Strange Horticulture

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,251 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Strange Horticulture Game Cover
If you enjoy games that don’t hold your hand, allow you to solve cryptic clues and search out information by yourself, then Strange Horticulture is for you.
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An occult puzzle game in which you play as the proprietor of a local plant store. Find and identify new plants, pet your cat, speak to a coven, or join a cult. Use your collection of powerful plants to influence the story and unravel Undermere’s dark mysteries.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,251 reviews
story1,418 positive mentions
grinding137 negative mentions
  • Cozy atmosphere with beautiful art and soothing music.
  • Engaging puzzles that require thought and attention to detail.
  • Multiple endings based on player choices, adding replayability.
  • Short playtime, with some players wishing for more content.
  • Some puzzles can be vague or frustrating, leading to reliance on hints.
  • Limited character development and story depth, making it feel less impactful.
  • story2,847 mentions

    The story in "Strange Horticulture" is a captivating blend of mystery and occult themes, unfolding through interactions with quirky customers and the identification of various plants. Players appreciate the engaging narrative that offers multiple endings based on choices made throughout the game, although some find the overall plot somewhat straightforward and the character development lacking. The atmospheric setting, combined with the unique gameplay mechanics, creates a relaxing yet intriguing experience that keeps players invested in both the story and the puzzles.

    • “I really enjoyed trying to figure out the plants people wanted and the mysterious story that slowly unfolds as you fill out your plant book and explore the map.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible; moreover, the mystery and the way the plot unravels are utterly immersive and entertaining.”
    • “The story is engaging, and I've had so much fun discovering all of the game's secrets.”
    • “The story has no depth, the gameplay is boring and repetitive.”
    • “The story, though, didn’t really get my interest; it felt kind of like white noise in the background.”
    • “I completed the story in under 6 hours, and there were fewer options to influence the story than I thought there would be.”
  • gameplay948 mentions

    The gameplay of "Strange Horticulture" is characterized by its focus on plant identification and puzzle-solving, creating a relaxing yet engaging experience. While many players appreciate the cozy atmosphere and unique mechanics reminiscent of games like "Papers, Please," some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, particularly as the game progresses. Overall, it offers a charming blend of exploration and narrative, though some mechanics feel underutilized and the gameplay can become tedious over time.

    • “Gameplay is simple and easy to grasp, the storyline is really good and I replayed the game a few times to make different choices to see the different endings.”
    • “Its engaging, minimalist gameplay with easy to understand concepts, and a puzzle game that is a relaxing experience rather than frustrating or time consuming.”
    • “The gameplay is relaxing but also immersive.”
    • “This is baby's first occult horror game, and it's got a cozy playstyle that's bogged down by some unfortunate problems with the mechanics.”
    • “The majority of gameplay will revolve around flipping through the pages of an awkward to navigate plant-book and seeing if the description matches the plant you inspect.”
    • “The gameplay loop is rather simple and I can see how the repetitiveness is boring to more action-oriented players.”
  • atmosphere667 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy yet slightly eerie ambiance, enhanced by soothing music, rain sounds, and charming visuals. Players appreciate the immersive experience created by the game's unique blend of mystery, plant identification, and a gothic setting, making it a relaxing yet intriguing puzzle game. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating, calming, and perfect for those who enjoy a mix of light horror and cozy gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere is incredible; moreover, the mystery and the way the plot unravels are utterly immersive and entertaining.”
    • “This game offers an incredibly calming and comforting atmosphere that completely washes over you; the soft pitter-patter of rain on the shop's window and the somber music work well to further immerse you in this story-rich, occult mystery.”
    • “The atmosphere created with your plants gently swaying on their shelves, the rain in the background soundscape, and Hellebore's purring is unmatched!”
    • “Being frank, I think the atmosphere of the game was the biggest missed opportunity.”
    • “The atmosphere sort of aims at a gloomy atmosphere and has an assortment of weak-to-pretty-darn-good puzzles and a story that's rather bland.”
    • “It's a shame because the story and atmosphere are pretty decent, but the gameplay doesn't realize its potential.”
  • graphics623 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and unique aesthetic, which create a cozy yet eerie atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the detailed illustrations of plants and the charming design of the shop, contributing to a relaxing and immersive gameplay environment. While some critiques mention the simplicity of character designs and occasional visual limitations, the overall consensus is that the visuals effectively complement the game's narrative and mood.

    • “Unique concept, stunning artwork, and a wonderfully eerie vibe.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and as a cozy plant game it's really nice, it just doesn't quite sell itself on the mystery/story/investigation side.”
    • “The artwork is beautiful and the idea of the game is nothing I've ever really played before.”
    • “The graphics are nothing to write home about, but the vibes are immaculate if witchy plant stuff is your jam.”
    • “However, the artwork for human characters is very...meh.”
    • “The graphics aren't impressive, but they are attractive.”
  • music594 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as soothing and atmospheric, effectively enhancing the cozy yet eerie ambiance of the gameplay. However, many players noted that the soundtrack is repetitive, with only one main track looping throughout most of the game, which can become tiresome over time. Despite this, the calming sound of rain and the gentle piano music contribute to a relaxing experience, making it suitable for casual play.

    • “The music and atmosphere is both comforting and ominous, the storyline is interesting, and the gameplay itself is very chill and non-stressful.”
    • “This game offers an incredibly calming and comforting atmosphere that completely washes over you; the soft pitter-patter of rain on the shop's window and the somber music work well to further immerse you in this story-rich, occult mystery.”
    • “The ambiance created from the music, rain, scratching of pencil, rustling of paper, cat purrs, and scrapping of tools on the wood desk just gives it this deliciously cozy and calm feeling.”
    • “Only one song loops for the entire game (excluding the 'final' segment) so the visual search gameplay is tedious.”
    • “The music is very calming and the atmosphere is also great; I give it a solid 8-9/10!”
    • “The only real downside is that the music is quite repetitive but you can just mute that and listen to something of your own choice without detracting from the game.”
  • replayability285 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it features multiple endings and choices that can alter the narrative, the core gameplay mechanics become repetitive after the first playthrough. Most reviews suggest that once players memorize the plant identification and story paths, the incentive to replay diminishes significantly, making it more suitable for a single enjoyable experience rather than extensive replayability. Overall, while there is some replay value due to the different endings, many feel it lacks depth for multiple playthroughs.

    • “The ability to get a different ending based on the choices you make makes this a great replayable favorite.”
    • “The story is compelling and with the multitude of endings, the replayability is very high for this game.”
    • “Multiple endings and choices that do have an impact mean that there is replay value for days you want a comfy game.”
    • “Eh... an okay-ish mystery story spanning around 6 hours with little to no replayability.”
    • “Its very short, though, and the replay value is limited.”
    • “The story held no surprises, rather arbitrary branching decisions - and thus has no replay value.”
  • grinding148 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players finding certain mechanics, such as plant identification and inventory management, to be tedious and repetitive, especially as the game progresses. While some appreciated the relaxing atmosphere and clever puzzles, they noted that the gameplay can become monotonous, particularly during replay attempts for different endings. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable but marred by tedious elements that can detract from the experience.

    • “The mechanics do get a little boring, but because it's so short, it isn't too tedious.”
    • “Its puzzles have a rhythm that lasts long enough to be rewarding, but not tedious.”
    • “Nothing overly challenging, not grindy, nice mellow soundtrack, and Hellebore is adorable.”
    • “The grinding to get the will to travel annoyed me a bit.”
    • “The plant identification is a fun concept; however, by the end, you have so many plants crammed on the shelves it becomes a bit tedious to find what you're looking for.”
    • “Towards the end you have 70+ plants and it gets really tedious to find the correct one.”
  • emotional40 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a range of feelings, from moments of frustration and confusion to a sense of accomplishment and warmth. While some players found the characters unmemorable and lacking emotional depth, many appreciated the cozy atmosphere, satisfying puzzles, and the feeling of being a skilled horticulturist. Overall, the game successfully creates a unique blend of intrigue and comfort, making players feel both smart and engaged, despite some narrative gaps.

    • “Genuinely a masterpiece, and made me feel how I haven't felt since I first played the Room games.”
    • “The story is so much deeper than I thought and I cried when I realized I got a bad ending because I didn't understand how I got there.”
    • “The audio made me fall in love immediately - every page you turn sounds crisp, the cat purring, the rain outside... this game immediately made me feel invited and cozy, despite the occult vibes.”
    • “It'll replace your life; I cried a bit.”
    • “The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me.”
    • “I expected to feel more connected to the characters, but I found them flat and unrelatable.”
  • humor22 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of cute and dark elements, often blending cozy moments with more somber themes, which some players found disjointed. Many reviews highlight the clever dialogue and amusing character interactions, particularly in the context of plant identification and quirky scenarios, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere despite the underlying horror. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its ability to provide levity and entertainment, making the gameplay enjoyable and engaging.

    • “Funny, in that almost all other characters are living a horror movie and you're avoiding most of it by being an NPC.”
    • “It's very relaxing and the humor in this game is pretty funny if you pay attention to the dialogue.”
    • “Fun horticulture theme, wacky plants and humor mixed in lighten up the mood.”
  • character development12 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character design is detailed and engaging, some players feel that the dialogue lacks depth, preventing meaningful connections and impactful growth. Despite this, others appreciate the well-written stories and the emotional ties formed with characters, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing atmosphere and intriguing puzzles, but it may fall short in delivering a fully immersive character development journey.

    • “This game checked all my boxes: alluring story that isn't just given to you; puzzles galore for both the intrepid puzzle player and for beginners; multiple possible endings; character development; cool art style; great setting; amazing concept; no time limits.”
    • “Character design, after one meeting with each, I have a connection with them, whether it's hate (Isodore - forget him) or Simone who helps me all along the way.”
    • “I am really enjoying the puzzles and the character development/stories.”
    • “Overall, the big mystery is fairly obvious halfway through the game if you literally pay attention at all, but the character development that would have been required to make it interesting or impactful isn't supported by the slight dialogue the game provides.”
    • “It doesn't build any sort of suspense, intrigue, or character development.”
    • “Character design, after one meeting with each I have a connection with them, whether it's hate (Isodore - forget him) or Simone who helps me all along the way.”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with most users reporting no significant glitches. However, some players have encountered minor issues, such as missing plant labels and inconsistencies in plant identification, as well as occasional bugs in the hint system. Despite these glitches, the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck and maintains a pleasant aesthetic.

    • “No glitches that I noticed.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck, just keep the magnifier handy.”
    • “Only frustrating part are some glitches where plant labels seem to be missing after a few days, or plants being identified as two different kinds.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and a nice aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
    • “It can be a little buggy - particularly in the hint system, I think.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Users report mixed experiences with optimization, noting that while the game runs smoothly and is enjoyable overall, it lacks visual optimization for Mac users, which affects performance.

    • “It runs smoothly and is just overall enjoyable.”
    • “Overall impressions and performance are lacking.”
    • “The game is not visually optimized for the deck.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
5-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 51 analyzed playthroughs

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