The Séance of Blake Manor Review – Everyone Has Something to Hide

The Séance of Blake Manor, developed by Spooky Doorway, is a supernatural detective adventure that takes us to 19th-century Ireland. We’ve never been the patient sort, but here, we were more than happy to put on our thinking caps and do our best to solve a mystery that requires patience, careful observation, and a willingness to go that extra mile and stick our noses into other people’s business. And believe us when we say, there’s plenty of nose-sticking to do!

Welcome to Blake Manor

In 1897, we step into the shoes of Declan Ward, a private investigator hired to find Evelyn Deane, a young woman who has mysteriously disappeared from Blake Manor. The hotel management doesn’t seem particularly concerned about her disappearance, but we and our noses certainly are, especially since the establishment is currently hosting a gathering of spiritualists, mystics, and occult enthusiasts preparing for a grand séance on Halloween.

Our job is to explore the hotel, speak with its residents, collect evidence, and discover what happened to Evelyn. There are more than 20 guests to investigate, and nearly everyone has secrets of their own. Some are hiding personal tragedies, others have questionable intentions, and a few seem to know considerably more about the supernatural than they’re willing to admit. Every single character is a joy to talk to and interact with. They’re carefully written, and we loved getting to know them and gradually uncovering more about their lives and secrets.

The game is played entirely from a first-person perspective, and aside from chatting with people, we spend much of our time examining rooms, searching through personal belongings, reading letters, inspecting unusual objects, and questioning guests about anything suspicious. For us, the best part was listening at doors before entering, eavesdropping on conversations, and sneaking into places where we had no business being. It’s an awful lot of snooping, and we loved every single moment of it!

Every Minute Matters

We have only a few days before the grand séance, but there’s no constantly ticking clock, which is exactly how we preferred it. Time advances whenever we perform certain actions, such as examining a new document, questioning someone, or inspecting an object. Walking around and reviewing previously collected evidence generally costs nothing. Every guest follows a daily schedule, and someone might spend the morning in the dining room, attend a lecture in the afternoon, and retire to their bedroom later. We had to know where people were so that we could plan our investigations and take advantage of their absence.

For example, during breakfast, a maid dropping some plates distracts the guests, creating an opportunity to steal a room key. We might also attend a lecture to learn about a particular supernatural subject, or skip it and search the lecturer’s unattended room. These decisions reminded us of certain situations in Hitman, where our choices determine which information we discover and whether we get to witness important events.

Schedules can be recorded and checked, and reminders help us keep track of upcoming activities. Some opportunities can be missed, however, although the game provides enough flexibility to investigate several mysteries at our own pace. Still, even though there’s no traditional time pressure, we certainly felt some pressure knowing that every seemingly innocent question could cost us an opportunity elsewhere.

Putting the Pieces Together

The good news is that we have enough tools and systems to be as meticulous as we want. All discovered information is stored in a detailed journal, with separate mind maps showing the connections between characters, objects, clues, and ongoing investigations. Suppose we notice an unusual symbol on someone’s brooch. Nothing stops us from recording the observation, investigating its meaning, and later questioning another guest who might recognise it. Certain discoveries unlock new conversation topics, while others point towards locations or objects worth examining.

Once enough evidence has been collected, we’re able to form a hypothesis by completing a statement with the appropriate words and phrases. If our reasoning is correct, we can confront the person involved and potentially resolve their individual mystery. It’s quite elementary, dear Watson. Deductions, however, can occasionally feel a little too straightforward. Some conclusions become obvious before we’ve finished assembling the evidence. There are also traditional environmental puzzles, including locked safes, hidden codes, and magical sigils that must be traced to reveal secrets. We would have welcomed a little more variety in these smaller puzzles, just as we’d welcome a cold lemonade on a hot day or a hot chocolate on a cold one, depending on which season you’re reading this in.

A Beautifully Haunted Hotel

Visually, The Séance of Blake Manor has a comic-book-inspired presentation that uses heavy black outlines, striking colours, and illustrated sequences. This combination brings the gloomy hotel and its unusual residents to life and creates an atmosphere where the strange apparitions, shifting objects, and unsettling noises won’t be easily forgotten.

Speaking of memorable moments, the narrative draws heavily from Irish folklore and Victorian spiritualism, exploring various beliefs and traditions through its characters and their personal stories. We particularly appreciated that the supernatural elements are treated as part of the investigation, with their own rules and explanations.

This might sound like nitpicking, but we felt that exploring the increasingly large hotel involved a fair amount of backtracking. In addition, the frequent loading screens between rooms, although relatively quick, can make those journeys tiresome and break the immersion. Some conversations can also feel awkward when we uncover information out of the expected order. And then there’s the sheer number of clues and characters, which might initially overwhelm players who prefer more straightforward adventures.

A Mystery Worth Investigating

Our score: 9/10

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• Title: The Séance of Blake Manor
• Developer: Spooky Doorway
• Publisher: Raw Fury
• Release Date: October 27, 2025
• Platform: PC
• Genre: Supernatural Detective Adventure / Puzzle
• Game Modes: Single-player
• Estimated Playtime: 15–20 hours