Strange Antiquities – Even Better than the First Game!

“The road to powerful magical items is paved with good intentions and hideous deathtraps.” – Jeff Mac

Overview

Strange Antiquities is a brand new game from Bad Viking, creators of Strange Horticulture. This new game sees players become the custodian of a shop full of arcane antiques and occult curiosities, based in the town of Undermere. Tasks include finding and identifying different objects and helping local residents with their various needs. As the days go by, an eclectic bunch of people visit the shop, and a darker narrative begins to reveal itself.

Narrative

Strange Antiquities begins as the titular shop’s owner, Eli White, offers the player the job of thurmaturge’s assistant, a role involving a plethora of different tasks. The sudden appearance of an excess of ravens prompts the proprietor’s absence, recognising it as a bad omen and departing to investigate, leaving his new assistant to take care of the business and the delightful cat, Jupiter.

Many of the shop’s patrons have backgrounds and stories of their own; however, it quickly becomes apparent that there is a more sinister, overarching narrative. The ravens aren’t the only peculiar thing occurring in Undermere. There are reports of sickness, a local with a bad eye, a creeping darkness in a nearby house, cult activity, and missing townsfolk. As customers’ needs are met and the days go by, events start to come together, and the bigger picture becomes clearer. The narrative is told largely through dialogue, but also through letters, exposition, and also via the game’s visuals and gameplay itself.

Throughout Strange Antiquities, players have a number of choices, often this involves deciding which item to provide in response to a customer’s request. However, as the game reaches its conclusion, it becomes apparent that there are also multiple endings that can be reached by making different decisions, some more tragic than others.

Gameplay

Strange Antiquities has quite intricate gameplay. As the shopkeeper, players are visited by customers in need. Sometimes, they will know the name of the object they desire, other times they know the effect they need, but not which item, and sometimes they simply explain their problem and ask for something to help. It is up to the player to deduce what will best suit their needs, whilst bearing in mind that the choice will have consequences. The townsfolk that visit are varied and interesting; there are some return visits, and there are even a few characters that will be familiar to those who have played Strange Horticulture.

The player is equipped with a book titled ‘Strange Artefacts: A Guide to Occult Objects’ that provides information about each object and what it can do. Extra pages can be found to expand the book and learn about a wider range of objects. Additionally, as the player progresses, they will acquire two more books to aid them. One contains knowledge of different symbols, and the other has information about various gemstones. All three books can be used to help identify the occult objects contained within the shop, as none are known to the player at the start of the game. Items also emit thaumic fields that can be seen using a special device; these fields further assist in item classification. Labels can be applied to the items as they are identified, and the shop can be organised to the player’s liking.

The process of identifying objects in Strange Antiquities involves using the information available and comparing it to that which can be discovered by scrutinising each thing. The shopkeeper can inspect the different qualities something possesses, such as colour and composition, how it feels, what scents or sounds it emits, as well as observing their inner perception, noting any sensations or feelings the item evokes.

Customers speak to the shopkeeper, but it is not possible to reply, and the dialogue is entirely one-way besides the offering of items. The game progresses in days, and as the shop closes at the end of each day, the player is rewarded with a little bit of story plus a clue card that will enable the discovery of a new object. These cards require the player to solve puzzles and riddles, often to find a specific location on one of the maps that are obtained throughout the game (the town of Undermere, the castle, and an underground tomb), where they can find something noteworthy.

Making mistakes such as getting the incorrect answer to a clue card or supplying a customer with the wrong item will have a negative impact on the shopkeeper’s sanity, as indicated by a sanity meter. When the meter is full, the player must successfully engage in a dice game to reclaim their mind.

Overall, the gameplay is incredibly captivating, with multiple layers of interactivity. Identifying objects, deducing customer requirements, contemplating consequences, and solving clue cards all constitute different types of puzzles that are each very satisfying in their own way. The game design boasts consistency and cohesion, whilst the gameplay itself offers a good level of variety in terms of utilising several different mechanics that tie together seamlessly.

Styling

Strange Antiquities boasts a charming 2D cartoon art style using a dark, muted colour palette with atmospheric lighting. The lack of vibrancy and general aesthetic work well with the themes and narrative, helping to create a slightly spooky feel. The shop’s fixtures, decor, and the items themselves have a consistent style and contribute greatly to the immersive world-building.

The music consists mainly of gentle, sometimes melancholy, piano and strings that sit comfortably in the background, helping to create a rounded and relaxing atmosphere whilst maintaining a mysterious ambience. Minimal sound effects, such as Jupiter purring and the shop bell ringing alongside ambient rainfall and thunder, also add to this. There is no voice acting in the game, but the quality of the dialogue and the intriguing narrative mean this does not impact the experience negatively.

Summary

Strange Antiquities is a very enjoyable game, and even manages to improve on the fantastic experience provided by Strange Horticulture. The subtly spooky aesthetic and occult themes, engrossing interwoven narrative, varied and satisfying gameplay, as well as the ability to influence the outcome of the game, all work together perfectly to create an exceptional experience. The different aspects of playing allow the player to immerse themselves fully and get lost in the game world. Despite the generally casual nature of the experience, it is highly involved and intricate and will enrapture a wide range of players.

I was most impressed with Strange Antiquities. Having played the previous game, I went in with high expectations, which were easily surpassed. It is a fantastic game, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who likes puzzle games, casual gameplay, or sinister occult narratives!

Enjoy puzzle games with a slightly spooky vibe? You may also like these reviews:
Tick Tock: A Tale for Two – The Night is Grey – PRIM – Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus

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