New detective game sequel to one of the decade's top title, set for release next month, will find players peddling cursed relics to Victorian oddballs.
In the world of gaming, a new standalone sequel is set to captivate players with its immersive investigative puzzle style and supernatural atmosphere. Strange Antiquities, the follow-up to 2022's Strange Horticulture, introduces a new setting and gameplay focus: instead of plants, you become the custodian of a store dealing in occult antiquities in the small, gloomy town of Undermere.
A New Theme for a Mysterious Town
The game retains the core puzzle and identification mechanics but shifts from botanical remedies to finding and identifying arcane artifacts and helping the townsfolk with their mysterious and supernatural problems. The occult antiquities theme offers a fresh perspective, expanding the magical lore beyond plants and delving deeper into the world's hidden mysteries [1][4].
Exploring Undermere's Dark Secrets
The town of Undermere returns, offering exploration of its hidden secrets and dark mysteries tied to the artifacts and the lives of its inhabitants. Players can explore Undermere using a detailed map to retrieve new objects, ensuring that the investigation never feels confined [1][4].
A Player-Driven Story
As in the original, how you choose to aid or hinder characters through the artifacts influences multiple narrative outcomes and character fates, maintaining the player-driven story structure. With a branching storyline, each decision you make can lead to different consequences, making every playthrough unique [1].
Availability and Pre-Orders
The sequel launches on Windows and Nintendo Switch on September 17, 2025, with pre-orders starting August 8, 2025. Players can choose from various gaming devices such as the "best overall" Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS ed., the "best budget" option Steam Deck, the "best compact" Ayaneo Flip DS, or the "best Windows" option MSI Claw 8 AI, among others [1][3][5].
A Seasoned Games Journalist's Perspective
Rick Lane, a games journalist with a passion for PC gaming since he was seven and a focus on first-person shooters and immersive sims, has praised the game. He has written for Custom PC magazine, bit-tech.net, Edge, Eurogamer, the Guardian, and PC Gamer, among others [1][2].
Strange Antiquities aims to make players feel like real investigators of the occult, promising an atmospheric and narrative-rich experience. For those who want a stronger Lovecraftian flavor, Do No Harm, a game similar to Strange Horticulture, is recommended [4].
[1] Strange Antiquities Official Website [2] bit-tech.net [3] PC Gamer [4] Strange Antiquities Press Release [5] Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS ed. Official Website [6] MSI Claw 8 AI Official Website [7] Steam Deck Official Website [8] Ayaneo Flip DS Official Website
