Cozy work in a fairy-tale tavern. Review of the innkeeper simulator Tavern Manager Simulator
A game from domestic developers where you need to serve customers in a fantasy kingdom. Take on the role of a tavern owner who pours ale, cooks soup and throws out overstaying customers.
Taverns have a special place in many stories:
- This is where Dungeon and Dragons players gather before going out into the world;
- In taverns you can find quests to destroy monsters;
- Guests can play games like Gwent from The Witcher;
- This is an ideal lair for all kinds of evil spirits that pretend to be decent people;
- In the tavern you can just relax and have a good time after an epic adventure
In Tavern Manager Simulator, the player has to set up a business in a world that is stylistically reminiscent of World of Warcraft. The main character moves into an abandoned building and puts it in order. The trash is removed, the name is given and it is time to receive visitors.
Initially, the menu only has ale. The process of pouring ale into mugs is made in the form of a mini-game. You can simply pour the drink, or take a risk and achieve the perfect result – you will get additional profit. Risk threatens consequences, and failure leads to a puddle on the floor and loss of reputation.
Once opened, the tavern sees a stream of customers. Muscular men and luscious women order drinks and snacks, which are served on a tray. Prompt service and a friendly greeting enhance the establishment’s reputation.
The clients are different:
- Good boys who eat and drink properly, then pay and leave;
- Alcoholics who throw back mug after mug. At a certain point, the client passes out and has to be thrown out into the fresh air. Sometimes, a drunk citizen “discharges” a tight stream on the floor, which lowers his reputation;
- The hasty ones who want to get their order here and now. If they don’t make it, they throw their chair on the floor in anger;
- Real pigs. They leave a trail of dirt and garbage behind them, which reduces the cleanliness level of the tavern.
The proceeds from the sale go towards buying products. Money is needed to buy tables for visitors and decorations – the latter are bought more for the soul. You will also have to pay for various improvements, which are needed more for the soul. If you are short of money, you can get a loan from the goblins. But I have never encountered such a problem, and therefore did not use this function.
Wealth attracts unwanted attention. Over time, thieves begin to look into the warehouse and rake in armfuls of food. The bastard needs to be hit over the head with a frying pan so that he wisely leaves the premises.
Successful business management increases the reputation level. A high level of the latter allows you to increase the level of the tavern. The tavern becomes larger and more spacious, it becomes possible to purchase improvements. The hostess learns to order sausages, cook soup and fry meat. The last two are associated with separate mini-games. It is strange, but after cooking, the first stages of the mini-game disappear, and return only after restarting the game.
An increase in reputation attracts unusual guests, such as a beggar woman and a tired traveler, who ask for change and water, respectively. They will rush to tell others about the kindness or greed of the hostess. A high reputation attracts noble persons. They eat exquisitely, refuse to sit in the same room with the rabble and will not go to a dirty tavern. But the rich also pay generously.
You also have to deal with the unpleasant side of everyday life. Did visitors make a mess? Put a mop in your teeth and go to war! The dishes need to be collected and washed, the tables wiped down. Is the toilet like a village outhouse clogged? You are amazed at the talent of the visitor’s butt and start playing a disgusting mini-game. Not to mention that the firewood will not chop itself and the water from the well will not materialize.
Fairies become real saviors. They are assigned the role of dishwasher, waitress, cook. The longer a fairy does a certain job, the higher the skill level, and therefore the efficiency. Fairy waitresses have a habit of hanging in one place, which is cured by rebooting. Fairies work for pollen, which raises questions: who produces pollen on an industrial scale? From what? Unfortunately, you will not find an explanation. But maybe the developers will play with this in future patches.
The game tends to be too measured. It seems like your reputation is already through the roof, and there is nothing to spend money on, but you can’t increase the level of the tavern – you need to complete all the tasks. And the tasks are simply boring: sell a certain amount of products. When you complete a task, a similar one appears, but with a different set. And it is far from certain that visitors will order something they need.
If you get bored with everyday life, you can close the tavern and go looking for adventure. The game world is not distinguished by its size, but it compensates for this with a large number of funny references – a bonfire from Dark Souls or Shrek’s swamp .
Diagnosis
At the moment, the game is a very solid simulator. It is full of interesting references and mechanics. The gameplay is set up in such a way that you get drawn in from the first minutes. The attention to the little things that improve the experience is also pleasing. And most importantly: it is simply fun to spend time in it.
Let’s hope that the developers will realize all their ambitions. They want to add new races, events and mechanics. If everything works out, the game will be truly magical.
Pro:
- The game is addictive
- A large number of exciting mechanics
- Many secrets
- Appetizing visitors
- Huge potential
Contra:
- Some tasks make you feel bored at later stages
***
All images copyright One More Time. Preview image from SteamDB
