I don't think it's a surprise for anyone how much I love escape rooms. The loop of collecting clues, trying to find patterns and solving puzzles, mixed with a good narrative and some friends, is one of the most fun activities humanity has ever created. Even then, I'm always trying to find new ways of experiencing the genre, and Botany Manor called my attention since its announcement for one little detail: you won't be escaping any rooms here.
You start the game playing as Arabella Greene, a 19th century England botanist, that is trying to complete her book about forgotten and strange flora. Your goal in Botany Manor isn't only found the seeds for each plant, but also collect clues from the mansion and understand what each one of them needs to bloom — and because every pot has an escape room in itself, you need to match really specific conditions in soil, temperature, light, etc. I need to say: seeing a beautiful flower blooming and filling with life that almost-empty house was a way more pleasing reward than just opening a door or a chest.
