Epic Games store is giving away a puzzle adventure game this week called “Botany Manor”. It is a cozy puzzle game set in the glorious times of the Victorian era.
Introduction to Botany Manor
Botany Manor is a delightful indie game that invites players into a world of plants, puzzles, and quiet discovery. You step into the shoes of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist returning to her grand family home in 1890 Somerset, England. The game is all about growing rare and mythical plants to complete a forgotten herbarium book. It’s a short experience, lasting about 3 to 5 hours, but it packs in charm and thoughtful moments that make it memorable. Unlike action-packed games, this one focuses on relaxation—no fights, no timers, just peaceful exploration.
The manor’s lush gardens and cozy rooms set the stage for a story told through letters, notes, and objects scattered around. As you wander, you learn about Arabella’s life and the challenges she faced as a woman in science during the Victorian era. It’s a cozy game with a touch of depth, blending puzzle-solving with subtle storytelling.
Gameplay Mechanics
At its heart, Botany Manor is a first-person puzzle adventure. You start with an empty herbarium, a book that needs entries on special plants. To fill it, you must find seeds, plant them in pots, and create the right conditions for them to grow and bloom. The manor is your playground, full of rooms like greenhouses, studies, and gardens. You pick up clues from everyday items—a book on bird songs, a stack of wood types, or a weather chart—to figure out what each plant needs.
For example, one plant might only bloom at sunset in a certain month, so you adjust a clock or use light filters to mimic that. Another could require specific heat from burning the right wood in a fireplace. The puzzles build step by step across five chapters, unlocking new areas as you progress. You carry a pot with you, setting it up in different spots to test your ideas. It’s simple to control: walk around, interact with objects, and organize clues in your inventory.
What makes it fun is how real it feels. The game draws from actual botany but adds fantasy twists, like plants that glow or explode gently. There’s no penalty for wrong guesses—you just try again. This keeps things stress-free, perfect for players who want to unwind.
Story and Setting
The story unfolds quietly as you explore. Arabella’s manor is beautiful, with colorful hedges, sunny paths, and detailed interiors that scream old-world charm. Through letters and posters, you piece together her struggles: rejection from male-dominated science groups, family pressures, and her passion for discovery. It’s not a dramatic tale but a gentle one about perseverance and love for nature.
Set in 1890, the game captures Victorian life without feeling stuffy. The empty house adds a bit of mystery—why is Arabella alone? Clues reveal her past triumphs and setbacks, making her feel real. Themes of gender roles in science add a thoughtful layer, showing how women like her pushed boundaries. The setting enhances the puzzles, as every room ties into the plants’ needs, like using a sauna for humidity or a tower for wind.
Visuals and Audio
Botany Manor’s art style is a standout—cartoonish yet detailed, with vibrant colors that make the world pop. Gardens burst with purples, greens, and oranges, while interiors have warm wood tones and soft lighting. It’s like stepping into a storybook, with smooth animations for plant growth that feel magical.
The sound design is subtle but effective. Gentle music plays in the background, mixing piano and strings for a calm vibe. Nature sounds like birds chirping or wind rustling add immersion. There’s no voice acting, but the quiet lets you focus on the puzzles and story.
Puzzles and Challenges
Puzzles are the core, and they’re clever without being too hard. Each plant has 3 to 7 clues to collect, like temperature needs or soil types. You match them up in your mind or notebook, then set up the environment. Early ones are straightforward, like heating a seed with steam, but later puzzles involve creative combos, such as mixing chemicals or using animals.
The game guides you gently—clues are marked clearly, and areas unlock logically. If you’re stuck, revisiting rooms often sparks ideas. It’s accessible for beginners but satisfying for puzzle fans. Some reviewers note it could be longer, but the brevity keeps it fresh.
Conclusion
Botany Manor is a gem for anyone seeking a peaceful escape. It blends botany-inspired puzzles with a touching story, all wrapped in a beautiful package. While short, it leaves you with a sense of accomplishment and wonder about nature’s secrets. If you enjoy cozy games like The Witness or Stardew Valley, this is worth your time. Give it a try and let the manor’s magic grow on you.
Claim the Giveaway
In order to claim the giveaway game, you can visit Epic Games store webpage https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/botany-manor-e7c456, login to your Epic Games account and then click on the Get button. You will have to use Epic Games Launcher in order to download and install it.