Strange Horticulture is a game that places you amid the dense fog of mystery and the shadowy realms of the occult. This intriguing puzzle game developed by the UK-based indie game studio Bad Vikings and published by Iceberg Interactive and PID Games, is set to bloom onto mobile devices in 2024. Scheduled for release on the App Store and Google Play, this game invites players to immerse themselves in the peculiar and hauntingly beautiful town of Undermere, filled with arcane secrets and hidden dangers.
When you start the game, you assume the role of an unassuming plant shop owner nestled within the eerie town of Undermere. This quiet life takes a fascinating turn when a series of strange customers begin to visit your store, each with their mysterious histories and dark requests. From these peculiar interactions, you are thrust into a spiraling tale of ancient conspiracies, where each clue you unearth plants the seed for further intrigue.
The gameplay of Strange Horticulture is as rich and varied as the greenery it features. Your primary task is to find and identify a wide array of plants, each with distinct appearances and properties. The shop becomes both your sanctuary and your base of operations, with your trustworthy feline companion by your side. As you tend to your botanical finds, the plants will begin to play a more significant role, not just in the ambiance but in how the narrative unfolds.
The storytelling in Strange Horticulture is both deep and interactive. The choices you make as shopkeeper echo throughout the game, shaping the fate of Undermere and your venture. Engage with the town's residents, from the mundane to the insidious, such as a secretive coven or enigmatic cultists, and decide how deeply you wish to entangle yourself in the town's occult underbelly.
One innovative aspect of the game is the inclusion of a sizable map of Undermere and its chilling surroundings. You'll scour this map for clues and use the wisdom gained from your botanical expertise to judge which locations may yield valuable plant specimens and which could spell your mental undoing. By leveraging the effects of your plants, you can manipulate scenarios to discover hidden pathways, access secured areas, or protect yourself from the less savory elements that creep in the town's folds.
The game's creators, Rob and John Donkin, the brothers behind Bad Vikings, are no strangers to the world of innovative indie games, having crafted titles together for over a decade. Their vision for Strange Horticulture is clear in the game's meticulous design and atmospheric storytelling, promising an experience that is both cerebral and tactile.
While a firm release date has yet to be announced, those eager to dig their claws into this botanical detective work can pre-order Strange Horticulture for $4.99. The anticipation for this game is well-founded, as evidenced by the 30-second gameplay trailer available on PID Games' official YouTube account. The brief glimpse into the game's world showcases the immersive setting and hints at the darkly enchanting storyline that awaits players.
Strange Horticulture presents an opportunity for puzzle and mystery enthusiasts alike to test their plant knowledge against the backdrop of a rich narrative tapestry. Whether deciphering the language of flowers, engaging in mystical rituals, or simply petting your cat while contemplating your next move, this game beckons to those with a taste for the arcane and the cerebral. Prepare yourself for a gardening experience like no other, where each plant holds the key to secrets only the bravest or the most curious will dare to unlock. Keep your eyes on the shadowy corners of Undermere, and join the ranks of those who cultivate not just plants, but mysteries, as well.
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