The Witness Creator Returns with Order of the Sinking Star on PS5

The Witness Creator Returns with Order of the Sinking Star on PS5

After years of development in relative silence, Thekla—the studio behind the critically acclaimed puzzle game The Witness—has finally lifted the curtain on its highly anticipated next project. Order of the Sinking Star is officially confirmed for PlayStation 5, with a release window set for later in 2026.

For puzzle game aficionados and collectors who've been eagerly awaiting Jonathan Blow's next creative endeavor, this announcement comes as welcome news. The studio has been remarkably secretive about the project, but the wait appears to be nearing its end.

A Staggering Puzzle Collection

What makes Order of the Sinking Star particularly intriguing is its sheer scope. The game promises over 1,000 interconnected, hand-crafted puzzles—a remarkable feat that dwarfs most puzzle titles on the market. These aren't randomly generated brain-teasers either; each puzzle has been carefully designed by the development team, ensuring quality and intentionality throughout the experience.

The puzzles will be presented from top-down and isometric perspectives, creating visual variety as players navigate through multiple distinct worlds. This design choice echoes The Witness's environmental storytelling approach while offering a fresh visual experience.

Freedom in Puzzle Solving

One particularly compelling aspect of the game's design philosophy is its approach to player agency. Rather than following a linear progression, Order of the Sinking Star allows players to explore freely and encounter puzzles they may not yet have the knowledge to solve. This mirrors the organic discovery that made The Witness so captivating for many players.

Many of the brain-teasers focus on object interaction and cause-and-effect relationships—examining what happens when you manipulate elements and how they react to various stimuli. This suggests a sophisticated puzzle design rooted in understanding systems and mechanics rather than simple pattern recognition.

Why This Matters for Collectors

For game collectors and enthusiasts, Order of the Sinking Star represents something increasingly rare: a major puzzle-focused release from a critically respected developer. With the gaming industry's emphasis on live-service titles and mass-market appeal, dedicated puzzle games have become something of a niche. A game from the creator of The Witness—a title now considered a modern classic—carries significant prestige.

The 2026 release window also provides collectors with time to prepare, whether that means reserving physical copies or securing launch editions. Given Thekla's track record for quality and artistic vision, this is shaping up to be one of the year's most essential releases for puzzle enthusiasts and PlayStation 5 owners alike.

Source: Push Square