This game scratches a brain itch I didn't even know existed and I'm completely not mad about it. I love this game and I can't even pinpoint why I just do, I've sunk about 2 hours in so far and it's really just a brain worm that I don't want to get rid of.
You are a plant detective with most of the puzzles being either figuring out which plant it is based on a short description and sketch, or secondarily which part of the map to go to (usually to get more plants).
It should be very quick to gauge whether you like going through the individual descriptions and plants checking if they match
Some might find it peaceful and atmospheric esp as there is NO time pressure despite some indicators like the candles.
Others will find it either annoying or understand how quick it will become tedious.
Still even for those who like the main loop, there are many design and UI flaws.
PLEASE check out the options - it includes two "fixes" for things that likely too many people complained about - making the text more legible (and generally bigger) and auto marking plants you've verified.
Outside the two "fixes" there are still the following:
No way to quickly search or sort the plants even once labeled
Shelf becomes too crowded and hard to clear up space to sort the plants
No way to mark the map or quickly search the locations
Needing to wait to explore the map is pointless. Esp. as there's already risk of increasing madness that does the same and is more interesting.
Often the table becomes too crowded with just the viewer, book and maybe one clue
New plants and potions are just inserted in the middle
You'd think the magnifier are for the plants, but nope - most likely using them on the various small text/map
Additionally I felt that the story and puzzles could have been more developed. They are fine as it is, but become stale and did not care enough to get all the endings.