An enchanting, tranquil game that invites you to solve puzzles and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Developer: Balloon Studios
Publisher: Whitethorn Games
Release Date: April 9, 2024
Platform: Windows
Available On: Steam, Game Pass
Price: £21/€25/$25
Reviewed On: Intel Core i5-11340F, 16GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 3060, Windows 11
Botany Manor is a game designed to grab your attention and pull you into its serene world of plant cultivation and puzzle-solving. Imagine a calm oasis where you can immerse yourself in nature and engage your mind—it’s truly delightful.
You step into the shoes of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist and heir to a grand manor, navigating the sunny days of 1890 while exploring the intriguing realm of botany. Unlike the eerie vibes of Strange Horticulture, Botany Manor offers a gentler, more uplifting experience akin to a feel-good historical film starring Emma Thompson. With her vast wealth and free time, Arabella potters around her estate, researching peculiar and slightly fantastical plants—an idyllic setting for both fantasy and history enthusiasts.
The game unfolds across several chapters, each corresponding to a research book Arabella aims to complete and publish. While Arabella enjoys her serene life, there are hints of the challenges she has faced in a male-dominated field. Throughout the game, you can discover letters and articles that reveal how her expertise was often overlooked or even stolen by less talented men—a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by women in Victorian times. This background adds depth to the narrative, making the conclusion all the more satisfying.
Your primary task, much like Arabella’s, is to nurture various plants by recreating the specific environments they need to thrive. You’ll gather clues scattered throughout the manor and grounds, with no quest markers to guide you. Instead, you’ll read through various materials and examine items to deduce which clues are relevant for each plant. The game encourages you to connect the dots independently—Arabella won’t provide straightforward prompts like, “Check the chart for the bird species attracted to this flower.” You’ll need to piece together the information yourself, leading to delightful discoveries that are often surprising and specific.
For example, you might find a note about roasting chestnuts, which prompts you to consider the pot holding a seed that refuses to germinate in water. You’ll connect the train ticket you found with the type of wood growing in that area, creating the smoke necessary for the plant to thrive. Many of the plants are whimsical versions of real-life species, showcasing the delicate balance of ecosystems. The game subtly teaches about environmental issues, such as how urbanizing a river impacts local bird populations vital for a rare fern’s growth.
As you progress through the book by solving puzzles and finding keys, you unlock more areas of the manor, which the developers have lovingly crafted. You can gaze out at a valley dotted with grazing cows—a small detail that enhances the immersion. The game’s beautiful 3D world is bright and inviting, creating a sense of joy and tranquility as you explore. It encourages you to appreciate the environment, taking pleasure in the plants you nurture and how their shapes fit into their natural habitats.
Overall, Botany Manor is a peaceful and engaging puzzle game, even as the challenges become more intricate. It provides a serene escape where you can take your time and feel confident that everything you need is within reach. There’s immense satisfaction in solving puzzles independently—nobody holds your hand. You can leisurely catalog apples, seek out hidden duck models, or carefully examine game cards to learn which animal’s heartbeat stimulates a meadow plant.
If there’s one thing I wish for, it’s that Botany Manor were longer. I would eagerly buy any DLC you could offer—be it a Succulents Pack or a Winter Plants Special—though I suspect the game is perfectly balanced as it stands. In short, Botany Manor is a beautiful journey that invites you to slow down, engage with nature, and relish in the joy of discovery.
