Strange Horticulture

 PC
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

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  1. DickPain
    Jun 22, 2022
    3
    I've played the game for two hours and have given up. So far, there are just two types of puzzles. Work out which plant is which, and following some clues to a point on the map. Each puzzle is simply rewarded with either new plants or new pages in the book, and neither the puzzles nor the rewards feel ... rewarding. After two hours of gameplay, I'd hope for some variation, or a strongerI've played the game for two hours and have given up. So far, there are just two types of puzzles. Work out which plant is which, and following some clues to a point on the map. Each puzzle is simply rewarded with either new plants or new pages in the book, and neither the puzzles nor the rewards feel ... rewarding. After two hours of gameplay, I'd hope for some variation, or a stronger storyline, but neither emerged. While the theme is rather original, I simply didn't find the game fun. Perhaps it gets better beyond the two-hour mark, but I'd rather cut my losses.… Expand
  2. dubesor
    Jan 22, 2022
    6
    Pretty decent puzzle game. About 6 hrs of content. Gameplay is reminiscent of Paper's please, where you greet 1 customer at a time, check your handbook for infos, navigate items on your table/work area and have to sometimes make choices The only big difference is that there are no time constraints here, so it's far less hectic and more forgiving when making errors. The story is ratherPretty decent puzzle game. About 6 hrs of content. Gameplay is reminiscent of Paper's please, where you greet 1 customer at a time, check your handbook for infos, navigate items on your table/work area and have to sometimes make choices The only big difference is that there are no time constraints here, so it's far less hectic and more forgiving when making errors. The story is rather weak, you inherit a flower shop and immediately people flock to your flower shop to shower you in totally unrelated conspiracy theories, it felt hamfisted/forced to get a plot going in an totally unrelated setting. I did not care for the characters or story at all. Organising the flowers/mushrooms was a bit annoying, there were some missing QoL features, such as correctly identified plants not being marked in the book. There is a paper map for visiting places and solving certain puzzles and that part I found done well. The puzzles were neither too easy nor too hard. Overall fairly decent. Biggest downside is the story+characters, which the game didn't manage to make me interested in.… Expand
  3. 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. I loved having to try to identify plants.
  4. Traxillion
    Feb 8, 2022
    6
    A nice puzzle game with some pacing issues that cause the story to falter.

    Most of the puzzles are well made but there are a few that are kinda bad.
  5. hardkot
    Apr 18, 2022
    7
    Ctulhu, papers please!

    Puzzle games always were pioneers of genre mixes. This game is also a fresh mix of Collectable game, Papers please with Lovecraftian horror. Visual (8/10) Graphics and music are very atmospheric, on the other hand nothing very special. I like character arts, interface and other staff on your desk, I feel comfortable there, instead of the parts when you go    Ctulhu, papers please!

    Puzzle games always were pioneers of genre mixes. This game is also a fresh mix of Collectable game, Papers please with Lovecraftian horror.

    Visual (8/10) Graphics and music are very atmospheric, on the other hand nothing very special. I like character arts, interface and other staff on your desk, I feel comfortable there, instead of the parts when you go somewhere or see some horrible things. Flowers are the main visual and gameplay element and I can say that they are beautiful and has a lot of real life prototypes. So everyone who love plants will enjoy this.

    Gameplay (7/10) The main gameplay mechanic here - find new flowers and give them proper badges. Sounds boring, buut in fact to find this flowers you need to do different mini quests, and all of them are DIFFERENT, it's great because I don't feel I'm farming this flowers. It feels like real adventure to me, you collect flowers to have more puzzles and to use it for more complex tasks like creating elixirs. I don't like that after 12 days you will have a lot of papers on your desk and it may be difficult to find proper blanc with clue. Puzzle task are also good - first you will need just to find proper flowers, after each day you will need to do a more complex decisions. If you do something wrong - you will have mind debuff and after 3 fails you will need to restart day. It isn't so annoying like in Mind Scanners, on the other hand this fails don't reflects on the ending. While in MS and PP you were always in stress.

    Story (7/10) I love Lovecraftian horrors and stories, so I can say this story is interesting but not very excited. Endings are also very straightforward and it's easy to predict what will be in the end. Characters are below average. In game you will have something like near 10 characters, but in fact really main characters are only 4 that have impact in story endings. It's not a big minus in puzzle game, but they are really not involved in main story. All in all adventure and story is good and I feel satisfied about it.

    I can recommend this game for all puzzle lovers, florists or Lovecraft fans. This game is really good but you don't want to play it more than one time IMHO    … Expand
  6. 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
  7. Thedarkpath
    Aug 11, 2022
    10
    A genuine delight. Atmospheric and enchanting. Puzzles are interesting and free from timers. Very chill and relaxing to play.
  8. 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 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 lookingThis 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.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best PC Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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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. KeenGamer
    Mar 21, 2022
    80
    I really enjoyed playing Strange Horticulture. Although at times the puzzles were a little too challenging, it’s certainly a game I would—one—play again, and—two—absolutely recommend to others. It’s not simply filled with puzzles, but the educational aspect is really entertaining, as you learn useful facts about the many different plants. I may not have a green thumb, but this game certainly makes me want to get one—even if only virtual!
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  2. GameGrin
    Mar 21, 2022
    90
    Strange Horticulture is a shining example of why indie games are worth the time to look into. The art, sound, and story show that simple and subtle design is truly transcendent when the execution is done well.
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  3. 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.
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