Strange Antiquities

Strange Antiquities is widely praised as a compelling and atmospheric puzzle game that builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, Strange Horticulture. Players appreciate the dark, cozy atmosphere filled with rain sounds, a purring cat named Jupiter, and a richly detailed occult world that invites deep exploration and mystery-solving. The game expands the core mechanics with multiple books, maps, and tools to identify strange artifacts, creating a more challenging and immersive experience.

While the gameplay loop remains similar—running a mysterious shop and solving riddles—the increased complexity demands more patience and research. The story contains multiple endings influenced by player choices, adding replay value. Quality-of-life improvements like an improved UI, automatic saves, and a hint system enhance accessibility. However, some players found late-game puzzles overwhelming or tedious, and certain mechanics, like the sanity minigame, received mixed reactions. Overall, it is considered a worthy sequel and a favorite for fans of cozy, dark mystery puzzle games.

Highlights

Players particularly praise the engaging puzzle mechanics that require cross-referencing multiple books and tools, making artifact identification rewarding. The atmospheric graphics and sound design—including rain, cozy lighting, and a cat companion—create an immersive and relaxing experience. The storyline and world-building are appreciated for their depth, mystery, and multiple endings influenced by player decisions. Quality-of-life features like an improved UI, clickable indexes in books, and multiple save slots are also well received. Many reviewers commend the game for maintaining the charm of Strange Horticulture while expanding its complexity and immersion.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the increased difficulty and complexity that can feel overwhelming or tedious, especially in late-game puzzles requiring extensive cross-referencing and item manipulation. The sanity minigame is viewed by some as a frustrating element that breaks immersion due to its chance-based nature. Several players note quality-of-life issues such as slow page-turning in books, inability to view multiple references simultaneously, and lack of in-game note-taking, which hinder smooth gameplay. Some also mention that the story is less engaging or coherent compared to the predecessor, and certain hints or translations could be improved. These issues sometimes lead players to consult guides, reducing puzzle satisfaction.