Welcome to Botany Manor, a stately home in 19th century England. You play as inhabitant Arabella Greene, a retired botanist. Explore your house and gardens, filled with research, to figure out the ideal habitat of forgotten flora. Grow each plant to discover the mysterious qualities they hold…
Players take on the role of botanist Arabella Greene, exploring a Victorian English manor and its surrounding gardens. The gameplay revolves around solving intricate puzzles to uncover the ideal growing conditions for rare plant specimens. Players must carefully examine the environment, read through documents and letters, and then apply that information to nurture the plants. Each plant has unique requirements based on factors like soil pH, pot type, and water needs. The puzzle-solving loop of gathering information, deducing solutions, and watching the plants flourish is described by many as deeply satisfying.
The developers have beautifully rendered the manor and gardens, creating a highly immersive historical setting for players to explore. Reviewers praise the level of detail, from the authentic Victorian decor to the diverse array of fantastical plant life. The peaceful, cozy atmosphere and calming background music contribute to an overall relaxing experience. While some note that the backtracking can feel tedious, the joy of uncovering new areas and lore outweighs any minor frustrations.
Alongside the puzzle-solving, the game offers a compelling narrative that focuses on Arabella Greene's struggles as a woman navigating the male-dominated scientific community of the 19th century. Through the various documents and letters found throughout the manor, players gradually piece together Arabella's journey, evoking emotions ranging from frustration at her mistreatment to joy at her eventual triumph. Reviewers highlight how this narrative element adds meaningful depth to the gameplay, without overpowering the core puzzle experience.
The game is noted for its strong accessibility options, including toggles for motion sickness, text size, and controller support. These features are appreciated by reviewers, particularly those who have struggled with first-person games in the past. Additionally, the game's user interface and overall design are lauded for their intuitiveness, with features like the in-game notebook helping to enhance the puzzle-solving experience.