REVIEW | Strange Antiquities

There’s something quietly magnetic about Strange Antiquities. Set in the rain‑soaked town of Undermere, it invites you into a world of candlelight, folklore, and the faint hum of something supernatural just beneath the surface. You play as the Thaumaturge’s apprentice, tending a shop filled with occult curiosities and helping townsfolk with their peculiar troubles while keeping an eye on the ravens gathering ominously overhead.

I’ll admit, I hadn’t played Strange Horticulture, the first game in this universe, before diving into Strange Antiquities. Thankfully, that didn’t matter. This new chapter stands perfectly on its own, offering a dark yet cosy adventure that feels both familiar and fresh. I found myself playing late into the night more than once, unable to put the controller down as Undermere’s mysteries unfolded. It’s the kind of game that makes you want to light a candle, settle in, and lose yourself in its puzzles and secrets, and maybe pause to pet the cat before the next twist unfolds.

Now, let’s dust off the shelves and get into the review.

Things I liked!

• Gameplay | Each day in Strange Antiquities begins with you standing behind the counter of your dimly lit shop. You ring the bell, and a new customer appears, each bringing a request that feels like a small mystery waiting to be solved. Some ask for artefacts said to protect them from strange dreams, others bring in curious objects hoping you can uncover their meaning.
  
  When speaking with a customer, a slot appears for you to place the item they require. Sometimes the name of the item is shown, but that does not make things simple. You still need to investigate, flipping through your notes and examining your shelves to find the right piece. As you play, you will also find maps that allow you to piece together clues discovered through conversations and artefacts. These maps help you locate new areas and uncover secrets that tie back into the stories of the townsfolk. Other times, there may be two slots, giving you the freedom to choose between items that could both fit the request. These moments add a satisfying layer of deduction, turning each encounter into a small puzzle that deepens your connection to Undermere’s mysteries.
  
  If you give the wrong item too many times, you are taken to a dice mini‑game where you must roll and match specific dice objectives before returning to the shop to continue helping the same customer. It is a clever way to keep you on your toes without breaking the game’s gentle rhythm.
  
  As you progress through different days, the story quietly unfolds, revealing new layers and connections between the townsfolk and their troubles. To avoid spoilers, I will not mention specifics, as I found that half the fun. What I will say is that there are eight different endings to discover, with a secret ninth for those who dig a little deeper. It is a thoughtful touch that makes each playthrough feel rewarding in its own way.

• Visuals | Undermere is a place that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The shop’s warm glow and cluttered shelves create a sense of quiet intimacy, each artefact looking as though it carries its own history. The muted palette and soft lighting give the game a timeless quality, while subtle animations such as flickering candles and shifting shadows make the space feel alive without ever breaking its calm.
  
  Using items such as the magnifying glass reveals an impressive level of detail. Textures, markings, and small imperfections stand out clearly, making each discovery feel tactile and real. I also liked some of the gentle visual touches, which enhance the atmosphere and make the shop feel even more inviting.
  
  Every detail feels deliberate, from the texture of aged paper to the way light falls across the counter. It is a world that invites you to linger, to notice the small things, and to lose yourself in its atmosphere.
  
  
  
• Sound | The sound design in Strange Antiquities is gentle and atmospheric, creating a calm backdrop that suits the slow and thoughtful pace of the shop. Soft ambient tones, light melodies, and small audio cues like the bell or the rustle of pages help the space feel warm and inviting.
  
  There is a lot of text to read, and while the quiet approach works well for the game’s relaxing tone, I sometimes felt that having voice actors for the customers could have elevated the experience even further. Even a few voiced lines might have added more personality to the people who visit your shop.
  
  Overall, the sound supports the cosy rhythm of each day and encourages you to settle in and take your time.
  
  
  
• Story | The story in Strange Antiquities unfolds quietly through the customers who visit your shop and the artefacts they bring. Each conversation reveals small pieces of the world beyond your counter, building a sense of mystery without ever rushing. Some customers even return, their stories continuing in small but meaningful ways that make the world feel connected and real.
  
  It’s a slow burn that rewards curiosity, letting you piece together the history of Undermere at your own pace. The writing is thoughtful and consistent, and even without voice acting, the characters manage to feel distinct through their words alone. There are multiple endings to discover, each offering a satisfying sense of closure for those who explore deeply.

Mixed & disliked!

• Controls and Accessibility | The controls in Strange Antiquities are simple but take time to master. There is very little hand holding, leaving you to figure out how each mechanic works through trial and error. At times, actions like moving the cursor and rotating to open a drawer can feel fiddly, and I only discovered late in the game that you can write notes on items you find, a small feature that makes a big difference once you know it is there.
  
  You can adjust controller sensitivity and cursor acceleration, and enable helpful options like auto labelling and simplified text. There is support for 13 languages, though button remapping is not available. The game also offers three save slots, and from your current save you can return to any previous day. This is great once you have completed Strange Antiquities and want to pick up any missing achievements. For the different endings, however, you will still need multiple playthroughs. Despite a few limits, the game’s slow pace and gentle design make it naturally approachable.
  
  Overall, it is functional and friendly, though clearer guidance early on and a few extra options would make it even more welcoming.

• Puzzle Vagueness | Most puzzles in Strange Antiquities are clever and rewarding, though a few can be surprisingly vague. On multiple occasions I found myself completely stumped, wandering around trying to piece together what the game wanted me to do. It rarely explains its logic outright, so you are left to experiment and learn through observation. That sense of discovery can be satisfying, but sometimes it crosses into confusion, where solving a puzzle feels more like luck than deduction. 

How long did I play the review before publishing? 15 Hours
How long to beat the story? 12 Hours
How many Achievements did I earn before publishing? 18/22 OR 625/1000G
How long to achieve 1000G | 20+ Hours
You’ll love this game if you like these | Strange Horticulture & The Case of the Golden Idol

CONCLUSION

Score: 80/100

A gentle and rewarding mystery that lingers long after the final day ends.

Strange Antiquities is a cosy and atmospheric mystery that rewards patience, curiosity, and a love for small details. Its gentle pace, beautifully crafted world, and satisfying shopkeeping loop make it easy to sink into, even when a few puzzles feel vague or the controls take some getting used to. Despite those small bumps, my time in Undermere was memorable, and I often found myself wanting to play just one more day. For anyone who enjoys thoughtful puzzles and rich, quiet storytelling, this is a journey well worth taking.