Strange Antiquities

Strange Antiquities is a gorgeously designed game that uses a shop management setting to explore the compelling story of a community ravaged by occult monsters.

90%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, character development

97% User Score Based on 1,711 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

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About

Strange Antiquities is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Bad Viking and was released on September 17, 2025. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In Strange Antiquities, you assume the role of an Apprentice Thaumaturge managing a mysterious shop in the town of Undermere. Your tasks include examining, identifying, and cataloguing arcane artifacts while serving unpredictable customers with occult needs. The game blends careful observation and deduction to maintain the fragile balance between reality and the supernatural.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,711 reviews

story196 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

Strange Antiquities builds upon the mechanics of Strange Horticulture, offering a more complex and engaging puzzle experience.
The game features a captivating atmosphere with a mix of cozy and eerie vibes, enhanced by beautiful artwork and a haunting soundtrack.
Players appreciate the multiple endings and the ability to make choices that impact the story, adding replayability to the game.

Some puzzles can be overly vague or confusing, leading to frustration and reliance on hints or guides.
The game can feel short for its price, with some players wishing for more content or longer gameplay.
The mechanics for identifying artifacts can become tedious, especially with the need to cross-reference multiple books and clues.

story
402 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
50%
1%
The story in "Strange Antiquities" is praised for its engaging and atmospheric narrative, featuring multiple endings and choices that impact the outcome, which enhances replayability. Players appreciate the intricate world-building and character development, although some feel the story lacks depth compared to its predecessor, "Strange Horticulture." Overall, the combination of a spooky storyline, clever puzzles, and immersive storytelling creates a captivating experience, despite some critiques regarding its coherence and pacing.
- “The story is amazing; I could feel and predict outcomes of my choices more clearly, which made me think and weigh each decision.”
- “The story is rich with multiple endings to try to find, and the puzzles are hard but solvable.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly cozy, the mood is dark and mysterious, the story is compelling, the puzzles are intriguing, and of course, the cat is adorable.”
- “I gave it a fair shot, but I really find the story, characters, and gameplay to be dull.”
- “The story is a bit shallow and not that compelling, but the puzzle and investigation elements are good.”
- “Unfortunately, there is no real replay value since the story is always the same up to the last couple of days and the branches aren't too much different; it's not worth a full playthrough again.”
gameplay
291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
67%
2%
The gameplay of "Strange Antiquities" builds upon its predecessor, "Strange Horticulture," by introducing more complex mechanics, diverse puzzles, and an expanded exploration system, all while maintaining a cozy yet eerie atmosphere. Players engage in a satisfying loop of identifying occult artifacts based on vague clues, with improvements in user interface and quality of life features enhancing the overall experience. While some mechanics may feel repetitive or unclear, the game offers a rich narrative and engaging gameplay that appeals to fans of puzzle-solving and immersive storytelling.
- “I loved Strange Horticulture for its innovative gameplay and storytelling, as well as the fresh worldbuilding that the strange premise it gave us.”
- “The gameplay loop is fun and enjoyable, with engaging mechanics that keep you locked in.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are easy but engaging, and the puzzles are intriguing and fun to figure out.”
- “The overwhelmingly positive reviews are a little bit baffling to me, and while I'm not immune to the cozy spooky setting and the cute cat, I don't think those nice atmospheric elements make up for a very limited core gameplay loop with a very by-the-numbers stop-the-ritual plotline bolted on top.”
- “Unfortunately, the main gameplay loop of identifying items is nowhere near as interesting the second time around, because you likely remember most of them.”
- “The story, characters, and every secondary mechanic improved, in exchange for the core gameplay mechanic getting worse.”
atmosphere
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
30%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to blend cozy and eerie elements, creating an immersive experience that draws players in. Reviewers highlight the rich sound design, beautiful visuals, and engaging storytelling that enhance the overall mood, making it perfect for those who enjoy a dark, mysterious ambiance. While some note that the gameplay may feel familiar, the atmospheric qualities remain a standout feature, contributing to a compelling and enjoyable puzzle-solving experience.
- “The atmosphere is rich and immersive, and the puzzles are cleverly designed.”
- “The atmosphere nails that cozy-yet-spooky vibe, making it perfect for Halloween.”
- “Strange antiquities is just as strange, fascinating, and atmospherically moody (yet cozy) as strange horticulture.”
- “The atmosphere is one of the game’s strongest assets—heavy with mist, candlelight, and ambient sounds like distant thunder, creaking floorboards, and muffled voices.”
- “This only takes away from the tension and the atmosphere of the game as well as potentially trapping players in a bad gameplay loop if they misunderstand something or if they get stuck.”
- “The atmosphere and mechanics keep that cozy yet eerie balance that makes the experience so unique, and the puzzles still feel rewarding without being overwhelming.”
graphics
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
42%
3%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful, immersive art style that effectively combines a cozy yet slightly creepy aesthetic. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the visuals, which enhance the atmosphere and storytelling, while the clean and polished design contributes to an engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are described as a significant improvement over previous titles, with a charming and cohesive look that complements the game's themes and mechanics.
- “A few years of refinement have made the art even stronger, and the occult-Victorian aesthetic feels natural rather than trope-heavy or forced.”
- “The artwork is beautiful and the soft cozy feel of this game adds to the overall feel of the game.”
- “The graphics and UI are both noticeably improved and the game is super aesthetically pleasing.”
- “I expected the visuals to be somewhat flat and bland, but what I did not expect is that the writing would be equally dull.”
- “The graphics are solid and the drag-and-drop mechanics felt smooth, but the gameplay and story were underwhelming and confusing.”
- “I don't know why that is, given that it doesn't seem to have a lot of graphical demand on the surface, but on the Steam Deck I can only play for about 30 minutes before the battery was drained.”
music
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
34%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of relaxing and haunting melodies. Players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to complement the game's visuals and narrative, creating a cozy yet intriguing ambiance that draws them into the world. While some noted a limited variety in tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth.
- “The presentation is excellent, and the pretty graphics and serene music set a relaxing tone.”
- “A brilliant puzzle game—even better than its predecessor—with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.”
- “The atmosphere is pitch-perfect, balancing cozy moments with chilling unease, elevated by a soundtrack that’s simple but hauntingly beautiful.”
- “One tip, turn off the depressing music and put something else on.”
- “The soundtrack is extremely limited.”
- “I loved [i]strange horticulture[/i], and [i]antiquities[/i] is everything I had hoped for: more chances to make the wrong deductions (half of the fun), the lovely map puzzles make a return, only the music is as afterthoughty as before, couple of soft piano tracks in the background which start to get old quickly.”
replayability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
68%
9%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while multiple endings and branching choices provide some incentive for replay, many players note that the linearity and limited variation in gameplay diminish its long-term appeal. Some enjoy revisiting the game for different outcomes, but others feel that once the story and mechanics are understood, replay value is significantly reduced. Players recommend it for its charm and depth, but caution that it may not offer enough variety for extensive replaying.
- “The fact that there are many different endings based on the free choice sections gives great replayability, and I've already started my second game.”
- “Multiple endings add replayability and more to do for achievement hunters as well.”
- “It has replayability with lots of different choices to make and endings to find.”
- “However, it's very linear and at 6 and a half hours, it doesn't really offer much replayability.”
- “Unfortunately, there is no real replay value since the story is always the same up to the last couple of days, and the branches aren't too much different to warrant a full playthrough again.”
- “Now, on one hand, there isn't much replayability, as what each item is doesn't change between playthroughs.”
grinding
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
3%
93%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly as the number of items increases and the need to reference multiple sources becomes overwhelming. Many reviews highlight that the repetitive nature of puzzles and the cumbersome item management detracts from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge. While some appreciate the depth of the game, the consensus is that the grinding elements could benefit from refinement to enhance player engagement.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Unfortunately, towards the end the game gets too tedious; the repeated riddles (omg the clocks...) are boring, searching through books and notes is not very comfortable, and dragging dozens of items towards the lens is not much fun.”
- “A lot of tedious work for very little payoff.”
- “The game is not bad; it just becomes more tedious than fun the further you progress.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling immersed in the role of a thaumaturge and forming bonds with well-written characters. The engaging puzzles and themes evoke a sense of cleverness and curiosity, making players feel like skilled researchers uncovering magical secrets. Overall, the game successfully elicits feelings of excitement, nostalgia, and a desire to explore further.
- “It almost made me feel some sense of sisterhood to some of the characters.”
- “It has been a long time since a game has made me feel like this.”
- “Awesome game, made me feel like Gandalf pouring over books in my study to uncover secrets of magical artifacts.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of cute and macabre elements, often eliciting laughter through its quirky characters and situations, such as the shop owner's forgetfulness and the antics of a character named Jupiter. While some players felt the game poked fun at their struggles, the overall tone remains light-hearted and engaging, making it a memorable experience.
- “What I did like was the inclusion of notes explaining why said object was the correct one once you figure it out, even though it did feel like the game was pointing and laughing at me and my misery at times after I had to regain my sanity five times in a row.”
- “Scary, cute, funny, and Lovecraftian, it has made me want to go back and play Strange Horticulture again (which I am going to do now!).”
- “Jupiter is so cute and funny, knocking things off shelves.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Character development in the game is marked by distinct yet somewhat mundane designs that align with its sullen setting. While the art style is generally attractive, it lacks depth and variety, leading to characters that may not stand out as much as players would hope. Overall, the character designs contribute to the game's atmosphere but could benefit from more distinctive traits.
- “Great game with a fun art style and character design; I'm only sad it isn't longer.”
- “The art design is generally attractive, but is consistent to a fault, and without underlying systems to reveal through the art, it produces character designs that are insufficiently distinctive.”
- “The character designs are pretty mundane, as one would expect from a sullen setting like this, but each one feels distinct enough to avoid confusion.”
- “The art design is generally attractive, but is consistent to a fault, and without underlying systems to reveal through the art, it produces artifacts and character designs that are insufficiently distinctive.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is well-optimized for various play styles, making it accessible and enjoyable for players using handheld devices or controllers, particularly those with specific needs like chronic pain.
- “That said, I'm a handheld/controller player due to chronic pain, and I really appreciated how well optimized this game is across different play styles.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players report a stable experience with no significant glitches or soft locks encountered during gameplay.

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84%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews

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11h Median play time

10h Average play time

8-12h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Strange Antiquities is a casual simulation game.

Strange Antiquities is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing Strange Antiquities.

Strange Antiquities was released on September 17, 2025.

Strange Antiquities was developed by Bad Viking.

Strange Antiquities has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Strange Antiquities is a single player game.

Similar games include The Room: Old Sins, The Room Two, The Room, The Case of the Golden Idol, The Talos Principle 2 and others.

Strange Antiquities

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