Jonathan Blow’s upcoming puzzle title Order of the Sinking Star offers a fresh take on grid-based logic challenges. The developer released a playable demo for testing on Steam Deck hardware, giving players early access to the game's core mechanics before its full launch later this year.
Jonathan Blow's puzzle title requires forced compatibility layer for handheld play
The demo runs natively through SteamOS by forcing Proton version 10.0-4 instead of relying on the default version 9. Players can choose between three graphics profiles labeled Performance, Balanced, and Quality within the handheld settings menu.
Performance mode maintains a steady 30 frames per second when players lock the frame rate in SteamOS. The Balanced and Quality presets frequently drop below that threshold during complex puzzle sequences. Battery life reaches approximately 3 to 3.5 hours on the OLED model while LCD owners should expect around 2 to 2.5 hours of playtime.
The game features grid-based movement with multiple characters and distinct abilities that interact within shared puzzle spaces. Reviewers describe the puzzle design as fantastic and note that solving one challenge reveals several alternative approaches across different gameplay styles. Some testers found the voice acting slightly lackluster given the narrative focus, while others noted that grid-based controls can feel fiddly during precise movements.
The title ships later this year on PC and Steam Deck platforms. Players who enjoy complex logic puzzles should find enough variety in the demo to justify further interest in the full release.
Source: SteamDeckHQ
