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 | 54 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 89 | 2621 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.3, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 3,523 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 24, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 2621 total reviews in window · weighted 234.1 up / 15.4 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (31)
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.
- 90
“Strange Antiquities is a gorgeously designed game that uses a shop management setting to explore the compelling story of a community ravaged by occult monsters.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Strange Antiquities is a commendable sequel and also a great standalone game for anyone who wants a quiet but compelling title. Most “quiet” games are cutesy cozy, and so Strange Antiquities fits a very unique niche of being low-key while still interesting and spooky. All that said, the lack of a new game+ mode is a disappointment given the rich and compelling storytelling. The setting is delightful, and makes me wonder if we’ll be so lucky as to return to Undermere for a third time, but for the residents’ sake, I almost hope we don’t! I’m not sure this poor town can handle yet another curse.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In Strange Antiquities, Bad Viking expands the rich world of Strange Horticulture, this time in an antique shop specialising in the occult. The puzzles are cryptic but rarely skull-cracking, forming an addictive gameplay loop: who knew hunting down magic antiques to solve customers' conundrums could be so satisfying?The whole thing is cloaked in a gripping mystery narrative, which you can influence with the right (or wrong) occult oddity. And with the possibility of multiple endings, replay value is high, at least for those of you who want to see just how much strangeness is in store.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Absolutely a very different sort of puzzler, where you’ll need to run with clues to what your customers seek and try to match them to some creepy relics”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A gentle and rewarding mystery that lingers long after the final day ends. Strange Antiquities is a cosy and atmospheric mystery that rewards patience, curiosity, and a love for small details. Its gentle pace, beautifully crafted world, and satisfying shopkeeping loop make it easy to sink into, even when a few puzzles feel vague or the controls take some getting used to. Despite those small bumps, my time in Undermere was memorable, and I often found myself wanting to play just one more day. For anyone who enjoys thoughtful puzzles and rich, quiet storytelling, this is a journey well worth taking.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The best thing about Strange Antiquities is the gloomy atmosphere created by the color scheme and theme. A close second are the imaginative puzzles. The biggest flaw is the console version's controls, but that doesn't ruin the gaming experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Strange Antiquities sticks very close to the premise of the original, Strange Horticulture, while improving on almost every aspect. It offers a dark, atmospheric mystery with multiple endings, but the real entertainment comes in the form of examining the dozens of weird, creepy, and downright unsettling items stocked on your shelves and feeling like a genius when you decipher their hidden clues. Strange Antiquities is an easy recommendation to make for any fan of research-based puzzles.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Strange Antiquities is an excellent mix of subtle dread and fascinating puzzles. The core loop will have you hooked, while the setting will keep you coming back! Able to be played in short bursts or in a few sittings, it is a great addition to any library.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“ Strange Antiquities is a fantastic sequel, taking all the cosy charms of Strange Horticulture and improving on the game's presentation, puzzle design, and more. If you loved the first game, you'll love this too, and will eagerly await whatever occult theme Bad Viking can concoct for their next title. ”
read full review ↗ - 86
“Strange Antiquities is a charming and cozy occult puzzle game that is surely a treat for budding detectives and puzzle-lovers. With its simple point-and-click gameplay that complements a variety of complex challenges and riddles that require extra brainpower, this puzzle game will surely take you on a spooky but intriguing text adventure through the town of Undermere and the secrets that lie within.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Strange Antiquities is a welcome return to the moody town of Undermere. It is what you would like from a cozy game for Autumn, strange artefacts, quirky characters, a moody soundtrack, a cat you can pet, and of course, an overarching mystery to solve.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A great cozy yet creepy puzzle adventure packed with dozens of little mysteries to solve.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
The Punished Backlog
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Life is Xbox
KonsoliFIN
Checkpoint Gaming
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
Game8
LadiesGamers.com
PC Gamer…and 19 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch v1.0.40Oct 6, 2025
- Patch v1.0.37Sep 29, 2025
- Patch v1.0.36Sep 26, 2025
- Patch v1.0.35Sep 24, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Post launch bug fixes v1.0.30Sep 19, 2025
- Chinese font hot-fixSep 17, 2025
- Thank You For 100.000 Wishlists!Feb 28, 2025