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Strange Horticulture

Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Xbox Series X|S, Mac, PlayStation 4, Android • 2022

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Quick resume

Strange Horticulture is an occult puzzle game in which you play as the proprietor of a local plant store. Find and identify new plants, pet your cat, speak to a coven, or join a cult. Use your collection of powerful plants to influence the story and unravel Undermere’s dark mysteries.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Simulator, Role-playing (RPG), Puzzle

Pros

  • Unique and immersive atmosphere
  • Engaging and satisfying puzzles
  • Relaxing, no time pressure gameplay
  • Multiple endings and replay value
  • Customizable plant organization

Cons

  • Some players find inventory management tedious
  • Story and characters could be deeper
  • Limited variety in music
  • Lack of in-game note-taking tools
  • Short overall playtime

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to organize plants, choose which customers to help or harm, and decide story outcomes with multiple endings."

  • Competence
    3

    "Engages players in plant identification puzzles and logic challenges that require observation and deduction."

  • Competition
    -4

    "Focuses on personal pace and self-directed puzzle solving without competitive elements or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    3

    "Players often engage in long sessions and replay the game to explore alternate endings and complete collections."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience focused on individual tasks with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players create their own organizational systems for plants and label them freely, expressing personal management style."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No social dominance or power over others; interactions are narrative and choice-based without authority imposition."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Provides a relaxing, immersive escape into a mysterious, atmospheric world with occult and botanical themes."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest in puzzles, plants, and story; no pressure or obligation."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Encourages exploration of clues, testing plant identifications, and trying different story choices across playthroughs."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Players discover new plants and locations on the map guided by clues, fostering curiosity-driven exploration."

  • Expression
    3

    "Allows customization of plant labels and personal organization, supporting self-expression within gameplay."

  • Fantasy
    4

    "Set in a dark, occult-inspired fictional world with mystical plants and supernatural story elements."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social connection or community involvement."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving, plant identification, and story comprehension through gameplay."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires focused attention on puzzles and plant management; not designed for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "Interactions are narrative and surface-level; no deep social or emotional relationship building."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or management of others; player acts independently without guiding groups."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players accumulate plants, unlock encyclopedia entries, and progress through story branches and endings."

  • Relaxation
    4

    "Calm, slow-paced gameplay with soothing music and atmospheric design promotes relaxation and flow."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Enjoyable visual art style, sound design, and atmospheric effects provide sensory pleasure."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

  • Story
    4

    "Strong narrative immersion with unfolding mystery, character interactions, and multiple endings."

  • Strategy
    3

    "Requires logical reasoning, puzzle solving, and planning to identify plants and solve map riddles."

  • Thrill
    -3

    "Low suspense and risk; gameplay is controlled and calm rather than tense or thrilling."

  • Value
    4

    "Players perceive good value for time spent due to engaging puzzles, story, and replayability."

  • Violence
    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive plant identification and puzzle solving."

  • Survival
    -4

    "Stable, low-risk environment without threats or resource scarcity; no survival mechanics."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026