Thekla, the studio best known for The Witness, has officially confirmed that its next project, Order of the Sinking Star, is coming to PlayStation 5. While the title has been in development for some time, this announcement secures its arrival on the console before the end of 2026.
Gameplay and Puzzle Design
The game focuses on a massive collection of over 1,000 puzzles that are described as interconnected and hand-crafted. Players will navigate through multiple worlds using both top-down and isometric perspectives.
The core mechanics emphasize environmental interaction. Many of the game's challenges revolve around how objects behave and react to one another within the world. The design encourages non-linear exploration, meaning players may encounter complex puzzles that they might not yet have the necessary knowledge or experience to solve.
Quick Facts
- Developer: Thekla
- Publisher: Arc Games
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Release Window: 2026
- Content: 1,000+ hand-crafted, interconnected puzzles
For a detailed breakdown of the mechanics, Thekla studio head Jonathon Blow has provided a full overview via video, and additional hands-on impressions are available through the official PlayStation Blog.
Player Impact Summary
Fans of The Witness can expect a similar emphasis on environmental logic and player-driven discovery. The structure allows for freedom of movement, letting players move between puzzles as they see fit rather than being forced along a strictly linear path. This design choice highlights a focus on player agency and the satisfaction of returning to previously unsolvable tasks once the required logic is understood.