Mineko's Night Market

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 179 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • grinding
Mineko's Night Market Game Cover
Mineko’s Night Market is one of the most sweet and whimsical games that I have played, plus it has cats! It is full of personality and has a lot of different activities you can do to keep you coming back for more!
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In "Mineko's Night Market," players guide Mineko, a curious girl exploring a Japanese-inspired island and its legend of the Sun Cat, Nikko. The game features a heartwarming story, cultural celebration, and managing daily activities to prepare for the weekly Night Market. Crafting, puzzle-solving, and competing in minigames are just a few of the many activities players can enjoy.

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Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 179 reviews
story28 positive mentions
grinding43 negative mentions
  • Charming art style and adorable graphics that create a cozy atmosphere.
  • Engaging gameplay with crafting, resource gathering, and a fun night market mechanic.
  • Cute characters and humorous dialogue that enhance the overall experience.
  • Frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and cause frustration.
  • Repetitive tasks and grinding that may lead to boredom over time.
  • Limited options for inventory management and selling items, making some interactions tedious.
  • story111 mentions

    The story in the game is generally described as cute and heartwarming, with a charming art style and engaging characters, though it suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of depth in side quests. Many players find the main narrative simple and sometimes disconnected from daily gameplay, leading to moments where story progression feels tedious or obstructive. While some appreciate the cozy atmosphere and humor, others express disappointment over the limited character interactions and the overall pacing of the story.

    • “The story is lovely and the puzzles were interesting, especially at the end, but I can't recommend this game.”
    • “I love the silly, dry humor infused in the writing, I love the sentimental aspects of the story, and I love how the number of crafts and activities I can do continues to expand.”
    • “The game is beautiful with a cute story, but there's not enough content and too much getting in the way of making this your primary cozy game.”
    • “There are too many repetitive tasks and not enough story.”
    • “Outside of main storyline scenes, they all say the same three or four sentences over and over.”
    • “Some parts of the story seem to conflict with the day-to-day gameplay: e.g. one of the NPCs goes missing in the narrative but is still there in the village each day asking for stuff.”
  • graphics48 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their adorable and charming art style, featuring cute characters and a whimsical atmosphere reminiscent of Ghibli films. While the visuals are considered beautiful and engaging, some players have noted issues with bugs and graphical errors that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's aesthetic appeal and delightful design make it a standout feature, especially for fans of cute and cozy gameplay.

    • “Mineko’s Night Market charms with its adorable visuals and the simple joy of crafting and selling goods.”
    • “The game’s strengths lie within its beautiful art style, witty humor, and cozy/repetitive game style.”
    • “This is a charming game with adorable graphics, great writing, and a variety of cute mini-games at the night market.”
    • “And that’s not to mention the bugs, clipping, sound tearing, and graphical errors that also come with it.”
    • “I think that the gameplay itself is wonderfully charming and cute, but the loading times are unbearable, particularly for a game with 2D, low-fidelity graphics.”
    • “I could possibly excuse the hollow story and tedious gameplay as the art style is very cute, but the bugs turn it from an okay game to an incredibly frustrating one.”
  • grinding43 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both tedious and essential to progression. While some enjoy the rhythm of resource gathering and crafting, others are frustrated by repetitive tasks and bugs that hinder the experience. Overall, the grind can feel overwhelming at times, but it is often balanced by the game's charming aesthetics and engaging story elements.

    • “The game’s bugs and grindy gameplay can be a source of frustration, overshadowing its cute concept.”
    • “I don't mind grinding for items when there's a purpose, but when I'm chopping trees for the second time in a day because I lost all my progress when walking into a ramen shop, it becomes a real slog.”
    • “A lot of the main aspects of the game are disappointing, such as the night market (each month is exactly the same which makes it feel boring and tedious).”
  • gameplay42 mentions

    The gameplay of this cozy crafting game is characterized by a grindy, repetitive loop that involves resource gathering, crafting, and selling items, which some players find relaxing while others deem it tedious. While the charming art and story elements are appreciated, many users express frustration with bugs, crashes, and certain mechanics, such as fishing, that feel uninspired. Overall, the gameplay offers a simple and engaging experience for those who enjoy a laid-back approach, but it may not satisfy players seeking more depth or innovation.

    • “Very cozy game with cats, crafting, and engaging gameplay that changes as you progress!”
    • “The gameplay focuses on a weekly cycle, so don't expect too much progress on any given day; most unlocks will come after you get cash from the weekly night market.”
    • “It's a grindy game, but I like picking up every flower and furball I see, and that sort of gameplay is relaxing to me because I feel a sense of accomplishment.”
    • “Please add a manual save option or fix your issues so it doesn't crash or freeze in the middle of gameplay without the game autosaving... it's so frustrating I almost refunded this game twice.”
    • “The gameplay can be incredibly annoying too.”
    • “I could possibly excuse the hollow story and tedious gameplay as the art style is very cute and there is some funny dialogue, but the bugs turn it from an okay game to an incredibly frustrating one.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and charming qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a varied soundtrack that complements the unique art style and humorous dialogue. Players appreciate the distinct soundtracks for different areas, describing the music as both soothing and engaging, making it a highlight of the game. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's cozy and enjoyable atmosphere.

    • “The music is so peaceful and the dialogue is pretty funny.”
    • “The art and music are both absolutely gorgeous, and the characters are very unique and funny.”
    • “I was particularly blown away by the music and how comfy and unique it makes each area feel.”
    • “For some, maybe it can be a form of meditation while they listen to a podcast or music, but for me, I look for engagement in my games and grind just pushes me away.”
    • “If you're like me and you're lucky enough to have the expendable income to pick a game with soothing music and 100 stumps to chop that sends you to sleep at bedtime, this is the one.”
    • “The dialogue makes me smile, the music is calming.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and wit, with many players finding the dialogue and character interactions to be genuinely funny and engaging. The blend of cute art, peaceful music, and humorous writing creates a cozy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, despite some critiques regarding gameplay and story depth. Overall, the humor is described as a standout feature that adds to the game's appeal.

    • “The dialogue is very funny as well; it is so cute <3”
    • “This game has a charming art style, hilarious characters, and fun music.”
    • “Its incredibly clever, witty, and genuinely had me laughing.”
  • stability21 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting various glitches and bugs that can significantly disrupt gameplay, including game-breaking issues related to resolution changes and inventory management. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly at times and can be enjoyable despite these issues, many expressed frustration over frequent crashes, freezes, and sound glitches, particularly as they progress further into the game. Overall, the game appears to have launched in a buggy state, impacting the overall experience for many players.

    • “It runs great, aside from some loading screen times and occasional glitches.”
    • “The game maintains a solid performance with minimal disruptions.”
    • “Overall, the stability is impressive, providing a smooth gaming experience.”
    • “Sadly, it has a few bugs and glitches, like items that don't leave your inventory after you sold them, your character being off-screen, or just being unable to move sometimes.”
    • “It released in a buggy, somewhat unplayable state.”
    • “I've waited for this game for a long while and while I enjoyed it at the beginning, the more I progress, the more times the game freezes, and each time it lasts longer.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming and wholesome narrative, which players find touching and cozy. While the main story is praised for its cuteness and charm, some reviewers suggest that additional depth could be achieved through more engaging NPC interactions and side stories. Overall, the game is celebrated for its adorable characters and the comforting atmosphere it creates.

    • “After finishing the main story, this game is absolutely precious and wholesome.”
    • “I thought that the story was cute, heartwarming, and was the right length.”
    • “Whilst I do think this is a great cozy sim that I really fell in love with, the overall story is actually very touching.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of Mineko's Night Market is characterized by its charming art direction, seasonal changes, and vibrant character personalities, creating a cozy and unique experience. While some critics note a lack of dialogue that can make the game feel somewhat empty, the overall ambiance is enhanced by beautiful graphics, elements of Japanese folklore, and a delightful mix of farming and crafting activities. Players appreciate the game's humor and the presence of cats, contributing to its inviting and whimsical environment.

    • “Despite the criticism I give it on its lack of dialogue making the game feel a bit vapid, there is still a unique atmosphere to Mineko's Night Market that I haven't seen yet.”
    • “However, the gameplay is fun, the story is sweet and interesting, featuring Japanese folklore with a lovely, hand-drawn art style and cozy atmosphere.”
    • “Its atmosphere with changing seasons, the growing of the night market, the personality of the characters, and the art direction.”
    • “It has everything I could possibly want in a game - beautiful graphics, farming, crafting, chill atmosphere, humor, cats!”
    • “- charming atmosphere”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of Mineko's Night Market has been widely criticized, with players reporting frequent freezes, glitches, and a clunky user interface that detracts from the otherwise enjoyable gameplay. Despite some minor improvements after completing the main storyline, significant performance issues remain, leading many to hope for future patches to address these concerns.

    • “I thought things were performing slightly better since I completed the main storyline, but I have still encountered multiple glitches and weird performance issues.”
    • “Nothing has been optimized, and it is such a shame, particularly due to the actually fun and adorable gameplay (when it works and doesn’t freeze).”
    • “Mineko's Night Market is a good game held back by two things: a clunky UI and a lack of optimization.”
    • “I don't know if it's an optimization issue that can be solved, but I very much hope they figure out how to address this in a patch, because it's a legitimate pain point.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Reviewers note that the game offers various features and content that enhance its replayability, encouraging players to return for new experiences and challenges.

    • “There are so many different paths to explore, which really enhances the replayability.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
    • “Each playthrough feels unique, making it hard to put the game down.”
    • “There aren't enough elements to extend replayability.”
    • “Once you finish the game, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The lack of varied content makes replaying feel tedious.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

Buy Mineko's Night Market

Play time

19hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
5-23hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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