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Review: The Order of the Snake Scale

Daniel Waite

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Oct 12, 2025

The Order of the Snake Scale captures an old-school edge that is hard to ignore. Though it won’t appeal to lovers of modern gaming, it has a delightful PS One feel that reminded me of Alone in the Dark. Shot predominantly from a top-down perspective, there is a feeling that Big Brother is watching. However, things take a twist when shooting mechanics are unlocked. Here you’ll tackle some rudimentary first-person moments for an impressive change of pace.

This puzzle adventure title was developed by FM Simple Games Studio and published by Ultimate Games. It is a single-player experience that blends cyberpunk ideas and a dystopian future. Moreover, there are horror vibes as you explore dark and sinister locations. Using classic genre tropes, players must explore each location and find items to progress. The world expands nicely, and the plot plays out at a pleasant rate.

The Order of the Snake Scale tells a suspenseful story.

This Lovecraftian experience is set in a sinister and overbearing world. A corporation known as NML Corporation is part of the new world order. They control everything, and what they say goes. You control a cyborg detective called Seth Vidius. He is investigating a murder in the town of Happy Rock. By exploring the surroundings and understanding its history, he hopes to crack the case and understand the corporation.

The plot unfolds nicely as each key area reveals the history of the universe and the heroes within. Moreover, the dialogue is nicely balanced while revealing the true nature of the oppressive overlords. Though the plot sits at the fore, the puzzles, shooting, and exploration mechanics drive the action forward and keep you hooked throughout.

Old-school but enjoyable.

The developer has focused on an old-school design. The puzzles, dialogue, and exploration are well-trodden but interesting. There are some original moments, but the game heavily relies on genre tropes to keep you playing. This isn’t a complaint, as I love the dated appeal and the familiar nature of the gameplay.

The action flits between top-down movement and first-person combat. The shooting mechanics will not test you, and ammunition is easy to find. Accordingly, there is no sense of danger and survival mechanics are out of the window. This was a shame as I’d have loved to have seen a risk vs reward approach.

The Order of the Snake Scale is rough but great to look at.

Though The Order of the Snake Scale is a little rough around the edges, it didn’t matter. I don’t think a well-polished finish would have worked with this type of game. The rough character models and semi-open world work perfectly together. Moreover, the low texture quality complements the grainy and sinister colour palette.

The audio is atmospheric and captivating. There is a nice blend of songs, and the ambient sounds work particularly well. As you explore each location, there is a sense of tension and suspense. This supports the uncomfortable, horrific, and oppressive plot.

Clunky controls.

The Order of the Snake Scale is a PS One era title. Subsequently, the controls are going to be somewhat ropey at best. Moving the hero takes a little getting used to as he turns and moves pretty slowly. Thankfully, the shooting mechanics are much smoother. Though the controls weren’t perfect, you get used to them pretty quickly.

Replay value and longevity aren’t at the fore. Unfortunately, this isn’t the longest puzzle adventure title. Yes, I got stuck occasionally, but better experienced players will fly through the puzzles and other core moments. Thankfully, it is inexpensive and good value for money.

The Order of the Snake Scale is a great nod to the past.

This isn’t a game that will appeal to modern gamers. The dated appearance and unusual controls will be a turn-off. However, if you are in your late 30s or older, you’ll enjoy the retro nature of this title. I think the developer has delivered a solid puzzle adventure experience, and The Order of the Snake Scale is an uncomfortable, but enjoyable jaunt. Accordingly, I recommend buying it here! Can you crack the case? Talk to the locals, explore your surroundings, and keep yourself together.

Review: The Witcher, White Wolf glasses

Daniel Waite

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Oct 11, 2025

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The Witcher, White Wolf glasses from GUNNAR capture that fantasy edge from the much-loved franchise. Whether it is the game or the TV series, fans will adore the attention to detail and the incredible materials. Moreover, the accessories look amazing, and the hard case is designed to turn heads.

Available in 3 different models, The Witcher, White Wolf glasses offer plenty of versatility. I was sent the non-prescription amber-tinted lenses. Alternatively, I could have selected sunglasses or an array of lens types in -5 to +5 prescription. If you require the latter, these can be ordered at checkout.

GUNNAR is renowned for its Easter eggs and high-quality materials. Fortunately, these glasses incorporate both. The accessories are great, and the frames are comfortable, durable, and perfect for marathon gaming or work sessions. Additionally, the little nods to the franchise will make hardcore fans smile. Furthermore, the leather accents, slim frames, and classic style will appeal to fashion lovers.

What’s in the box of The Witcher, White Wolf glasses?

The packaging is discreet and understated.
The Witcher, White Wolf glasses are part of GUNNAR’s Epic performance level. The slim brushed nickel aviator style is timeless, and I loved the clean look.
A soft case and microfiber cloth can be used to clean the lenses and keep your glasses safe.
The hard case is faux-leather and has some nice Witcher details.

Technical aspects.

Gaming glasses are essential if you wish to reduce the ill effects of blue light and UV light. The amber-tinted lenses offer 65% blue light and 100% UV light protection. Accordingly, this is perfect for anyone who uses tablets, monitors, mobile phones, and TVs for extended periods. Blue light dries out your eyes and causes unwanted fatigue. Moreover, the risk of headaches and itchy eyes is increased.

Thankfully, the patented GUNNAR lens technology helps to reduce these problems. The amber tint mellows the sharpness of contrasting colours. Furthermore, your eyes will not dry out as you type or game for hours. The result is increased productivity, fewer headaches, and reduced fatigue. Additionally, your reactions will be sharper, and you’ll climb up every leaderboard as a result.

Build quality.

GUNNAR never do things by halves. The Witcher, White Wolf glasses are another example of their premium products being delivered perfectly. Every aspect of this product is high quality and next-level. The case and accessories look fantastic. Furthermore, the attention to detail is remarkable.

This level of detail isn’t just reserved for the accessories. No, the Easter eggs can be seen on the slender arm of the brushed nickel frame. Rune markings can be seen on the left arm, and fans with a keen eye will appreciate the subtle but important detail.

The slim frame and aviator-style lenses have a timeless aesthetic. Moreover, the leather-bound arms are comfortable against your temple. Multi-barrel hinges deliver a robust frame that can withstand some rough and tumble. However, I wouldn’t want to be too heavy-handed. The lenses are coated with a scratch-resistant and oleophobic layer. This helps to protect the advanced polycarbonate material and reduce smudges and unwanted marks.

Are The Witcher, White Wolf glasses worth it?

GUNNAR sell an incredible range of unique, stylish, and interesting glasses. Consequently, they have a style to appeal to a large audience. The Witcher, White Wolf glasses will be snapped up by lovers of the franchise and anyone who wishes to incorporate a classic and timeless look to their work or gaming appearance.

These glasses are comfortable to wear whilst improving your eye health. Additionally, they’ll improve your productivity and reduce fatigue and headaches. Accordingly, I love them and I recommend buying a pair here!

_{(More information on GUNNAR can be found here!)}

_{(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!}

Review: Mamorukun ReCurse!

Aidan Cannon

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Oct 11, 2025

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I often grow frustrated when games within the industry discourse are cast aside simply for their aesthetics. Many complain that certain titles (particularly those originating in Japan) possess such grating art styles that they can’t take them seriously, or worse, look down on those who enjoy them.

At first blush, I can understand why people would feel that way about Mamorukun ReCurse!. Its aggressive anime facade can be offputting, especially for “serious gamers” who don’t want to be associated with “that kind of stuff”. Unfortunately, this mindset prevents them from experiencing all sorts of great projects, and while ReCurse! isn’t the cream of the crop, it’s a fun bullet hell timewaster perfect for those looking to chase a high score.

ReCurse! is technically an enhanced port of Mamorukun Curse!, an arcade game that hit Japan in the summer of 2008. Given its initial trappings, you might expect the story to be threadbare, and you’d be correct. Somewhere in here there’s a plot about people being sucked into the Netherworld, where you’ll need to battle a generic “Darkness”, but it’s not likely to hold your attention.

Narrative isn’t too much of a concern for an arcade experience, and the gameplay is more than capable of picking up the slack. ReCurse! is a shmup, featuring a bunch of stylized anime kids. Each has a different shot spread; some fire straight, others in an arc, and one even has homing attacks.

Along the way, you’ll have to dodge plenty of projectiles, with precise movement being just as important as actually killing enemies. It’s a thrill to narrowly avoid death, but should you get hit by an errant shot, your character is done for. Your score in a stage is dictated not only by how many foes you gun down, but by how quickly you can complete it.

ReCurse! does add one interesting wrinkle to the shmup formula, that being the curse bullet mechanic. Charging one up and blasting an enemy will make them take damage over time, but they’ll also fire more projectiles back and drop increased rewards when killed. Alternatively, you can shoot a weak curse right in front of you, where entering it will temporarily buff your firepower. These are great ways to boost your effectiveness as you chase high scores, and the risk-reward tradeoff keeps skirmishes with even low-level enemies engaging.

If you’re deadset on discovering why the game’s events are happening, you can check out story mode. Here you’ll be ushered through various stages, all of which are bookended by relatively static character portraits exchanging dialogue. While this might be considered the premiere offering for a home console release, it’s hard to recommend it when the arcade mode is also present. It allows you to play through many similar environments, even letting you choose which path you’d like to take, without needing to entertain a weak plot.

There’s also the obligatory challenge mode. You’ll be given access to a small handful of stages, and after finishing them, you’ll unlock more grueling gauntlets to battle through. Unfortunately, these are made up of the same scenarios and boss fights you’ve already experienced, offering little in terms of new playable sections, so your enjoyment will be based purely on how motivated you are by chasing scores.

Completing levels across all modes will give you unlockables to view in the gallery. They’re almost all illustrations of the cast, but if you enjoy the anime art style, they can be fun to browse through. You’re also able to view the cutscenes from the arcade release and story mode if you want a refresher.

Is Mamorukun ReCurse! for everyone? No. Is Mamorukun ReCurse! even for most people? Probably not. The game caters to a very niche audience with its gameplay and art style, but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that the package on offer is solid, and those who appreciate the genre will find it a decent addition to their collection.

A Closer Look at the Pitaka 600D Black/Grey (Twill) iPhone 17 Pro Max Ultra-Slim Case

Andrew Edney

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Oct 11, 2025

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Here we take a closer look at the Pitaka 600D Black/Grey (Twill) iPhone 17 Pro Max Ultra-Slim Case.

An ultra-thin and ultra-light phone case with MagSafe compatibility.

Crafted from aerospace-grade aramid fiber for strength and elegance
Ultra-thin and feather-light for a barely-there feel
Minimalist, timeless design that elevates your iPhone
100% MagSafe compatible and wireless charging ready
Scratch-resistant and durable for long-lasting use

Thickness: 0.904(±0.1mm); Weight: 21.3(±1g)
2 months warranty

Made from aerospace-grade aramid fiber, which is 5x stronger than steel and weighs just 1/5 as much. It’s ultra-thin, incredibly tough, and built for premium protection—without the bulk.

Crafted from finely woven aramid fiber, our case offers a silky-smooth, luxurious texture you can feel. It’s not just light and strong—it’s a pleasure to hold, every single time.

A case under 1 mm thick shields the Camera Control Button with aramid fiber, while a hidden capacitive layer lets you tap and slide effortlessly. Seamlessly integrated, it preserves the aramid texture for precise, responsive control.

Offers a sleek, barely-there profile that preserves your phone’s original feel. Ideal for minimalists seeking elegant protection without added weight.

The Pitaka 600D Black/Grey (Twill) iPhone 17 Pro Max Ultra-Slim Case is available now priced around $59.99.

You can learn more from the Pitaka website here.

A Closer Look at the Pitaka 600D Black/Grey (Twill) iPhone 17 Pro Max Aramid ProGuard Case

Andrew Edney

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Oct 11, 2025

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Here we take a closer look at the Pitaka 600D Black/Grey (Twill) iPhone 17 Pro Max Aramid ProGuard Case.

Military-grade protection made from aramid fiber and TPU combined.

Arched Corner Cushioning for all-around defense
Built with aerospace-grade aramid fiber reinforced by shock-absorbing TPU
MagSafe compatible for seamless charging and accessory use
Engineered for military-grade drop protection, safeguarding against serious impacts
Designed to resist scratches, scuffs, and daily wear

Thickness: 2.01(±0.1mm); Weight: 38.1(±1g)
2 months warranty

Passed military-grade protection testing at a height of 2.44 meters and obtained MIL-STD-810H certification. Always feel secure.

The four corners feature an arched design that naturally creates space around the phone, acting like built-in air cushions. On impact, they deform to absorb shock, ensuring even accidental drops land softly.

Made from aerospace-grade aramid fiber, which is 5x stronger than steel and weighs just 1/5 as much. It’s ultra-thin, incredibly tough, and built for premium protection—without the bulk.

Crafted from finely woven aramid fiber, our case offers a silky-smooth, luxurious texture you can feel. It’s not just light and strong—it’s a pleasure to hold, every single time.

The Pitaka 600D Black/Grey (Twill) iPhone 17 Pro Max Aramid ProGuard Case is available now priced around $59.99.

You can learn more from the Pitaka website here.

A Closer Look at the Pitaka Moment Sunset iPhone 17 Pro Max Aramid ProGuard Case

Andrew Edney

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Oct 11, 2025

0

Here we take a closer look at the Pitaka Moment Sunset iPhone 17 Pro Max Aramid ProGuard Case.

Military-grade protection made from aramid fiber and TPU combined.

Arched Corner Cushioning for all-around defense
Built with aerospace-grade aramid fiber reinforced by shock-absorbing TPU
MagSafe compatible for seamless charging and accessory use
Engineered for military-grade drop protection, safeguarding against serious impacts
Designed to resist scratches, scuffs, and daily wear

Thickness: 2.02(±0.1mm); Weight: 38.72(±1g)
2 months warranty

Passed military-grade protection testing at a height of 2.44 meters and obtained MIL-STD-810H certification. Always feel secure.

The four corners feature an arched design that naturally creates space around the phone, acting like built-in air cushions. On impact, they deform to absorb shock, ensuring even accidental drops land softly.

Crafted from finely woven aramid fiber, our case offers a silky-smooth, luxurious texture you can feel.
It’s not just light and strong—it’s a pleasure to hold, every single time.

Recreating the first popular item of the Weaving+series “Sunset Moment”, we have woven an immersive blue time from sunset to moonrise.

The Pitaka Moment Sunset iPhone 17 Pro Max Aramid ProGuard Case is available now priced around $59.99.

You can learn more from the Pitaka website here.

A Closer Look at the Pitaka Moment Milky Way Galaxy iPhone 17 Pro Max Ultra-Slim Case

Andrew Edney

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Oct 11, 2025

0

Here we take a closer look at the Pitaka Moment Milky Way Galaxy iPhone 17 Pro Max Ultra-Slim Case.

An ultra-thin and ultra-light phone case with MagSafe compatibility.

Crafted from aerospace-grade aramid fiber for strength and elegance
Ultra-thin and feather-light for a barely-there feel
Minimalist, timeless design that elevates your iPhone
100% MagSafe compatible and wireless charging ready
Scratch-resistant and durable for long-lasting use

Thickness: 1.08(±0.1mm); Weight: 22.54(±1g)
2 months warranty

When we reflect on our life’s journey, it’s nothing but a collection of moments. The Weaving+ Moment Series, crafted using premium aramid fibre, captures these enchanting moments on our cases.

Crafted from finely woven aramid fibre, our case offers a silky-smooth, luxurious texture you can feel.
It’s not just light and strong—it’s a pleasure to hold, every single time.

A case under 1 mm thick shields the Camera Control Button with aramid fiber, while a hidden capacitive layer lets you tap and slide effortlessly. Seamlessly integrated, it preserves the aramid texture for precise, responsive control.

Offers a sleek, barely-there profile that preserves your phone’s original feel. Ideal for minimalists seeking elegant protection without added weight.

The Pitaka Moment Milky Way Galaxy iPhone 17 Pro Max Ultra-Slim Case is available now priced around $59.99.

You can learn more from the Pitaka website here.

A Closer Look at Krafted Couch

Andrew Edney

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Oct 11, 2025

0

Krafted has unveiled a clever new addition to the modern living room: the Krafted Couch, a fast-charge wireless device charger designed to live right on your sofa arm. Available in Deep Blue, Matcha, and Latte, it’s as much about lifestyle as it is about tech.

A beige object on a couch

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

The Krafted Couch delivers a dedicated charging spot exactly where you need it most. Instead of juggling cables or reaching for wall sockets, you simply drop your phone onto the slim charging pad and relax. An anti-slip silicone ridge ensures the pad stays securely on your sofa arm, while the flexible flat silicone design blends seamlessly into any setup.

A phone on a chair

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

This isn’t just another wireless charger. The Krafted Couch packs:

Fast charge wireless output (15W iPhone / 10W Android)
MagSafe compatibility for easy alignment
USB-C input (9V–2A)
Multi-speed charging: 15W / 10W / 7.5W / 5W
2-metre charging cable for flexible placement

At just 180g and measuring 100mm x 400mm x 11mm, it’s slim enough to disappear into your lounge while delivering full-powered performance.

A person holding a phone

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Where most chargers feel like clutter, the Krafted Couch is designed to complement. Its colour palette, Deep Blue, Matcha, Latte – feels more like interior décor than consumer electronics, setting a new standard for tech that fits your lifestyle.

The Krafted Couch costs £39.99 from https://www.kraftedtech.com/

Review: Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club

Daniel Waite

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Oct 10, 2025

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Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club is a perfect game for your children. Though mystery puzzle games are usually aimed at older audiences, this one is straightforward, enjoyable, and full of lovable characters. Furthermore, if you adore Charlie Brown and the gang, this will melt your heart.

This puzzle adventure title was developed by Cradle Games and published by GameMill Entertainment. It is a single-player experience that focuses on mini-games, fetch quests, and funny dialogue. Accordingly, it is witty, safe, and just the right side of challenging.

Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club tells plenty of silly tales.

The story revolves around Snoopy and his ability to solve problems. This lovable dog teams up with the Peanuts Gang to overcome problems and help the community. As the story progresses, the ideas become more outlandish. Ghost stories, mythical creatures, and other cases must be solved. Thankfully, the gang work together to find the clues and solve the problems.

Each of the 4 chapters covers a unique tale. This was great as it adds fresh ideas to the game. However, the repetitive core mechanics were a little tedious. Luckily, my children didn’t mind as they enjoyed searching for clues, metal detecting, exploring prickly bushes, and much more.

Snoopy unlocks new costumes to gain unique powers. A pirate outfit gives him a spade, and a scout costume allows the team to part prickly bushes. Each costume must be swapped on the fly as a combination of skills is required to solve each problem.

Simple mechanics.

Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club will not test older gamers. Unfortunately, the familiar action and repetitive approach made me grimace. Luckily, this isn’t aimed primarily at older or more skilled players. Instead, younger gamers will thrive because of the rudimentary approach and the small gaming environment.

Alongside the puzzles were an array of mini-games. These simple tasks require reasonable reactions and some finesse. Moreover, there are cars to drive, a plane to fly, music to master, and a memory test. Consequently, younger gamers may require some assistance to be successful.

Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club looks great.

The graphics are nicely presented. The developer has captured the likeness of every character perfectly. Furthermore, the small world is well-designed and eye-catching. Unfortunately, there are a few frame rate issues during cutscenes. Though this isn’t game-breaking, it undermines the clean finish.

The audio is fantastic. The music is safe, upbeat, and enjoyable to hear. Moreover, I like the sound effects and the fun nature of every activity. If you remember the cartoon, Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club will make you smile. The acting is great, and it has a nice layer of nostalgia.

Simple controls.

A refined UI and basic tutorial get you set up in no time. Though the puzzles may test younger children, the control system will not. Subsequently, this is a game that can be mastered in no time at all.

Replay value is limited. Though the developer has incorporated some collectables and fun mini-games, there is little reason to return. I raced through my playthrough in under 5 hours. However, younger gamers will take considerably longer.

Snoopy & The Great Mystery Club is perfect for youngsters.

If you love the Peanuts Gang or you adore simple puzzle games, this will be right up your street. Additionally, if you have kids with an intuitive mind, this will tick plenty of boxes. Though I found it repetitive, it is unbelievably cute, funny, and perfect for its intended audience. Accordingly, I love it and recommend buying it here! Can you solve the mystery? Build your team, find every clue, and prove your worth.

Review: Strange Antiquities

Josh Blackburn

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Oct 10, 2025

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I don’t know if there are any health and safety rules for dealing with cursed objects, but the protagonist of Strange Antiquities must blow past them all. Their master is barely out the front door before they’re picking up weird antiques with their bare hands and holding them against their ear. They’ll read about how a particular item causes severe paranoia or twists their intestines into a pretzel and they’ll still start shaking it to see if it rattles.

Despite the danger of a curse on me and all my progeny, Strange Antiquities turned out to be rather cosy. An antiques shop is a great setting for a game. It’s a fairly mundane location, being little more than a counter and a load of shelves, which keeps things manageable. But it’s also full of little slices of history and folklore and, in this case, a few spoonfuls of horror. Meanwhile, there’s something spooky going on in the plot. Still, I get the feeling that Strange Antiquities is caught between two worlds, never fully committing to either.

Creepy Keepsakes

The core loop of Strange Antiquities is nice and simple. You’re an apprentice at an antique shop, which your master has left in your care. Customers will come in and request an item, and you need to give them the right one. Said items are a bunch of strange artefacts, ranging from normal to creepy. To identify them, you need to decipher the vague clues found in a series of books. This starts simple, and ramps up until you’re identifying gemstones and weird magnetic fields.

It’s a fun central mechanic and the descriptors are just vague enough that you feel smart guessing them. I especially like ones that require you to mess with the environment, like holding a candle against them. To get more artefacts, you need to explore the town by solving a series of riddles. These do range in difficulty somewhat, but are usually quite entertaining They also have the key factor of making you feel like a clever clogs. In fact, the only part that I don’t fully like about the gameplay is the punishment for getting too many things wrong. You have to play a fiddly little dice game to restart, which didn’t quite fit for me.

Raucous Ravens

While you’re fiddling around with a monkey’s paw or whatever, there are some spooky happenings going on in Strange Antiquities. Customers will tell of ravens gathering around the town, and comatose people turning up with black eyes. It adds a little dose of context to the world, which is nice to see. At certain points you’ll need to a make a decision as to which item to give a pivotal character, which will impact the overall ending. There seem to be quite a few twists here, which is great.

Though an issue with that is that Strange Antiquities has limited replay value. A new game nets the same customers, asking for the same items, so there will be a degree of repetition before getting to the choices. I also feel that Strange Antiquities doesn’t take its gameplay or story as far as it could. Identifying items becomes strangely easy by the end, due to the diminishing number of possible items, and I was hoping for more in-depth mechanics, like taking shavings or conducting detailed experiments. Something that feels more involved than just picking a relevant word from a book.

Strange Antiquities – Cosily Creepy

On the story front, the actual plot points are nice but it’s a little hampered by it all being told second-hand. Sometimes choosing which item to give is a straight-up guess. I would’ve liked the little text adventures found in the exploration to be fleshed out a bit, to give us a little more agency over things. As it is, I found myself dissolving into a stereotypical shopkeeper, barking ‘whaddya want?’ at people telling me their life stories before getting to the point. Probably not the vibe Strange Antiquities was going for.

That might have more to do with the fact that I’ve been fighting off a fever all week. Still, I enjoyed my time with Strange Antiquities. Despite the premise, and that weird antique that’s just a withered hand, it has a lot of cosy vibes. I stuck with it through the epilogue until I’d identified every item. There’s something really satisfying about a shop full of labels, where everything has its place. While I wish it had pushed itself a little further, Strange Antiquities is a short, pleasant experience with a nice dusting of horror.

(Strange Antiquities‘ Steam Page)