Botany Manor – Review

Botany Manor is a recent addition to our collection of our video games on Steam/PC. It’s sort of like Nancy Drew Midnight in Salem or the Myst games series. We played it and it’s lots of fun, in my review you’ll find out more!

Why Botany Manor?

Botany Manor is a thoughtful, atmospheric puzzle-exploration game that blends science, history, and quiet discovery into a deeply calming experience. Set within a stately countryside manor and its surrounding gardens, the game invites players to explore, observe, and experiment rather than rush or compete. It is a game built on curiosity and reflection, offering a slower but richly rewarding journey for players who enjoy immersive environments and clever, logic-based challenges.

At the center of Botany Manor is exploration. Players move through beautifully detailed interiors and outdoor spaces, uncovering notes, clues, and tools that help them understand the manor and the scientific work connected to it. The environment itself acts as a puzzle, encouraging players to pay close attention to small details. Books, letters, diagrams, and objects are not just decorative—they provide insight and direction, making the world feel purposeful and alive.

The puzzles in Botany Manor are rooted in observation and experimentation. Rather than relying on abstract riddles or fast reflexes, the game asks players to think carefully about cause and effect. Solutions often require piecing together information gathered from multiple locations, testing ideas, and adjusting approaches based on results. This makes success feel genuinely earned and intellectually satisfying. The game trusts players to think critically and rewards patience and curiosity.

One of the game’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The manor and gardens are tranquil, filled with soft lighting, natural colors, and gentle sound design. Birds, wind, and subtle music create a peaceful ambiance that enhances the sense of immersion. The pace of the game is deliberately unhurried, allowing players to take their time and enjoy the surroundings. This makes Botany Manor particularly appealing to players seeking a calming, almost meditative gaming experience.

The narrative is subtle and environmental rather than heavily scripted. Instead of lengthy cutscenes or constant dialogue, the story unfolds through discovered materials and environmental clues. This approach allows players to engage with the narrative at their own pace and interpret meaning through exploration. It creates a sense of personal discovery, as though uncovering a quiet history rather than being told a story outright.

Accessibility is another notable aspect. The controls are simple and intuitive, and the game does not overwhelm players with complicated systems. While the puzzles can be challenging, they are logical and fair, encouraging thoughtful problem-solving rather than trial-and-error frustration. This balance makes the game approachable for a wide range of players while still offering depth for those who enjoy intellectual challenges.

However, Botany Manor may not appeal to everyone. Players who prefer action-heavy gameplay, constant objectives, or fast progression may find the pace too slow. The game prioritizes mood and exploration over excitement, and those looking for high-energy gameplay may struggle to stay engaged. Additionally, the focus on subtle clues and reading materials may feel demanding for players who prefer more guided experiences.

Replay value largely depends on how much players enjoy the atmosphere and puzzle structure. While the experience is memorable, solving the puzzles once removes much of the mystery on subsequent playthroughs. That said, many players may still enjoy revisiting the manor simply to appreciate its design and atmosphere.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is up to 1-player on Steam/PC.

Pros

Beautiful, atmospheric environments with strong attention to detail

Thoughtful, logic-based puzzles that reward observation and experimentation

Relaxing pace and calming sound design

Environmental storytelling that feels natural and immersive

Accessible controls and intuitive gameplay

Encourages curiosity and critical thinking

Cons

Limited replay value once puzzles are solved

Summary

Overall, Botany Manor is a beautifully crafted game that celebrates curiosity, patience, and quiet intelligence. It offers a refreshing alternative to more intense gaming experiences, focusing on thoughtful exploration and environmental storytelling. For players who enjoy calm puzzle games with rich atmosphere and meaningful discovery, Botany Manor is a deeply rewarding experience.