Botany Manor

Botany Manor is a plant-themed first-person detective puzzle game about growing unusual plants on a beautiful British estate. You collect various types of seeds, each of which has its own unique requirements in order to grow. You must search the manor for clues in order to make all the plants bloom.

The game takes place at Botany Manor, a vast, 3D Victorian estate with expansive gardens. In various places around the manor, there are planting stations with pots, dirt, and watering cans. In other spots, there are plant saucers where pots can be placed. Letters, books, and pictures around the manor provide clues about each plant’s requirements. You must use careful observation and logical reasoning to deduce where to place each plant and what other conditions the plant needs in order to bloom.

While exploring the manor, you’ll also find letters telling the story of the manor’s owner, an aristocratic woman attempting to pursue a career in botany despite the sexism and strict gender roles of British society in the late 19th century. The beautifully rendered manor and rich soundscape make for an immersive, relaxing experience.

While the game doesn’t have a built-in hint system, it has a gentle difficulty curve. You solve the puzzles in small sets of one to three plants at a time, and there usually aren’t any red herring clues included purely to throw you off. Completing a set will often open up a new part of the estate, with a sense of progression recalling escape rooms. Botany Manor’s approachable design makes it an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels.

This description was written by Gwen C. Katz.