Potion Permit

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,987 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • gameplay
Potion Permit Game Cover
Potion Permit may not be the best life simulation or harvesting game you would play, but experiencing it shouldn’t be empty of pleasure.
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Moonbury's residents need healing, and you're the best chemist around! With your trusty tools, a brewing cauldron, and a canine companion at your side, you'll need to diagnose symptoms, gather ingredients, brew potions, and cure ailments in this open-ended sim RPG.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,987 reviews
story477 positive mentions
grinding1,182 negative mentions
  • Charming graphics and art style that enhances the cozy atmosphere.
  • Engaging potion-making mechanics that add a fun puzzle element to the gameplay.
  • Interesting character interactions and storylines that keep players invested.
  • Repetitive gameplay loop that can become tedious, especially with resource gathering.
  • Limited romance options and shallow character development after initial interactions.
  • Fishing mini-game is frustrating and feels like a grind with little reward.
  • story2,123 mentions

    The story in "Potion Permit" is generally described as simple and straightforward, with a charming premise centered around a chemist trying to win over a distrustful town. While many players appreciate the character backstories and the cozy atmosphere, they also note that the narrative can feel repetitive and lacks depth, often relying on fetch quests that detract from the overall engagement. Additionally, some players express a desire for more substantial character development and story progression, particularly after completing the main storyline, which can feel abrupt and unsatisfying.

    • “The gameplay is very engaging and the story keeps the game loop feeling fresh.”
    • “This is a very fun cozy game with a great story and I think anyone who plays it will have an amazing time.”
    • “I absolutely adore the storyline and I thought the townsfolk not immediately welcoming the player with open arms was a breath of fresh air compared to other sims I've played.”
    • “The problem is, after 10 hours, you know all the characters (they don't change), the main story repeats itself again and again and the grind for wood, stone, gold, and achievements is always the same too.”
    • “Story is severely lacking.”
    • “The story itself, also regrettably dry.”
  • grinding1,242 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Potion Permit" has received mixed feedback from players. Many find the resource gathering and mini-games to be tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game, where the need for materials can feel overwhelming and monotonous. However, some players appreciate the cozy, low-effort nature of the grind, enjoying the game's charm and the absence of traditional farming mechanics, making it a relaxing experience for those who enjoy grinding in games.

    • “I liked the starting premise; it gave me an active reason to befriend (or romance) villagers, and it wasn't tedious to do.”
    • “The minigames for the various tasks you do are simple yet not tedious and have just enough variety for them not to become stale.”
    • “In my opinion, the game isn't too grindy or have any major pacing issues.”
    • “The game is very grindy, everything feeling like such a chore.”
    • “I cannot believe that I have had the displeasure of playing what is the equivalent to real life labor, that's how much grinding you have to do.”
    • “The main gameplay of this is so incredibly tedious and the plot is just not enough to overcome the thousands of resources you're required to do anything beyond the initial tutorial of the game.”
  • gameplay1,106 mentions

    The gameplay of "Potion Permit" is characterized by a charming yet repetitive loop centered around resource gathering, potion crafting, and treating patients, reminiscent of life simulation games like Stardew Valley. While the potion-making mechanics are engaging and the art style is appealing, many players find the overall experience shallow and grindy, with a lack of depth in mechanics and story progression. Despite its cozy atmosphere and fun mini-games, the gameplay can become tedious over time, leading to mixed reviews regarding its replay value and overall engagement.

    • “The gameplay is very engaging and the story keeps the game loop feeling fresh.”
    • “I enjoyed the story, the NPCs, and the mechanics were fun.”
    • “The gameplay loop is simple and mostly about farming resources, but overall if you like life/farming sims like this, I recommend this for a low-effort, comfortable time!”
    • “However, after that, the gameplay becomes quite repetitive with little replay value.”
    • “The gameplay loop itself just feels like a chore since it's the same every day with little to no variety - gather this resource, craft this potion, deliver this to someone, unlock the next area to do the exact same.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive, and this is not helped by unchallenging mini games that turn into annoying busy work very quickly.”
  • graphics602 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming and cute pixel art style, which many players find visually appealing and reminiscent of classic indie titles like Stardew Valley. The artwork and animations are described as beautiful and well-crafted, contributing to a cozy and inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience. However, some reviews note that while the graphics are a strong point, they may not fully compensate for gameplay repetitiveness and other design flaws.

    • “Fantastic visuals and aesthetic.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely charming and colorful.”
    • “The art style is beautiful and you can tell they put in a lot of effort into the animations.”
    • “A very graphically pretty game with shallow gameplay that is only fun for a couple of hours before you've basically seen everything the game has to offer.”
    • “The graphics are bog standard for the 'cozy life-sim' genre and without my glasses I couldn't distinguish this from any other entry in the genre.”
    • “It's a shame too because I really liked the art style, music, and concept of the game, but it really falls flat on execution.”
  • music254 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as relaxing and pleasant, complementing the charming pixel art and cozy atmosphere. However, many players note that the soundtrack lacks variety, often becoming repetitive over extended play sessions, which detracts from the overall experience. While some find the music soothing and fitting for casual gameplay, others express a desire for more diverse tracks to enhance engagement.

    • “I absolutely love it, not only the game has a very cute design but also the music is just amazing <3”
    • “The art is gorgeous, the music is very pleasant, and I'm quite fond of the characters.”
    • “The music is very relaxing and feels very fitting, and the pixel art is well done.”
    • “I ended up listening to podcasts while playing because I enjoyed the foraging aspects, but the music and storylines became really repetitive, unfortunately.”
    • “The fact that there was only one track for each area made me get tired of the background music very quickly.”
    • “They try to do a dynamic soundtrack when entering combat, but it is done with the laziest possible fade-in/fade-out method, which leads to a disjointed and jarring aural experience.”
  • stability162 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent glitches, freezes, and crashes across various platforms, particularly on Mac and Steam Deck. While some users noted that recent patches have improved the experience, many still encounter minor bugs that can disrupt gameplay, though most agree that none are game-breaking. Overall, the game is considered quite buggy for a full release, leading to mixed feelings about its stability.

    • “It runs great on my Steam Deck and I find that I am becoming slightly obsessed with this game.”
    • “All the bugs that were experienced early when I played on the Switch have now been fixed and my playthrough on Steam has been bug-free.”
    • “This is a long game so you don't have to worry about it finishing too quickly; it seems to be bug-free to me.”
    • “It's a very casual game, it was buggy in the beginning but I'm glad they've done numerous patches throughout the release.”
    • “The game is a little buggy and can crash which is annoying because it only saves at the very end of the day so you can lose a lot of time.”
    • “It's all just really buggy, great for beta, terrible for $20.”
  • emotional86 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is predominantly described as wholesome and relaxing, providing players with a comforting experience akin to a warm cup of tea. While many players appreciate the heartwarming interactions and charming characters, some express disappointment over the lack of depth in character development and emotional growth, feeling that the game simplifies complex issues without offering meaningful resolutions. Overall, it serves as a great destresser, though it may not resonate with those seeking a more profound emotional narrative.

    • “This game was a great destresser for me, and the wholesomeness of everything just left me feeling good.”
    • “With almost every emotional issue the characters face, they come to the player and say 'is there a potion that can make it all better?' and without fail, the answer is yes.”
    • “Everything I've seen so far in terms of content is so wholesome, and all in all the game is like a warm cup of tea on a rainy morning.”
  • atmosphere54 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy, relaxing qualities, enhanced by beautiful graphics and engaging art styles. Players appreciate the charming characters and the overall inviting environment, although some express frustration with the pacing that can hinder the enjoyment of the atmosphere. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a laid-back gaming experience, despite some noted bugs and limitations in gameplay.

    • “I recommend the game if you like getting to know characters, creating a variety of potions with ingredients found in different ecosystems, and beautiful artwork and a pleasant game atmosphere.”
    • “The game has a wonderful cozy atmosphere and the overall idea behind the game is fantastic.”
    • “If you are looking for a chill experience, with a wonderfully done art style and atmosphere, I highly recommend this.”
    • “The game seems to have attempted to force a 'cozy' atmosphere by throttling progress to a snail's pace rather than letting players take it easy or rush as they choose, and the result is very stifling.”
    • “There's a set number of monsters that spawn every day, shops are only open certain days of the week, most quests are only available during specific time-slots; players are obviously going to want to knock out as many chores and tasks as they can back to back but time ends up being so tight that there's no time to breathe and take in the comfy atmosphere before having to sprint to your next appointment or gather as many sticky jellies and bear paws as you can before 2:00am.”
    • “I wish there was more dialogue from the townsfolk, but overall I think it's super cute and all the goals are just challenging enough for me to enjoy it yet chill enough for me to play it all day and relax with its cute atmosphere.”
  • character development54 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the beautiful character designs and animations, while others criticize the lack of depth and meaningful progression. Although there are moments of character growth, particularly during cutscenes and interactions with romanceable characters, many feel that the development is often superficial and inconsistent, leaving players wanting more. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is strong, the narrative and character arcs could benefit from further expansion and refinement.

    • “There is decent character development in [i]Potion Permit[/i].”
    • “Cutscenes will even include other characters from the town so you get character development on several characters at once, not just the one you're unlocking the next friendship level for.”
    • “As you progress through the relationships of different characters, you'll learn interesting backstory and they'll go through fun character development.”
    • “It's not funny or cute or touching or anything; it doesn't have character development or themes or messages. There's no problem that can't be solved by pushing a couple of buttons and calling it a day.”
    • “My 'main' save file has around 20 hours, and while I have not completed the entirety of the story (including side plots with character development), I can safely say I am tired and just really don't care enough about the plot to continue.”
    • “Storytelling and character development is poor.”
  • humor46 mentions

    The humor in "Potion Permit" is characterized by its charming art design and quirky villagers, with many players finding the character dialogues and interactions genuinely funny. While some aspects of the game, like minor bugs and mechanics, can lead to humorous situations, the overall comedic value is mixed, with some players feeling it lacks depth and character development. Despite these critiques, the lighthearted moments and engaging cutscenes contribute to a cozy and enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “Potion Permit has a cute art design, some interesting villagers with very diverse and funny characters and dialogues.”
    • “The graphics are simple but the little cutscenes are very nicely done with a touch of humor.”
    • “The cutscenes are engaging, the animations are smooth and polished, everyone has their own unique identities, and I found myself laughing at a few jokes from the scenes I have seen so far.”
    • “It's not funny or cute or touching or anything; it doesn't have character development, themes, or messages. There's no problem that can't be solved by pushing a couple of buttons and calling it a day.”
    • “It's not funny or cute or touching or anything; it doesn't have character development, themes, or messages. There's no problem that can't be solved by pushing a couple of buttons and calling it a day.”
  • replayability44 mentions

    Overall, the game suffers from low replayability, with many players noting that it feels repetitive and lacks meaningful content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some appreciate the ability to skip cutscenes, the limited romance options and lack of diverse gameplay experiences contribute to a consensus that it is more of a one-time play. There is hope for future improvements or DLC that could enhance replay value, but as it stands, it does not compare favorably to more replayable titles like Stardew Valley.

    • “If you want actual deduction games, try Mystia's Izayaka (you actually have to deduce what the best dish and drink combo is for your special guests), and Strange Horticulture (a horticultural focused Lovecraftian plant identification game, no time limits, very replayable thanks to different choices), both 10/10 experiences.”
    • “I think the modding scene could truly bring a lot of replayability to this game as well.”
    • “Maybe not quite as good or as replayable as Stardew Valley, but is similar enough that if you like Stardew you will likely enjoy this too.”
    • “However, after that, the gameplay becomes quite repetitive with little replay value.”
    • “I will say: this game does not offer replayability, it's very one and done, so keep that in mind.”
    • “Overall, I did have fun playing it, but there's a huge lack of replayability and I don't think I even once touched the house decoration because it just looked so limiting.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    The game's optimization for mouse and keyboard controls has received significant criticism, with many users finding the key-bindings inadequate and the control scheme poorly designed for PC. Despite these issues, players report that the game runs smoothly and offers a relaxed experience, though improvements in control customization and character speed options are desired. Overall, while the current setup is not ideal, it is manageable after some adjustment.

    • “Runs smoothly and even though they are working on the PC controls, I'd say it's going well.”
    • “The game is very relaxed, runs smoothly, and genuinely just has a cozy feel to it.”
    • “Controls need to be optimized for full keyboard and mouse support to get full praise, but after an hour or so of playing and re-wiring your brain to the keyboard-only controls, it isn't a game-breaking setup.”
    • “It also needs to be said that this game's control scheme is abysmal; it is not optimized for a PC.”
    • “Controls need to be optimized for full keyboard and mouse support to receive full praise, but after an hour or so of playing and re-wiring your brain to the keyboard-only controls, it isn't a game-breaking setup.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a "pointless cash grab," with DLC perceived as unnecessary and primarily aimed at satisfying publisher demands rather than enhancing the player experience.

    • “I feel the DLC here is a pointless cash grab to meet publisher demand for monetization.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy Potion Permit

Play time

18hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
10-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 72 analyzed playthroughs

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