Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 91 | 40 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 85 | 19 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 94% | 89 | 1039 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.8, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 3,885 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 23, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 1039 total reviews in window · weighted 258.2 up / 16 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (28)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 95
“Draped in darkness and gothic Irish trappings, The Séance of Blake Manor makes the most of its eerie atmosphere and mysterious cast of characters in this detective's race against the clock with satisfyingly smart gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 98
“The Séance of Blake Manor is the third game from developer Spooky Doorway, and it’s the small Irish studio’s most ambitious yet. My playthrough lasted about 20 hours, but I took the time to have extra conversations, finish side quests, and explore every nook and cranny. The love that has been poured into Blake Manor, literally and in-game, is apparent. I feel lucky to have entered these hallowed grounds and hope it will be made available on more platforms soon so that more people can experience it.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“The Séance of Blake Manor offers a quiet and intelligent investigation experience that focuses on narrative, exploration, and connecting evidence more than its reliance on challenge or action. It is characterized by its masterfully crafted mysterious atmosphere and its gradual story building that grants the player full freedom in progressing without imposing a specific path, which enhances the sense of immersion and analysis. Although the frequency of loading screens and the slow pace at times may affect the smoothness of the experience, the game remains a distinctive and polished experience for fans of investigation games and deep storytelling.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Séance of Blake Manor is an elegant, humane twist on folk horror and detective design. It's patient, smart, and disturbing in ways that linger.”
read full review ↗ - 97
“With its one-of-a-kind charm and narrative chops, The Séance of Blake Manor is a master class in the detective genre and a delicious supernatural treat for the exact kind of freak I am.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I do want to appreciate how richly The Séance of Blake Manor rewards players for the effort they have put in and the choices they have made. I can’t wait to watch others’ playthroughs to see how the decisions they made or the roads they didn’t take change the game’s world when all is said and done. It doesn’t take much investigation to see this game is one of the year’s best, and it might also be one of my favorite detective experiences of all time.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The Séance of Blake Manor is not just a mystery; it’s also a look at guilt, faith, and the ghosts that history leaves behind. The structure of solving a mystery is satisfying, but the real power of the work lies in the emotional and cultural depth beneath it. The story goes far beyond being a ghost story because of its themes of colonial exploitation and lost identity. The supernatural parts give it an otherworldly feel that stays with you long after the credits roll.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Séance of Blake Manor spices up the classic whodunit formula with Irish folk horror and colonial guilt, sprinkles in a touch of Lovecraft, and serves it all as an interactive unease that creeps under your skin slowly but effectively.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Séance of Blake Manor is an intriguing supernatural mystery filled with interesting characters and secrets to discover. While the time management aspect might feel intimidating at first, it adds a sense of urgency and helps the player feel like a detective while offering enough freedom not to feel stifled. Overall, it’s an excellent game for fans of mysteries and the supernatural.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“The Séance of Blake Manor is an intriguing detective game with a horror twist that makes every minute count (quite literally). Though it can be a bit wordy at times, it is definitely worth the price of admission.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Séance at Blake Manor still manages to be an enthralling piece of theatre, artfully presented and brimming with macabre melodrama.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A fantastic detective adventure, that stands with the very best examples in gaming, thanks to a complex and intriguing mystery filled with interesting characters and puzzles.”
read full review ↗
The Punished Backlog
Eternal Games
Jump Dash Roll
The A.V. Club
The Indie Informer
GamesCreed
Eurogamer
MonsterVine
GameGrin
Metro GameCentral…and 16 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch 1.0.801.75Apr 8, 2026
- Patch 1.0.796.64Mar 23, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.761.219Feb 26, 2026
- Patch 1.0.737.180 & 1.0.746.205Feb 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.723.155Jan 20, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH 1.0.711.134Dec 17, 2025
- Patch 1.0.689.101Dec 10, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.685.93Dec 1, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.620.825 & Come and say Hello at Adventure XNov 19, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.619.818Nov 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.619.809Nov 5, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.619.806Oct 31, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Séance of Blake Manor Demo - Now With VO!Oct 16, 2025