Riddlewood Manor: Where Escape Rooms Meet Halloween Charm

Riddlewood Manor is the kind of indie gem that feels like it was crafted with equal parts mischief and care. Developed by a small team clearly enamoured with the haunted house tradition, the game wears its inspirations proudly while still carving out its own identity. The developers have leaned into a playful horror-comedy tone, creating a manor that is less about terror and more about atmosphere, puzzles, and personality. From the moment you step through its creaking doors, you can sense the love poured into the details: the flickering candlelight, the mischievous doll Suzie who seems to delight in unsettling you, and the way each room feels like a stage set designed to surprise and amuse. It’s not trying to be a grand narrative epic, but rather a cosy, spooky escape-room experience that invites you to poke around, laugh at its quirks, and occasionally jump when you least expect it.

The story of Riddlewood Manor is simple. You arrive at the mysterious Riddlewood estate, a sprawling haunted house with a reputation for trapping those who dare to enter. The manor itself is cursed, tied to the eccentric and ill‑fated Riddlewood family, whose secrets linger in every corridor. As you explore, you uncover fragments of their history from strange experiments, tragic fates, and supernatural mischief that are all woven into the puzzles and rooms you must solve to escape.

One of the most memorable elements of the story is Suzie, a possessed doll who acts as both antagonist and comic relief. She pops up throughout the adventure, taunting you, startling you, and occasionally helping to push the narrative forward. The overarching goal is simple: survive the night and escape the manor. But the charm lies in how the house itself becomes the true character, with its creaking doors, flickering lights, and hidden passages all contributing to the sense that you’re unravelling a living, breathing mystery.  Fans of surreal puzzle series like Rusty Lake will recognize the DNA here instantly.

Riddlewood Manor plays like a whimsical haunted escape‑room adventure wrapped in a point‑and‑click format. You explore the manor room by room, each space acting as a puzzle box filled with clues, riddles, and hidden interactions. Progression comes from carefully observing your surroundings, piecing together environmental details, and solving puzzles that unlock new areas of the house. The design is very approachable for people of all skill levels: puzzles are varied but not overly punishing, making the game accessible to casual players while still offering enough charm to keep puzzle fans entertained.

Playtime is brisk however, averaging three hours for a standard run, or up to seven if you chase every secret and achievement. The pacing encourages one or two sittings, making it perfect for a rainy evening or seasonal Halloween playthrough. Ultimately, the game is less about hardcore challenge and more about immersion, atmosphere, and the joy of discovery, offering a short but memorable adventure that blends spooky charm with lighthearted fun.

What makes the game shine is its atmosphere. The balance between spooky and silly is carefully maintained, so you’re never overwhelmed by darkness, but you’re also never entirely at ease. It’s the kind of game that feels perfect for a rainy evening or a Halloween gathering, where the goal is less about conquering difficulty and more about immersing yourself in a playful haunted world. The developers have managed to capture that elusive “cosy horror” vibe, where the scares are more like party tricks than nightmares, and the puzzles serve as invitations to linger in the manor’s eccentric spaces.

Pros

• Charming blend of spooky atmosphere and playful humour

• Escape‑room style puzzles keep the pace lively and accessible

• Optional jump scares toggle adds thoughtful accessibility

• Manor design feels detailed and immersive, with personality in every room

• Short playtime makes it perfect for a cosy one‑sitting adventure

• Indie creativity shines through in its “cosy horror” vibe

Cons

• Puzzle difficulty may feel too easy for seasoned players

• Narrative is more backdrop than deep story, leaving lore underdeveloped

• Occasional clunky click detection and backtracking slow momentum

• Limited replay value once puzzles are solved

• Short length may disappoint players looking for a longer experience

Riddlewood Manor succeeds not because it reinvents the genre, but because it embraces its own identity so wholeheartedly. It’s short three hours for the main run, perhaps seven if you’re chasing every secret but that brevity works in its favour, making it easy to enjoy in one or two sittings without overstaying its welcome. The game feels like a love letter to haunted houses, escape rooms, and the joy of solving puzzles in strange places. While the narrative may not dig deep into lore, the experience is memorable precisely because it doesn’t try too hard; it knows what it wants to be and delivers it with charm. For players seeking a festive, atmospheric adventure that blends humor with just enough creepiness to keep you engaged, Riddlewood Manor is a delightful stopover in the world of indie puzzlers. It’s the kind of title that reminds you why small studios matter: they can take familiar tropes, twist them with personality, and create something that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)

Riddlewood Manor is available now!