Note-Taking in Blue Prince — What to Track and How

Updated May 2026 · 9 min read · For players who feel overwhelmed by clues

Blue Prince has no in-game journal. Simon reads every letter, examines every painting, and solves every puzzle — then wakes up the next day remembering nothing. The game is explicitly designed to require external note-taking. The developer has confirmed this is intentional, not an oversight. If you go in expecting the game to keep a record for you, you will lose crucial information.

Why the Game Requires Notes

Blue Prince scatters its puzzle solutions across different rooms, different days, and different run types. A letter in the Library might contain a number that pairs with a symbol in the Conservatory that you won't encounter for another three runs. The game is built around gradual revelation — and the only way to connect information across sessions is to have written it down.

This is not a memory test. Every experienced Blue Prince player has a stack of notes, a phone photo album, or a document full of observations. The question isn't whether to take notes, but what to prioritize.

What to Track (Priority Order)

1. Cipher Keys and Letter-Number Conversions

Several puzzles in Blue Prince use custom ciphers — a specific alphabet-to-number or symbol-to-letter mapping unique to the game world. When you find a document that explains how a cipher works, record the entire mapping table, not just the example. You will encounter that cipher again in a different context.

• Write: the full key, not just the answer to the immediate puzzle
• Note: where you found it (which room, which document name)
• Note: any examples given in the document

2. Multi-Digit Codes and Lock Combinations

When you find a numeric code — whether it's a vault combination, a safe dial, a door keypad, or a padlock — record it immediately with its context. Many players make the mistake of assuming they'll remember "the 4-digit number from the Library." There are dozens of numbers in this game.

For each code, note:

• The code itself
• Which lock or mechanism it opens (if known)
• Where the clue that gives the code is located
• Whether the code is fixed or run-generated (most fixed puzzle codes stay consistent across runs)

3. Puzzle State and Observations

Some puzzles require you to observe a state in one room and apply it elsewhere. Examples include dial positions, statue orientations, constellation configurations, and color sequences. These states often need to be observed and then replicated in a different room that may not appear in the same run.

Sketch or describe the state in enough detail that you can reconstruct it. A photo of the screen is often faster than a written description for visual puzzles.

4. Rare Room Sightings and Unsolved Puzzles

When you encounter a rare room you haven't solved, note:

• Room name (shown in the Room Directory)
• What the puzzle seems to require (what information is missing)
• Any partial clues you've found

This creates a backlog of puzzles to revisit. The game rewards players who maintain multiple open threads simultaneously rather than trying to solve one puzzle at a time.

5. Story Lore (Optional but Rewarding)

Letters, diaries, and pamphlets fill in the backstory of the manor and its inhabitants. You don't need these to complete Room 46, but the deeper endings depend heavily on understanding the lore. If you care about the story, note character names, dates, and relationships when you encounter them.

What You Don't Need to Track

Not everything in Blue Prince is a clue. Don't waste time transcribing:

• Flavor descriptions of rooms — the atmosphere text when you enter a room is usually decorative, not puzzle-critical
• Every item description — items have tooltips in your inventory; you can re-check them
• Room layouts you've already solved — the Room Directory tracks which rooms you've discovered
• Daily step counts and gem totals — these reset anyway

Note-Taking Systems That Work

Physical Notebook

Many players prefer a dedicated paper notebook kept next to them while playing. The advantages: fast to write in, no alt-tabbing, easy to sketch diagrams and map layouts. The disadvantage: not searchable, harder to reorganize.

Suggested structure for a paper notebook:

• First section: Ciphers and codes (dedicate several pages, one puzzle per page)
• Second section: Unsolved rooms (a running list with notes)
• Third section: Daily log (date/run number, what you discovered)

Screenshots + Photo Album

On PC: use the Steam screenshot key (F12 by default) on every document. On PS5: the Create button. On Switch 2: the Capture button. Screenshots are fast and capture exact text. The limitation is they're not searchable without naming them, and you can accumulate hundreds quickly.

Tip: after each session, do a quick review of your screenshots and transfer key information into a text document. Screenshots are good for capture; a text document is good for cross-referencing.

Digital Document (Notion, Google Docs, Excel)

A digital document is the most powerful system for long-term play. Use a table for codes (columns: Code, Location Found, Lock/Puzzle, Status). Use a list for unsolved puzzles. Use a separate section per major cipher.

The main advantage is searchability — when you find the lock that matches a code you recorded three sessions ago, you can search for it instantly. The main disadvantage is switching between the game and the document, which breaks immersion for some players.

Hybrid Approach (Recommended)

Many experienced players use a notebook for in-session capture (fast, no interruption) and a digital document for the master reference. After each session, transfer key findings from the notebook into the digital doc. This gives you both speed during play and a clean organized reference between sessions.

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