Botany Manor

This is the first game that I saw on steam and specifically said "I'm going to go into this blind!". Normally I find games through YouTube, but this time I found it naturally. As someone with ADHD, I usually have trouble picking up on hints and clues, but Botany Manor strikes an almost perfect balance of being easy to understand but still making you feel good about solving the puzzles. Though, there was no point where I really "struggled" and had to think about any particular puzzle, which is why I was able to beat the game in only 3 hours across 2 different days. So perhaps this game is "too easy", but I don't think that's an issue for the vibe this game is going for (although, it does make me think the $25 price tag is just a little steep. I'm glad I got it on sale). It's a very peaceful game, and the fact I wasn't stressing out over any puzzles really helped with that. But most importantly, this game inspired me. Though, maybe not in the way one might expect. (incredibly minor environment spoiler) In one of the rooms is a small framed memorial photo of the owner's cat. It's a really sweet detail, and it had me thinking about the cats I've had in real life and how.. my family doesn't have any photos framed in our house of any of them... So I decided to change that. I went out and bought a collage picture frame (which is why 3 hours of playtime was split between 2 different play sessions) and went searching for any photos I could find of the 6 cats we'd lost over the last 25 years or so, and I put them together with a message: "Framed, so that they may never be forgotten." So would I recommend this game? Yes. Absolutely. It's incredibly well made, it's charming, and it's fun, at least it was for me. And it got me thinking in a way I am incredibly grateful for, even if unintentionally.

I adore this game, very lovely. The way of growing flowers is quite creative (in concept and in the way we - the players- had to figure out the clues and method) and I enjoyed finding the tidbits that gave a idea as to what the lore was. (I've now played this on the xbox and pc, still love it)