Sometimes, the simplest games are the most enchanting. After a cozy dive into visual novels and atmospheric adventures, I eagerly anticipated Strange Antiquities, the captivating sequel to Bad Viking’s beloved Strange Horticulture. Three years after tending to mysterious plants and petting Jupiter the cat, I wondered how this new installment would evolve. It promises an even deeper dive into occult detective work without sacrificing its charm.
Beyond simply offering ‘more’ of what fans loved, Strange Antiquities feels like a complete evolution of its predecessor. While Strange Horticulture focused on plants, this new game shifts its attention to enigmatic artifacts, offering a richer, more interactive experience. Players now have access to a comprehensive index of scientific terms, specialized books for research, and innovative ways to engage with objects. You can even sense an item’s aura – a chilling touch likely signals something ominous. The world map has also expanded, inviting players to uncover new relics hidden within Undermere’s charming, yet mysterious, corners. The thrill of discovery is constant, whether it’s a hidden desk drawer revealing a new clue or a cellar expedition yielding a valuable acquisition for your shop. Despite its accessible design, the game always offers enough depth to keep you thoroughly engrossed.
I recently had the chance to speak with John and Rob Donkin, the duo behind Bad Viking, and asked them why they chose to develop a sequel to a game that already felt so complete. Rob chuckled, explaining, “Honestly, it’s because people wanted more!” He elaborated that while Horticulture was a relatively short game, it left players craving additional content. “We thought we’d close the book on the plant chapter, but decided to open a new one, doing something a bit different but keeping it in the same world with the same style of gameplay.” John added, “We wanted to extend the ‘Strange’ universe.” Antiquities felt like a natural progression, and in an industry where launching a new IP can be incredibly challenging, continuing a successful series made excellent business sense. Their goal was to enhance everything beloved about Strange Horticulture, adding more depth to the detective work and expanding the exploration. “People loved exploring the map, so we’ve added more maps – let’s just go a bit bigger,” John affirmed.
Speaking of sleuthing, the increased emphasis on detective work in Strange Antiquities is truly noteworthy. The addition of a comprehensive index and specialized tomes means you’ll be constantly cross-referencing to identify items. Often, patrons will use vague, colloquial descriptions for their chosen curios, or simply won’t know the name at all, forcing you to meticulously sift through ancient texts to decipher their needs. This deeper involvement in deduction, coupled with the ability to closely inspect objects, adds a welcome layer of complexity compared to Horticulture’s more visual identification.
I asked the brothers why they chose to deepen this specific gameplay element. Rob described the system as more “intentional,” where “information isn’t just given to you; you have to go looking for what the clue might tell you.” John concurred, adding, “There’s a lot more detail in there. We also have the index, which I think really amplifies the detective work.” They lightheartedly recalled how, during the development of Strange Horticulture, they hadn’t even realized they were crafting a detective game. “Rob came around and was like ‘oh I’ve thought of this idea for a game. I saw an advertisement for a horticulture company, so Strange Horticulture is about running an occult plant shop,’ and I was like, ‘we’re making that,'” John recounted. They even repurposed elements from old projects, like a map from a board game prototype and the setting from a point-and-click adventure, which became Undermere. “So we just made that game, and then someone else was like ‘this is one of the best detective games in years,’ and we were like ‘oh yeah, we made a detective game!'”
For someone who wholeheartedly embraces their “detective era,” Strange Antiquities is everything I hoped for in a sequel to Horticulture. It takes every successful element from the original and builds upon it, challenging you to make difficult choices and rewarding you with that satisfying rush of dopamine when you successfully identify an object against all odds. With spooky season approaching, I wholeheartedly recommend Strange Antiquities – it truly is the perfect game for a cozy autumn evening by candlelight.
Strange Antiquities is available on Steam now, so prepare to book your ticket to Undermere and spend your days doting on Jupiter (and, of course, identifying countless intriguing items). Just remember to watch out for the crows; I hear they’re quite numerous in town lately.