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What kind of game is Order of the Sinking Star?
Made by Thekla Inc. and directed by Jonathan Blow, Order of the Sinking Star is a narrative puzzle adventure for one player. The official game site describes “over one thousand interconnected, hand-crafted puzzles,” along with distinct playable heroes, evolving mechanics, and a larger mystery. That puzzle count is the publisher’s promotional description, not an independently audited total. The official game overview
Steam describes four worlds, each with its own mechanics, characters, and stories. Their puzzle systems later intersect and combine, so the game’s challenge is not simply to solve isolated rooms: it is also to notice how rules work and how they may interact. Steam also advertises dozens of mechanics and hundreds of hours of gameplay; those are store-page scale claims, not measured completion-time estimates. Steam store page
How to get started without spoiling the puzzles
Learn a rule before trying to solve everything
When a new puzzle introduces an unfamiliar object, character, or interaction, focus on what changes when you move or act. Try one hypothesis at a time and observe the result. The official descriptions say mechanics evolve and puzzles build on earlier ideas; keeping experiments focused makes it easier to tell what a puzzle has taught you.
#1 Best Overall
Explore elsewhere when you are stuck
The game is designed for players to explore at their own pace and return to challenges. If a puzzle stops making sense, note what you have tried and look for another available route. A new mechanic or a different perspective elsewhere may help when you come back.
Use undo or rewind to test ideas carefully
A PlayStation Blog hands-on preview reports that the opening teaches players to push objects around grid-like locations and introduces undo or rewind for reverting when stuck. Treat that as a useful way to test a reversible idea, not a guarantee that every situation in the final game can be undone. Pause before a move that looks as if it could trap a character or object. PlayStation Blog hands-on preview
Rank #2
- Order Up: In this frantic tossing, fish flopping, order filling game, it's your team of fish mongers against the clock to fill orders by flipping cards and tossing the electronic fish back and forth.
- Flopping Fish Timer: Keep track of your time in each round with the wobbly fish timer that plays sound and flops around as you throw it between players!
- Fun, Cooperative Play: This cooperative game is perfect for your next family game night or group gathering as you play together to try and beat your score and climb the levels to Master Fishmonger! For 2-6 players ages 8 and up!
- 3 Levels: Once your team has mastered Level 1, there are 2 more levels of play, each with more fish, more orders, and more disruptions to try and beat the clock!
- Easy, Quick Play: With easy-to-follow setup instructions for each level of play, Order Up! Fish Market is quick and fun to play, so you can test your skills again and again to improve your score and try to beat level 3!
Ask for the smallest useful hint
Give observation and experimentation a chance before opening a full walkthrough. If you do need help, start with a gentle nudge and reveal more only if that does not get you moving. That approach is a spoiler-conscious suggestion, not a developer rule.
Controls and platforms
The official Steam community FAQ says the demo supports mouse and keyboard or a controller/gamepad. Thekla has also announced Steam Deck Verified status and controls and interface optimized for handheld use. A gamepad and a Steam Deck are options, not requirements. Steam community FAQ Thekla’s Steam announcements
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As of October 7, 2026, announced platforms were PC via Steam and Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5. Thekla’s October 5 launch announcement gives October 8, 2026 as the launch date, with October 9 in some regions because of time zones. Since that date is imminent, check the relevant live storefront for current availability. Official launch news
Minimum PC requirements listed on Steam
Steam’s listing gives these minimum specifications. Check the live store page before buying in case requirements have changed.
Rank #4
- FUN and fast-paced board game that will have players strategising and sabotaging. Sinking City can be enjoyed all year round and is a must-have addition to games collections for school summer holidays or cosy winter nights.
- PLAYERS : 2+6 or teams
- AGES: 13+
- CONTENTS: Game Board, Instructions, 1 x Wooden Die, 6 x Playing Pieces, tokens, tiles, cards
- Let the games continue, this product has been designed to keep , please enjoy, replay, and give away for further play
| Component | Minimum listed requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later, 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen R5 1600 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 |
| Storage | 14 GB |
Steam store page and system requirements
Nintendo’s Switch 2 listing describes a digital edition playable in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes. The available information does not establish a physical console-game edition. Nintendo Switch 2 listing
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does Steam demo progress carry over?
The Steam demo is listed as free and released on June 15, 2026. The developer’s Steam community FAQ says progress made in the demo carries over to the Steam full release. That confirmation is specifically for the Steam demo and Steam release; it does not confirm that saves transfer between Steam, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5. Steam demo listing Developer’s Steam community FAQ
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Common mistakes to avoid
- Changing several things at once: Test a single idea so you can tell which action caused a result.
- Forcing one blocked route: The game supports flexible exploration and revisiting challenges; step away and try another available puzzle.
- Opening a full solution immediately: Use observation or a small hint first if you want to preserve more of the discovery.
- Assuming one input device is mandatory: Mouse and keyboard and gamepad are supported options; Steam Deck is another way to play, not a requirement.
- Expecting demo saves to move between platforms: The stated carryover covers Steam demo progress to the Steam full game only.
- Trusting unofficial room counts or route orders as definitive: Detailed fan-guide claims about exact world order, room counts, hero mechanics, and progression are not established by the official descriptions cited here.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
