If you enjoy detective stories with a little supernatural mystery, The Séance of Blake Manor might be worth checking out.

The first-person adventure from developer Spooky Doorway and publisher Raw Fury arrived on Xbox Game Pass on October 27, 2026, just in time for Halloween.

Instead of fighting monsters or running from danger, players investigate the disappearance of a young woman inside a remote Irish hotel.

But there’s a problem: everyone at the hotel seems to be hiding something. With a mysterious séance approaching and time running out, you’ll need to question guests, collect evidence, and figure out what’s really happening.

A Missing Woman and a Strange Hotel

The story takes place in Ireland in 1897. You play as Declan Ward, a private investigator who arrives at Blake Manor to investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane.

The hotel is preparing for the Grand Séance, a gathering of people interested in communicating with spirits. Guests have traveled from different places to take part in the event, and the atmosphere is already unusual before Ward begins his investigation.

As Halloween approaches, the mystery becomes even stranger. According to the game’s official website, the story takes inspiration from Irish mythology and the spiritualist movements of the Victorian era. That gives Blake Manor a setting that feels different from a typical haunted-house game.

Rather than simply exploring dark rooms, you’re trying to understand the people staying there and what they might know about Evelyn’s disappearance.

Every Guest Could Have a Clue

Talking to people is one of the most important parts of the game. Players can interview guests, ask questions, and compare what different characters say.

You’ll also keep a journal containing evidence, clues, and information about possible motives. As you learn more, you can confront characters about contradictions in their stories.

Someone might be hiding an important detail. Another person might know more than they’re willing to admit. The challenge is working out which pieces of information actually matter.

It’s a good fit for players who enjoy taking their time with mysteries, reading clues, and solving problems rather than relying on quick reactions.

Time Matters During the Investigation

One of the game’s more interesting ideas is that your actions affect how time passes. The guests at Blake Manor have their own schedules. They move around the hotel and take part in different activities throughout the day.

That means being in the right place at the right time can make a difference. If you spend too long investigating one area, you might miss an important conversation somewhere else.

And if you arrive too late, a useful opportunity could already be gone. The developers have built the mystery around those changing schedules, encouraging players to think carefully about how they spend their time.

It’s a clever way to add tension to a detective game without constantly putting the player in physical danger.

A Comic-Book Look With a Supernatural Twist

The Séance of Blake Manor also stands out because of its artwork.

Rather than aiming for realistic graphics, the game uses a stylized comic-book appearance. Characters and locations have a distinctive illustrated look that helps the hotel feel unusual and full of personality.

The game also uses cinematic scenes and music that responds to the surrounding environment. Spooky Doorway, the Irish studio behind The Darkside Detective, developed the adventure.

That background makes this an interesting project for players who enjoy mystery games with memorable characters and a strong sense of place.

However, The Séance of Blake Manor takes a different approach from the studio’s earlier work, using a first-person viewpoint and a more detailed investigation system.

Where Can You Play The Séance of Blake Manor?

The Séance of Blake Manor is available through Xbox Game Pass on:

  • Xbox Series X|S
  • PC
  • Xbox Cloud Gaming

Microsoft lists the game for Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass subscribers, depending on the platform. The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing eligible digital owners to play across supported Xbox and Windows devices.

You can find the availability details in Xbox’s official Game Pass announcement.

A Different Kind of Halloween Adventure

October usually brings plenty of horror games filled with monsters, jump scares, and difficult battles.

The Séance of Blake Manor offers something different. Its focus is on investigating a mystery, learning about suspicious characters, and deciding how to use your limited time.

For players who enjoy detective adventures, ghost stories, and puzzles, that combination could make it an interesting Halloween pick. And with the game available through Game Pass, subscribers have another mystery to explore without needing to purchase it separately.

Just remember: in a hotel where everyone has secrets, it’s probably worth listening carefully before trusting anyone.