The Séance of Blake Manor
A first-person mystery with time management and Irish mythology.
The Séance of Blake Manor is a first-person puzzle game developed by the Irish independent studio Spooky Doorway and published by Raw Fury. It was released for Linux and Windows on October 27, 2025, with ports for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S scheduled for October 27, 2026. The game is notable for its time-management mechanics and comic book aesthetic, set in a Victorian-era Irish manor.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Spooky Doorway
- Publisher
- Raw Fury
- Producer
- Amber Thompson · Treasa McCabe
- Designer
- Treasa McCabe
- Artist
- Paul Conway
- Composer
- Clement Panchout
- Writer
- Dave McCabe · Darcy Little · Leia French
- Platforms
- Linux · Windows · Nintendo Switch 2 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X/S
- Released
- Linux, Windows · October 27, 2025 · Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S · October 27, 2026
- Genre
- Puzzle, adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Set in Ireland in 1897, the game follows private investigator Declan Ward, hired by an anonymous client to investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane at Blake Manor. Ward has only two days to solve the mystery, as a séance scheduled at the manor threatens to cause further disappearances. The player explores the manor and interrogates its guests, with each action consuming a specific amount of in-game time. Certain events occur at predetermined locations and fixed times, and characters follow individual schedules that determine their whereabouts throughout the day. The art style follows a comic book aesthetic, while the setting draws inspiration from Irish mythology and the spiritualist movements of the Victorian era.
Reader's Guide
The Séance of Blake Manor received generally favorable reviews on Metacritic, with 95% of critics recommending it on OpenCritic. Critics drew favorable comparisons to Blue Prince and praised the time-management mechanic, with GamesRadar+'s Oscar Taylor-Kent stating that 'it really makes the investigation feel tangible.' The writing was widely acclaimed: Giovanni Colantonio of Polygon described it as 'exceptional writing that really makes the mystery work,' and Kerry Brunskill of PC Gamer commended the diverse cast of characters. The game was developed under the working title 'Eldritch House' on the developer's official Discord server, where art progress was shared; the channel was later renamed to reflect the final title. A promotional trailer released under the original name was removed from YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Séance of Blake Manor?
It is a first-person puzzle game that blends time-management mechanics with a mystery rooted in Irish mythology. The entire experience is rendered in a hand-drawn comic book style and takes place inside a Victorian-era manor in Ireland.
Who developed and published The Séance of Blake Manor?
The game was created by Spooky Doorway, an independent studio based in Ireland, and brought to market by publisher Raw Fury.
What platforms can I play The Séance of Blake Manor on?
The title launched for Linux and Windows in October 2025, and ports for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S are scheduled to arrive in October 2026.
What makes The Séance of Blake Manor's gameplay different from other puzzle games?
Rather than letting you solve each puzzle at your own leisure, the game layers a time-management system on top of first-person exploration, so you must juggle competing tasks and deadlines. Its distinctive comic book art direction also sets it visually apart from most other puzzle titles of the decade.
When exactly was The Séance of Blake Manor released?
The initial PC and Linux version went live on October 27, 2025, and the console editions are slated for the same calendar date one year later, October 27, 2026.
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