April 9th marks another day one Xbox Game Pass release in the form of Botany Manor, and reviews are just starting to land for this upcoming puzzle exploration game - really rather good reviews might we add.
For now, the title has an OpenCritic score of 82, and every single review on the aggregate site recommends the game so far. We'll drop some excerpts from these early impressions down below, so you have an idea if you'd like to give this one a try on Game Pass!
Nintendo Life (9/10)
"It looks like The Witness and it plays a bit like StreetPass Garden, but Botany Manor blooms into something that's not only entirely its own, but also something quite special. Don't let its cosy aesthetics fool you - Botany Manor is packed with nicely challenging, well-designed puzzles, and isn't afraid to tackle heavy subjects, too."
Press Start (8.5/10)
"Botany Manor is a delight. It's sweet, succinct and serene, packed with clever puzzles that reward thoughtful exploration and engagement with its narrative. At a little under three hours it's the perfect lazy weekend getaway for those that like to stop and smell the flowers as much as they like to enrich the soil of their mind."
IGN (8/10)
"Clever clues entwine with Botany Manor’s charming old English setting to make a lighthearted first-person puzzler worth tending to. Figuring out how to grow its fantastical plants kept me on my toes, and the blossoming flora painting onto the pages of my herbarium with bright colors gave me a comforting sense of achievement."
TechRaptor (8/10)
"Botany Manor is not just a puzzle-box, but a canvas for the player to let loose, with enough interaction, creativity in solutions, and general wonder to thrive. It’s a holiday, one that I had to be torn from, even if it came in the form of a rather flat ending, but the sights? The sounds? The opportunity? I wouldn’t trade it for the world I created."
CGMagazine (8/10)
"Botany Manor knows what it wants to be and executes it with aplomb. Its atmosphere is soothing, its environment is engaging, and its puzzles are well-crafted and interesting. Much like the flowers within, this game was clearly tended with love and allowed to blossom into something special. If you’re looking for a low-cost, interesting puzzle-solver, then you’ve come to the right manor."
Pocket Tactics (8/10)
"Welcome to Botany Manor, home to wonderful species of plants and plenty of excellent scenery. Through the gates, you find a delightfully green-thumbed puzzle game that sets you on a horticultural path to grow even the strangest of seedlings.
Overall, if you like plants and puzzles, I highly recommend picking up this whimsical game."
COGConnected (7.8/10)
"Botany Manor is all in all an excellent choice for cozy gamers who enjoy gardening and puzzles. It offers a smooth and relaxing gameplay experience that is sure to appeal to both veterans and newcomers alike. It’s a cozy gamers dream and reprieve from a slew of farming simulators."
There you go, then! Botany Manor sounds well worth a play if you're into this sort of title, and better yet, it hits Xbox Game Pass tomorrow, April 9.