Strange Horticulture

 PC
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. CD-Action
    Feb 28, 2022
    70
    Strange Horticulture is a puzzle game where you identify plants and mushrooms for the clients of your herbal store and explore the map following the clues. It’s a game for you if you don’t mind staring at one screen or browsing a swelling botanical handbook – especially if you enjoyed Potion Craft.
  2. GameCritics
    Feb 10, 2022
    70
    While the gameplay is simple and the core loop of identifying plants and making customers happy might be too repetitive overall, Bad Viking’s slow-burn title might end up feeding a green thumb that some players didn’t even know they had.
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  1. Polygon
    Feb 16, 2022
    Strange Horticulture is, appropriately, a strange game, one of those simple premises that balances intrigue, sense of place, and puzzles in a satisfying, tactile way. It’s so easy to become engrossed in this world, to become obsessed with the litany of beautiful, exotic, and sometimes dangerous plants that line the walls of my shop. And it’s already one of my favorite games this year.
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Jan 20, 2022
    It's a completely 2D game with hand-drawn art, and you're basically trapped in one room with a cat for the whole game. The setting is perhaps vaguely Edwardian but mostly unmoored by its strangeness. But it's so immersive! It's very easy to imagine how it feels to brush your hand over the cover of your encyclopedia of plants and flip through the pages. To experience the slight panic as a customer approaches and you sweep secret letters and tools back into the hidden drawer of your desk. The gentle animation of all the plants makes them feel so alive. The pattering of the rain on the windows. It gets cold in the shop, especially in the rain. If only I could persuade Hellebore to come and sit, purring, on my lap sometimes. Ah! Hello sir! Why yes, I have just the thing to help you sleep. Let me see now... Strange Horticulture is quiet, meticulous, delightful, dark, and beguiling. An utterly lovely game. [RPS Bestest Bests]

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best PC Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 23
  3. Negative: 4 out of 23
  1. gingersnap225
    Sep 4, 2023
    9
    Loved it. Wish there was a little more agency. Like real consequences to getting the puzzles incorrect. But the game was delightful. ILoved it. Wish there was a little more agency. Like real consequences to getting the puzzles incorrect. But the game was delightful. I loved having to try to identify plants.… Full Review »
  2. greywarden2
    Apr 29, 2023
    8
    This was an enjoyable little game! The puzzles ranged from very easy to moderately challenging, but I never felt like I was too stuck to moveThis was an enjoyable little game! The puzzles ranged from very easy to moderately challenging, but I never felt like I was too stuck to move on. I enjoyed the "workspace" your character has...A little desk with drawers, and shelves for plants. There are a few choices you can make that will effect the fates of some of your customers, which I appreciated. I'd recommend it to someone looking for a relaxing and unique puzzle game.… Full Review »
  3. levoxyl
    Mar 28, 2023
    10
    it's a great game but it needs improvement with one of the quests which might've been lagged. It makes you feel involved and in nice place
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