10.4 hours played
Written 21 days ago
Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 77:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (8/10)
[i] Strange Horticulture [/i] is a slow, meticulous, and utterly spellbinding occult mystery. You’re not a hero, you’re not a chosen one: you’re a quiet shopkeeper identifying plants, uncovering eldritch secrets, and maybe deciding the fate of the world from behind your apothecary desk.
You’ve inherited a plant shop in the gloomy, rain-soaked town of Undermere. Locals come in seeking help—some polite, some desperate, some clearly hiding something. You identify strange flora, match their properties to ailments (or curses), and slowly begin unraveling a creeping cosmic mystery involving cults, witches, and forgotten powers buried beneath the soil.
Just beware—some flowers bite back.
[b] 🌱 Pros: [/b]
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[*] Wonderfully tactile detective work. Each plant is a tiny mystery. You’ll pore over your botany book, compare sketches, and second-guess your identifications with growing paranoia. It feels like work—in the most satisfying way.
[*] Unique blend of occult mystery and cozy shop sim. Equal parts spooky and soothing. You’re flipping through pages while thunder crashes outside, deciding whether a strange weed will heal ... or kill.
[*] Rich, atmospheric worldbuilding. Without ever leaving your shop (aside from occasional field expeditions), you piece together an entire world of secret histories, town gossip, ancient powers, and hidden alliances.
[*] Branching story paths. Multiple endings depending on which factions you support, who you help, and what you plant (or poison). Your moral compass is the only guide.
[*] Smart puzzle design. Whether it’s decoding a strange cipher, aligning map coordinates, or noticing a subtle pattern in a leaf, the game rewards careful observation and patience.
[*] Visually distinct and elegant interface. Everything—your shop desk, map, plant labels, and journal—looks handcrafted. It’s a pleasure just to interact with.
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[b] 🌧️ Cons: [/b]
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[*] Slow pace may not suit everyone. There’s no action here, just deep attention and quiet observation. Perfect for relaxing; not ideal if you’re seeking thrills.
[*] Can get repetitive. The core loop—identify plant, give plant, update book—doesn’t evolve dramatically. By the final chapters, you may find yourself going through the motions.
[*] Vague clues occasionally frustrate. Some customers are maddeningly cryptic, and without the right combination of plants or notes, progress can stall. A built-in hint system might have helped.
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