The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince
A wolf princess guides a blind prince through a magical forest.
The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software. It was released in Japan in May 2018 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita, and in western territories in February 2019 only for Switch and PlayStation 4. The game is notable for its side-scrolling gameplay that requires the player to switch between a wolf and a princess form to escort a blind prince through a monster-filled forest.
Quick Facts
- Title
- The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince
- Developer
- Nippon Ichi Software
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch / PlayStation 4 / PlayStation Vita / iOS / Android / Microsoft Windows
- Released
- PlayStation VitaJP · 31 May 2018Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4JP · 31 May 2018 · WW · 12 February 2019Android, iOSJP · 29 May 2020Microsoft WindowsWW · 11 March 2026
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game's story follows a large wolf creature who sings nightly on a cliff, attracting a prince. When the prince climbs to see her, the wolf accidentally blinds him, and after being saved by a guard, the prince is imprisoned by his parents, who view his wound as shameful. The wolf, feeling guilty, tells the prince she is a princess and seeks the Witch of the Forest, who grants her a human form in exchange for her singing voice—though the spell fails under moonlight. The wolf, as the princess, escorts the prince to the Witch to heal his eyes. During their journey, the prince discovers the princess's true nature when moonlight reveals her wolf arm, causing a falling out that leads to a forest fire. The Witch, enraged by the destruction of her collection, transforms into a monster. The princess and prince calm her, and the Witch heals the prince's eyesight in exchange for the princess's transformation ability and memories of the prince. The princess becomes a wolf permanently, but later the prince returns, and though she does not remember him, they sit together as she sings.
Reader's Guide
The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince is significant as a title from Nippon Ichi Software that originated from an internal pitching contest, similar to earlier games like htoL#NiQ: The Firefly Diary and Yomawari: Night Alone. Its gameplay emphasizes cooperation between two forms: the wolf can fight enemies and survive falls, while the princess can hold the prince's hand, give instructions, and fit through small spaces. Environmental puzzles involve weight-sensitive platforms, heavy objects breakable only by the wolf, and items only the prince can carry, such as fire lanterns. The game was revealed in January 2018 during a live-broadcast video presentation. In August 2018, NIS America announced they would publish the game in North America and Europe in 2019 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, including a limited physical edition with a special book and physical soundtrack. The game's legacy lies in its unique narrative-driven mechanics and its origin within the company's annual pitching contests.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software.
- The wolf can shapeshift into a princess, but the spell is negated under moonlight.
- The Witch demands the princess's transformation ability and memories as payment for healing the prince's eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince?
It is a side-scrolling action-adventure game by Nippon Ichi Software in which a princess who can shapeshift into a wolf must lead a blind prince through a monster-ridden magical forest. The title reflects her dual identity as both a royal and a beast.
How does the gameplay in The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince work?
The core mechanic revolves around toggling between a wolf form for fighting and a princess form for traversal while escorting the blind prince through the forest. Rather than a point-and-click structure, it plays as a side-scroller with real-time combat and navigation.
What platforms and release dates does The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince have?
The Japanese launch in May 2018 covered Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita. The Western release followed in February 2019 but was limited to Switch and PS4, dropping the Vita version entirely.
What is the story premise of The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince?
A wolf princess takes on the task of guiding a blind prince through a dangerous, monster-filled forest, serving as his eyes and protector along the way. The escort dynamic drives the narrative and shapes nearly every gameplay encounter.
Why is The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince notable among 2010s adventure titles?
Its dual-form switching mechanic sets it apart from typical side-scrollers, forcing players to constantly trade between combat and exploration roles to keep the prince safe. Nippon Ichi Software handled both development and publishing, giving the project a unified studio vision.
More in Adventure Games of the 2010s, Part 5 1-24
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