Merchant

About

Merchant is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Retora Games and was released on October 8, 2018. It received positive reviews from players.

Offline Playable! No IAP currency, all purchases are permanent!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,163 reviews

story44 positive mentions

monetization333 negative mentions

The game is fun and engaging, with a unique merchant perspective on RPG gameplay.
No intrusive ads or pay-to-win mechanics; players can enjoy the game without spending money.
The pixel art style and music create a charming atmosphere that enhances the gaming experience.

The game can become repetitive and grindy, especially in later stages with long wait times for quests and crafting.
There are issues with inventory management, as players often run out of space and have to sell items they may need later.
Some players experience bugs, such as crashes or loss of progress, which can be frustrating.

monetization
494 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
16%
67%
The monetization model of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the absence of forced ads and intrusive microtransactions. Users highlight that ads are entirely optional and can be watched for in-game rewards, allowing for a balanced gameplay experience without the pressure to spend money. However, some players express frustration over the frequency and length of ads, particularly after missions, which can disrupt the flow of the game. Overall, the game is praised for its fair monetization practices, making it enjoyable for both free-to-play users and those willing to make optional purchases.
- “A rare mobile game that's hugely enjoyable and addictive, but isn't weighed down with excess microtransactions.”
- “The in-app purchases are completely optional but add a lot of content if you feel you've finished the game (they are permanent upgrades) and the community online is always ready to help if you have any questions.”
- “No ads, no microtransactions, no prompting to join a community, no annoying music or sound effects.”
- “The gameplay is interrupted far too frequently with ads that can't be skipped.”
- “Ads every 10 seconds.”
- “Honestly, there were so many ads I couldn't even play the game.”
story
434 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
84%
6%
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with many players noting a lack of narrative depth or overarching plot. While the mechanics of sending heroes on quests and crafting items are engaging, they often feel repetitive and grindy, leading to a sense of aimlessness. Some players express a desire for more story elements or quests that could enhance immersion and provide a clearer sense of purpose within the gameplay.
- “This game told an incredible story of a young hero who was the seventh youngest in his group.”
- “The game is beautifully made and I love games like this good time killer but I find the lack of gold slow like give more gold after the mission but other than that this game is epic!”
- “I just really enjoy simple things, it allows me to be imaginative and create my own story for the game.”
- “There is no storyline or plot.”
- “Without a story or at least long-term goals, the game is very grindy.”
- “Decent idea and interesting at first but quickly got bored with grinding the quests to improve equipment to grind next quests.”
gameplay
328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a simple and addictive loop involving crafting, sending heroes on quests, and managing resources, though many players find it repetitive and reliant on waiting mechanics. While the game features a balanced economy and minimal ads, some users express a desire for more variety, depth, and clearer mechanics to enhance the experience. Overall, it offers enjoyable gameplay for casual players, but may not satisfy those seeking more complex or action-oriented experiences.
- “The gameplay is quite deep, and the fact that there's no pay-to-win mechanics is lovely.”
- “Very engaging gameplay, phenomenal aesthetic, endless fun.”
- “The gameplay loop is satisfying and the premise is simple and unique; there aren't many games where you manage a fantasy store and a small army of adventurers for supplying the merchandise.”
- “I seriously fail to see the appeal of this game; there's literally nothing to it. The only actual gameplay consists of waiting for an adventure to be over and crafting and selling, which aren't even satisfying to do. You can argue that there's customization, but come on, you don't even get to see the equipment on your characters, and the stat effects they give don't really matter in terms of seeing their effect because there's no actual combat in the game.”
- “The gameplay is very simple, and I find it excruciatingly repetitive. You click to send heroes on quests, then you click to craft an item, and then you click to sell it, and then all over again. It is not pay-to-win, indeed, so if you like this kind of gameplay, support the devs for making it not pay-to-win.”
- “The core gameplay is very tedious, jumping around menus of mediocre design to start various timers had me uninterested in just a few minutes.”
graphics
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
The graphics of the game are predominantly praised for their charming pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia and complements the gameplay well. While many players appreciate the simplicity and retro aesthetic, some express disappointment over the lack of variation in character appearances and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the game's appeal despite some calls for improvement.
- “First things first, the art style is top notch.”
- “The pixel art and graphics are just absolutely beautiful!”
- “I love the fact that the gorgeous graphics don't overshadow the game quality.”
- “Unfortunately, this completely deforms the graphics, breaks the immersion, and I can't bring myself to play merchant in this state.”
- “The graphics are beyond poor.”
- “The artwork is a disgrace; it looks like one big blur.”
grinding
209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players enjoying the initial stages of progression and crafting but finding the late-game experience tedious and overly grindy. While some appreciate the consistent sense of achievement and the fun of farming materials, others express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding and the time-consuming mechanics involved, particularly in later levels. Overall, the game appeals to fans of grinding and RPG elements, but it may become monotonous for those who prefer a more dynamic gameplay experience.
- “The game is fantastic and anyone who likes grinding will love this game; it's the best waste of my time ever.”
- “I find this to be tedious and wish for my game to resume as I play it; fix it or be deleted.”
- “Everything becomes super grindy and the progression goes asymptotic.”
music
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
48%
7%
The music in the game is generally praised for its soothing and meditative qualities, effectively enhancing the atmosphere and nostalgic feel of the gameplay. However, many players express a desire for more variety, as the limited number of tracks can become repetitive over time. While the soundtrack is often described as charming and fitting, some users also note the absence of sound effects, which could further enrich the gaming experience.
- “The music sets the mood brilliantly and the art style gives me major nostalgia.”
- “The music is great for setting a mood, and the pixel art is pretty good.”
- “Absolutely wonderful game: charming, interesting, well drawn, pleasant music, balanced, varied, and a nice progress system that is rewarding.”
- “The music they have is soothing and meditative, but it's the same music all the time.”
- “The only song gets a little annoying early on.”
- “The game's music is ridiculously loud and I'd rather not have to mute my whole phone every time I boot it up.”
stability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
2%
91%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent glitches, freezes, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players appreciate the developers' efforts to address these issues through updates, others find the persistent bugs frustrating enough to detract from their overall experience. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern, with many players experiencing interruptions that affect their enjoyment.
- “I gave it 4 stars because it's well made, seems bug-free, and I can see why others would like it.”
- “I have a two-year-old ZTE phone and the game runs great.”
- “Runs great and keeps me interested right now and probably for months to come.”
- “Fun but glitches are frustrating enough to put it down.”
- “I paid 8.99 for the full paid pack because I thought it was a great time killer and wanted to support the devs, and now the game freezes after 20 seconds in game.”
- “But glitches made it unplayable.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its low resource usage, smooth performance, and minimalist graphics, which enhance gameplay and battery efficiency. However, some players noted a lack of coherent information on mechanics for optimizing play efficiency, leading to frustration. Despite these issues, many find the game engaging and addictive, making it a worthwhile experience.
- “Game has many different strategies for optimization, and builds on previously introduced mechanics.”
- “Optimized for low resource usage and scratches that RPG itch.”
- “Great game, very minimalist graphics which is awesome for performance, battery usage, and phone temperature.”
- “Not optimized; it held my attention for about an hour or two before it became not worth it to continue progress.”
- “He died because apparently hand-me-downs and an optimized set they do not make.”
- “Despite the lack of coherent information and data about game mechanics for optimization of playing efficiency, this game is incredible.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
12%
25%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of nostalgic pixel art and engaging music, which enhances the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate how the aesthetic elements contribute to a captivating medieval/fantasy vibe, making it enjoyable even for those who typically don't favor this genre. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that sets it apart from similar games.
- “I thought the music would get annoying after a while, but it really just adds to the whole atmosphere of the game.”
- “Has great atmosphere that other apps in the same category severely lack.”
- “The nostalgic, pixelated art and atmosphere brings back memories.”
- “I'm not usually a fan of this type of game, but something about the art, atmosphere, and pacing seems just right.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its funny elements and clever concepts, particularly in relation to gaming tropes. While some find the gameplay repetitive, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the overall experience. Players enjoy the amusing graphics and witty takes on common RPG scenarios, contributing to a fun atmosphere.
- “Simple and funny game.”
- “10/10 game for now, funny and gameplay is fun as well.”
- “Love the humor and the game.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it highly enjoyable and addictive with significant replay value, others feel it lacks depth and offers little incentive to play again. Despite this, many appreciate the game's simplicity and the support for its creators through in-game ads.
- “Fun game, has lots of replay value.”
- “Love the game, very replayable.”
- “Great game with a simplistic approach, surprisingly good depth, and high replay value.”
- “Not much replay value, but delivers as advertised... somehow, oddly addictive...”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Character development in this game is characterized by strategic choices and simplified mechanics, focusing on crafting and inventory management rather than exploration. While it appeals to fans of old-school gameplay and loot surprises, it may feel limited for those seeking a more traditional RPG experience. Overall, it offers a fun yet streamlined approach to character progression.
- “If you like old-school gameplay, loot surprises, strategic character development, and just a lot of fun, this game is for you.”
- “The character development system is engaging and allows for meaningful choices that impact gameplay.”
- “I love how the character development feels rewarding, with each decision leading to unique playstyles and strategies.”
- “This game removes the exploration from the traditional RPG experience and leaves you with the rest: choosing what to attack, crafting, inventory management, and simplified forms of character development, and grinding.”
- “Character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices that impact the story or gameplay.”
- “The progression system is overly simplistic, making it hard to feel a sense of growth or investment in my character.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express frustration with the game's mechanics, noting that the constant need for screen interaction and limited inventory space detracts from the emotional engagement, as it can lead to a sense of annoyance rather than immersion.