Key information
Game designer Jonathan Blow announced Order of the Sinking Star at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. Set for release on October 8, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch, the top-down puzzle game builds on Sokoban-style block pushing with four puzzle mechanics.
Development took 10 years partly because Blow simultaneously created the Jai programming language to power the game through a custom engine. Blow prioritizes mechanics over narrative, ensuring gameplay comes first so that narrative does not restrict mechanical discoveries.
Rejecting sequels and engagement-driven design, Blow avoids artificial retention tactics like achievements, praising Nintendo for omitting such features. Blow notes that he creates games he personally wants to play while maintaining full creative freedom.
Normal completion takes about 250 hours across more than 1000 puzzles, exceeding 500 hours to solve every puzzle. Blow views his games as artistic creations rather than purely commercial products, striving to stay faithful to the original core vision.
