Order of the Sinking Star: Development Timeline and Puzzle Scope

Development History and Origins

Order of the Sinking Star, the latest project from Thekla, Inc. and director Jonathan Blow, represents a significant technical and creative undertaking. Announced at The Game Awards in December 2025, the game had been in active development for nearly a decade. A primary driver for this extended timeline was the studio's decision to build a custom game engine from the ground up, utilizing a new, in-house programming language.

According to developer insights, the team moved away from C++ after their experience with The Witness, seeking a more efficient workflow. This custom technical foundation is intended to be released for free following the game's launch, reflecting the studio's commitment to sharing their development tools.

Puzzle Mechanics and Scale

The game is designed as an "open-world puzzle" experience that integrates four distinct sets of mechanics, all rooted in the Sokoban genre. Players navigate a sprawling, top-down grid where they encounter variations on mechanics from notable indie titles, including Mirror Isles, Promesst, Heroes of Sokoban, and Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes.

As players progress, these mechanics begin to intertwine. The game shifts from simple 2D puzzles to more complex 3D environments. While initial promotional materials mentioned over 1,000 puzzles, director Jonathan Blow has clarified that the final game contains more than 1,400 distinct puzzles.

Tip

Gameplay Expectation: While the game is massive, you are not required to solve every single puzzle to reach the end of the narrative. Players can choose their own paths through the interconnected world.

Technical Design and Player Experience

Thekla, Inc. designed the game to offer a steep challenge, focusing on mental endurance rather than simple execution. Unlike previous titles that relied on tactile mechanics like line-drawing, Order of the Sinking Star emphasizes complex orders of operations.

Community reports and early impressions highlight that the game functions as a long-term challenge, similar to a massive book of crosswords. Players have noted that the game’s open-ended structure allows for jumping between different areas if they become stuck, though some critics have pointed out that the lack of clear "eureka" moments compared to The Witness can make the experience feel more exhausting for some users.

Community Reception and Collaborative Context

The development of the game has been a point of discussion regarding the role of collaboration in puzzle design. While the game draws inspiration from existing indie creators, the actual integration and mixing of these mechanics were handled by the Thekla team.

Following public disagreements between Jonathan Blow and several contributors regarding political and social issues, some creators distanced themselves from the project. Thekla has confirmed that all contributors will be properly credited in the final release, ensuring that the collaborative spirit of the game’s design is acknowledged.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to finish the game? The game is extensive. Estimates suggest it can take approximately 250 hours to reach the end of the story at a normal pace, and over 500 hours to solve every puzzle contained within the world.

Is there a demo version available? A PC demo was released globally during Steam Next Fest in June 2026. Following the event, it was confirmed that the demo would remain available for a limited time.

On which platforms can I play Order of the Sinking Star? The game was released on October 8, 2026, for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2. You can view the official game page on Steam.