Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 84 | 14 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 86 | 62 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 177 reviews sampled · 167 total reviews in window · weighted 112.2 up / 10 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (16)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“Strange Horticulture is the perfect game to unwind with on a rainy day. With its engaging gameplay mechanics, intriguing and playful puzzles, and the well-crafted mysteries of the town of Undermere and its inhabitants, you’ll want to play it over and over again. Do you love plants and solving mysteries? Then don’t hesitate to try Strange Horticulture, which uniquely and beautifully combines these two things.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Strange Horticulture's biggest struggle is shoehorning itself into the Switch's little screen and thumbstick controls. It does that well enough to preserve its wonder, but if you have a PC to play it on, that might be preferable. It comes from a very simple place: a one-screen playfield with basic, heavily scripted interactions. But that is the perfect backdrop to throw the player's new discoveries into sharp relief and bring an eerie world and gripping mystery to life. This irresistible immersion stems eventually from a quiet and unassuming start, so stick with it, it'll grow on you.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Despite the Xbox version currently lacking the better control scheme (mouse & keyboard) available elsewhere, Strange Horticulture remains an evergreen puzzler from start to finish.”
read full review ↗ - 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.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Strange Horticulture is a beautiful investigative game. I was drawn in by immersive writing, simple but rewarding gameplay, and a fine level of polish in visual and sound effects. I loved the quiet, mysterious atmosphere and well-designed puzzles. But looking back, what I liked most were tiny details, sounds, especially. Crinkled pages turning, shop bell ringing, drops of water falling. It’s an experience you want to soak in. That makes Strange Horticulture more than just a puzzle game. If not for inconvenient maneuvering around the interface, I would readily give the Switch version a “Two Thumbs Up”. I imagine the PC version to be a much better, if not perfect, experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A beautiful and engrossing detective game packed with mysteries, puzzles, and intrigue.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Strange Horticulture is an excellently entertaining romp, featuring great puzzles, an intriguing mystery and gorgeously ambient sound effects.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“There’s something so very enthralling about Strange Horticulture; the way it lets you take the lead and figure out everything by yourself will really appeal to those with an analytical mind. The story could perhaps be a little more engaging, but it serves its purpose. Ultimately, it’s going to be Strange Horticulture‘s puzzles, its delicate but eerie presentation, and its satisfying and calming gameplay that will keep you hooked. Something very special awaits for those curious enough to enter Strange Horticulture.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“As a whole, I wouldn’t say Strange Horticulture is a bad game, just somewhat disappointing. I can see the appeal, but it’s honestly often boring. There are some truly great ideas in here, but nowhere near enough to combat the game’s tediously repetitive main gameplay loop. Having more puzzles, riddles, and even a few more visible environments I feel could have made Strange Horticulture a true gem of an indie game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This game was super unexpected, and it is so worth the money, so if this review interested you in Strange Horticulture, you might want to get it. Using the Saving Content rating system out of five, I have to say it’s a solid four from me. Please read more reviews on Saving Content.com to see some other strange or exciting games. I know Strange Horticulture is a very strange game, but one that lives up to its title. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review! If you want to read more of my reviews, keep a close eye on the site! Be brave, bold, and share some peace.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Strange Horticulture is the botany game of my dreams. It has that research-minded gameplay I’ve been seeking for years. And while its story has a lot of moving parts that makes it hard to shift gears between listening carefully to a few patrons and peeking through a microscope, poring over books, and braving the elements to find exotic flora, it pulls you in with its deeply intriguing mystery nonetheless. I can’t recommend Strange Horticulture enough, and for a multitude of different reasons that all boil down to a unique blend of elements entrenched in an unsettling mystique, I declare this to be the bar by which all other games released in 2022 shall be measured.”
read full review ↗ - 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!”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
Nintendo Life
VGChartz
GameGrin
LadiesGamers.com
PC Gamer
TechRaptor
GameSpew
WayTooManyGames
Saving Content
Hey Poor Player
KeenGamer…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Strange Antiquities Has Hit 100.000 Wishlists!Feb 28, 2025
- Localization + Zooming + Halloween Update! 🎃Oct 13, 2022
- Update: Ultrawide Monitors Fix, Plant Color Tweaks, And More!Jan 28, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- NEW Trailer + Steam Next Fest Demo Update!Oct 1, 2021