosch (author of 4D toys) designed some levels of the game.
In December 2025, game developer Alan Hazelden, who licensed Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes and Mirror Isles for use the game, made a statement against Blow regarding his political views, citing Blow's support for Donald Trump, negative views on diversity, equity and inclusion, and opinions on COVID-19 vaccations. Two other developers from the same project, Sean Barrett and Jonah Ostroff, also echoed the statements made by Hazelden on social media.[5]
Release
The game was announced at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025.[6] The trailer revealed that the game will feature over 1000 puzzles and will be released in 2026.[2]
Notes and references
- ^ a b c "Braid and The Witness creator announces first new video game in nine years". Metro. Dec 11, 2025. Retrieved Dec 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c McWhertor, Michael (Dec 11, 2025). "The Witness creator reveals his next massive puzzle adventure, Order of the Sinking Star". Polygon. Retrieved Dec 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c Pelliccio, Meg (Dec 11, 2025). "Jonathan Blow Says Order Of The Sinking Star Has "Much Higher" Puzzle Quality Than Braid Or The Witness". TheGamer. Valnet. Retrieved Dec 11, 2025.
- ^ Higham, Michael (Dec 11, 2025). "The Witness and Braid Creator Jonathan Blow Announces New 250-Hour Puzzle Game, Order of the Sinking Star". IGN. Retrieved Dec 11, 2025.
- ^ Schreier, Jason (January 22, 2026). "A Controversial Video-Game Designer Returns With a New Game and More Controversy". Bloomberg. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Earl, William (Dec 11, 2025). "'Order of the Sinking Star' Puzzle Adventure Game From Jonathan Blow, Arc Games Set for 2026 Launch". Variety. Retrieved Dec 11, 2025.