Strange Antiquities Review – Cozy Occult Puzzles with Teeth
I ran an occult shop, petted a cat, and cross‑referenced dusty tomes to identify eldritch objects. Strange Antiquities refines Strange Horticulture’s formula with tougher puzzles, more maps and a deliciously spooky atmosphere—though some clues can feel maddeningly vague.
Strange Antiquities puts you behind the counter of a candlelit shop in Undermere, asking you to identify mysterious artifacts, help (or hinder) townsfolk and poke around gloomy maps. It’s like Strange Horticulture grew up, got a magnifying glass and a slightly nastier brain—more depth, more maps, more clues, and a cat named Jupiter to bribe with scratches.
The core loop is gloriously simple: inspect odd objects with different tools, consult illustrated tomes and clue cards, then pick the artifact that fits. Shop management is tactile and cozy—label shelves, answer customers and watch consequences ripple through Undermere. Exploration now spans multiple hand‑drawn maps (town, castle, catacombs), where solving location riddles nets fresh finds. New inspection mechanics add satisfying depth: you’ll study materials, symbols, rituals and even use devices like the Thaumic Lens. Choices matter more than a click: some endings and character fates change based on your decisions, though the big branching moments are rarer than you might hope. Presentation is top tier—lovely hand‑drawn art, a moody soundtrack and charming UI touches (yes, you can pet Jupiter). That said, difficulty ramps up noticeably: clues can be delightfully cryptic or maddeningly vague, and a few QoL issues make cross‑referencing books feel fiddly at times.
Strange Antiquities is a lovingly crafted puzzle‑mystery that deepens its predecessor’s formula: richer tools, tougher riddles and a gloomier charm. Expect satisfying sleuthing and occasional head‑scratching—worth picking up if you like cosy occult puzzles with bite.
Pros
- Rich, cozy occult atmosphere with excellent hand‑drawn art and music.
- Satisfying deduction loop: inspect, cross‑reference, deduce—feels legitimately like sleuthing.
- Expanded exploration and shop systems (multiple maps, useful index, neat upgrades).
Cons
- Some clues are overly vague; you’ll occasionally feel like you’re guessing.
- Day‑to‑day loop can feel repetitive and a few mechanics lack clear onboarding/QoL.
Player Opinion
Players praise the cosy‑spooky vibe, clever puzzles and the improved systems over Strange Horticulture—many say it’s a worthy successor. Common complaints: a steeper difficulty curve, a handful of obtuse clues and some tedium when cross‑referencing many items. If you enjoyed methodical deduction games like Book of Hours or the first Strange title, you’ll likely be very pleased; if you want a chill, hand‑holding puzzler, this one is tougher.