Thekla Inc., the studio behind The Witness, has announced an October 8 release date for its upcoming puzzle game, Order of the Sinking Star. The title will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC.

Order of the Sinking Star, led by Braid creator Jonathan Blow, is described as a sprawling game centered around interconnected puzzles. Its design draws inspiration from indie Sokoban titles, including Mirror Isles, Promesst, and Heroes of Sokoban. Blow has previously stated that completing all puzzles in the game could take players over 500 hours.

The game features a multi-layered structure. The initial experience focuses on introducing players to core puzzle mechanics, similar to The Witness. These mechanics include elements like pushing rocks and navigating through mirrors. The mid-game progresses to more complex challenges that require combining learned mechanics. Players will find specific rooms to clear on their way to a final puzzle. While a daunting 500-hour playtime has been mentioned, Blow has indicated that a clear stopping point exists for players who complete over 1,000 puzzles, offering an endpoint without necessarily finishing every challenge.

The release of Order of the Sinking Star has been accompanied by discussions regarding its credits. Some developers whose games served as inspiration, such as Alan Hazelden, creator of Mirror Isles, have distanced themselves from the project. This controversy stems partly from Blow's public statements, including controversial social media posts in 2021 concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines.

Confusion regarding credits arose after an in-game display featuring Hazelden's name in a Switch 2 demo was absent from a Steam Next Fest demo. In response to inquiries, Blow stated that "Contributors to the game will be credited." He later clarified that the Game File report that highlighted the confusion was based on temporary assets and reiterated that the game does contain credits.

A representative from Thekla Inc. has since confirmed that Order of the Sinking Star will feature a complete credits sequence. This will include the names of developers whose games were licensed for use in the project. The credits will be presented "in a special way in-game in the iconic style of Jonathan Blow." Additionally, the full credits will be listed on Moby Games and distributed in press materials.

Order of the Sinking Star is slated for release on October 8 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC.