Top News

As a fan of detective games like Case of the Golden Idol, The Roottrees are Dead and Return of the Obra Dinn, I was very excited to play brand new release The Seance of Blake Manor, which is out now on Steam - and it's the perfect game for Halloween.

Developed by Darkside Detective studio Spooky Doorway and published by Raw Fury, The Seance of Blake Manor is a first-person detective game set in Ireland during the 1890s.

You play as a Private investigator named Declan Ward, who travels to the remote Blake Manor in search of a missing woman named Evelyn Deane.

It may be a simple premise, but the game gets its hooks into players quickly thanks in no small part to the writing, beginning with the following letter: "I'll waste no time, since there's none for wasting. I write from Blake Manor in Connemara.

"Yesterday, a guest went missing - a young woman named Evelyn Deane. The owner and staff carry on as if nothing has happened.

"She has not left, of that I am sure."

The excellent writing is complemented by a winning combination of unusual setting, stylish comic book-style visuals and effective sound design.

And besides, who doesn't like a good mystery? Indeed, if you fancy yourself a bit of an amateur sleuth, there's plenty here to enjoy.

From the spooky ghost sightings and paranormal activity, to the increasingly odd and sinister cast of characters - many of whom are mystics attending the Halloween seance - there are new discoveries to be made during practically every interaction.

Players must ask questions, eavesdrop on unsuspecting staff and guests, gather evidence and tackle puzzles in a bid to solve the game's many mysteries.

There are more than 30 mysteries in total, and according to the developer, it's possible to solve everything in one playthrough.

However, this is easier said than done thanks to the game's timer system. Every action progresses the timer, meaning overly pedantic players may end up missing out on key quests and events by wasting time and not paying enough attention.

All of the guests at the hotel have their own plans and schedules, and it's up to you to keep track of everything by asking the right questions, keeping on top of your evidence and paying attention to the map. There's a lot to keep on top of, although the game does a pretty good job of mapping everything out in a selection of clean and user-friendly menu screens.

It reminds me a bit of Dead Rising, where you could miss out on crucial quests and storyline progression by not being in the right place at the right time. It helps add stakes and dynamism to what would otherwise be a leisurely investigation.

The save system also means you can go back and re-do anything you may have missed or failed. This is great if you're looking for a one-and-done playthrough, while also giving completionists reason to go back and replay the entire thing.

When you are ready to solve mysteries, you can come up with a hypothesis and fill in the blanks with key words from your investigation. This part is similar to the excellent Case of the Golden Idol, just a bit more expansive and interactive.

I'm loathe to reveal too much more, because as you can imagine, the real joy of The Seance of Blake Manor is discovering things for yourself.

And trust me when I say that it's a joy to discover, just so long as you're not afraid of things that go bump in the night.

If you don't believe me, then check out the free demo on Steam. As an added bonus, it's also Steam Deck Verified.

VERDICT: 4.5/5