Strange Antiquities: From Florist to Antiquarian – Why ‘Strange Horticulture’s’ Sequel Is a Masterpiece in Puzzle Design

In the quiet, fog-shrouded town of Undermere, a new shop has opened its doors, but this time, the scent of potent herbs has been replaced with the musty aroma of ancient relics and arcane curios. “Strange Antiquities,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 2022 indie hit “Strange Horticulture,” takes the beloved puzzle formula of its predecessor and elevates it to a new level. Developed by the creative duo at Bad Viking and published by Iceberg Interactive, this new chapter trades the botanical for the bizarre, proving that the game’s core loop of identification and deduction is a timeless and addictive one. As the game officially launches on September 17, 2025, fans are rediscovering why this series is a modern benchmark for the cozy mystery genre.

The original “Strange Horticulture” was a breakout success, praised for its unique blend of a cozy, low-stress atmosphere with an underlying occult mystery. Players were tasked with identifying a myriad of strange plants to sell to the town’s eccentric residents, each with their own peculiar problems. The game’s success was not just in its engaging puzzles but in the tactile, satisfying experience of running a shop, meticulously organizing your plants, and petting your ever-present cat. “Strange Antiquities” understands this success and doesn’t reinvent the wheel; it simply replaces the plants with a stunning collection of otherworldly artifacts. This shift from botany to antiquing is a brilliant move that opens up a new world of puzzle possibilities.

A New Shop, a Deeper Mystery

In “Strange Antiquities,” you step into the role of an apprentice thaumaturge left to run a shop while your mentor investigates an ominous sign: hundreds of ravens circling the town. The gameplay retains the familiar desk-bound perspective, but your workspace is now cluttered with a new set of tools: an atlas of Undermere, cryptic letters, and a grimoire titled ‘Strange Artefacts: A guide to occult objects’. The core loop remains the same, but the challenges are richer and more complex.

• Identifying the Arcane: Just as with the first game’s plants, each antique has a unique description and history. You must cross-reference customer requests with the details in your grimoire, paying close attention to visual cues, symbols, and even the lore associated with each item. A customer might ask for a “stag carved of wood” to aid in a journey, and you must find the specific carving in your collection that matches the description.
• The Ethical Quandary: The game introduces a new layer of moral choice. Some customer requests will present an ethical dilemma, with your choice of artifact having a real impact on the story’s branching narrative. This system adds a powerful new element of player agency, making your decisions feel meaningful and contributing to the game’s high replay value. Choosing to give a malevolent item to a rude customer, for example, might have unseen consequences later in the story.
• Map-Based Exploration: The exploration element from the first game is back, but with a new twist. Instead of finding plants, you’ll uncover clues that lead to new artifacts in specific locations around Undermere. This requires a keen eye for detail, as clues might reference landmarks on your map, historical events, or even the phases of the moon. This puzzle-within-a-puzzle format is a major highlight, encouraging a methodical, Sherlock Holmes-like approach to problem-solving.
• Occult and Cosmic Horror Themes: The occult themes of the first game have been amplified here. The mystery centers on a malevolent force threatening the town, and the artifacts you deal with are not just magical; they are often tied to dark folklore and forgotten deities. The game successfully blends the cozy, calming atmosphere of managing a shop with an ever-present sense of dread, a feat that few games can pull off so masterfully.

For fans of the original, “Strange Antiquities” is an easy recommendation. It captures the same feeling of quiet satisfaction and intellectual reward while introducing enough new mechanics and narrative depth to feel like a fresh experience. For newcomers, it’s a perfect entry point into the world of occult puzzle games, offering a unique and memorable adventure that is both mentally stimulating and wonderfully atmospheric. With its deep, engaging puzzles and rich world-building, “Strange Antiquities” is not just a worthy sequel but a potential contender for one of the best puzzle games of the year. The mysteries of Undermere are calling, and it’s up to you to uncover them, one bizarre antique at a time.