Potionomics

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,792 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Potionomics Game Cover
Potionomics combines genres to produce a deck-building game that never get old. It sometimes feels overwhelming, but the end product is satisfying enough to keep you hooked.
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"Potionomics" is a single-player business role playing game with an interesting plot, awesome gameplay, fantastic visuals, and a wholesome story. As penniless witch Sylvia, you must master potion-making, negotiating, and managing resources to keep your uncle's potion shop afloat in the town of Rafta. Despite some bugs, the unique atmosphere, humorous dialogue, and engaging recipe system create a truly magical experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,792 reviews
gameplay834 positive mentions
grinding173 negative mentions
  • Charming characters with unique personalities and engaging backstories.
  • Beautiful art style and animations that bring the game to life.
  • Fun and addictive gameplay loop that combines potion crafting, deck building, and time management.
  • Strict time management can make the game feel stressful and overwhelming.
  • Lack of an endless mode or post-game content limits replayability.
  • Some mechanics, like potion brewing and inventory management, can become tedious over time.
  • gameplay1,983 mentions

    The gameplay in Potionomics is a unique blend of deck-building, potion crafting, and shop management, creating an engaging and addictive loop that keeps players invested. While the mechanics are generally well-designed and charming, some players find the time management aspect stressful, particularly during competitions, which can lead to a sense of urgency that detracts from the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and the overwhelming number of mechanics, the game is praised for its vibrant art style, lovable characters, and the satisfying interplay between its various systems.

    • “A good deck builder/store management game that compensates for simple mechanics with charming characters, captivating atmosphere, and fantastic style.”
    • “The potion brewing mechanics scratch that puzzle itch throughout, and the large ensemble cast of colorful characters are a delight to chat with.”
    • “The gameplay loop is good, the story is nice, and ohhh boy the voice acting is really good and gives this game so much.”
    • “The gameplay loop can get a little stale after about week 3, but it's still enjoyable and the characters are interesting enough to make me want to keep playing.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly difficult and coupled with an anxiety-inducing, stressful, time mechanic that got me a loss for all the time I put into the game with no hope of saving my save file.”
    • “The gameplay loop, as a management-sim fan, was very, very good, but the time management aspect can be very intimidating and hard during the first few weeks.”
  • story1,234 mentions

    The story of "Potionomics" is generally described as charming and engaging, featuring a straightforward narrative centered around the protagonist, Sylvia, who inherits her uncle's potion shop and the associated debt. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and their individual storylines, which add depth to the gameplay, although some find the main plot predictable and the pacing rushed, particularly towards the end. A common critique is the lack of an endless mode or post-story content, leaving players wanting more time to explore character relationships and the game's mechanics after completing the main storyline.

    • “Potionomics is a great and engaging, story-driven management game with interesting card-based 'combat' based on sales.”
    • “The story is touching and thrilling, the gameplay process is interesting and challenging at some points, you have different characters with personality to please every taste, the art style is charming and the fresh-added voice acting is greatly performed.”
    • “The story is simple, but it is so well written that it makes up for that, along with charming characters and beautiful animation.”
    • “The main issue with the story is not the narrative aspect, but the fact that there's a constant sense of pressure and forceful guidance to finish it and it's not allowing you any sort of freedom to explore and take things a little slower paced.”
    • “Once you finish the story, the game ends and you can't continue playing, doing all potions or just maxing up stuff.”
    • “I came into this expecting I could finish the main story and continue with gameplay after, but that is not the case.”
  • graphics725 mentions

    The graphics of Potionomics have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and charming art style, which combines 2D and 3D elements to create a visually stunning experience reminiscent of Pixar animations. Players appreciate the expressive character designs and smooth animations that enhance the game's whimsical atmosphere, making it a delight to explore. While some minor graphical glitches and performance issues have been noted, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail in the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The graphics and animations are gorgeous to say the least, and the story was adorable!”
    • “The art style is incredibly polished and adorable, while still being unique; and the sound effects are very satisfying.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the music is beautiful, and the gameplay is engaging and satisfying.”
    • “The graphics are nice, but get a bit repetitive after a while.”
    • “There are a few graphical bugs, but beyond that, it's a very pretty style and very colorful.”
    • “Graphics make it extremely heavy and even then there are still quite a lot of clipping here and there.”
  • music627 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its charm and quality, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy and diverse soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Each character features unique themes that reflect their personalities, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere that players find engaging and memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a standout element, elevating the game's appeal and making it a joy to listen to during gameplay.

    • “The music is deceptively palatable and approachable too; it's so relaxed and non-invasive, but the more you listen, you pick up on such clever and vivid details. Frankly, it is a masterclass in approaching fantasy soundtracks with more than just a grand orchestra soundscape.”
    • “The music is wonderful; catchy leitmotifs do a lot for the world’s characterization, while urgent strings and guitar strokes add drama to haggling battles. Confident solos backed up by lush strings reminded me of Super Mario Galaxy’s soundtrack; high praise indeed.”
    • “The music, the characters, the stories they tell—everything about this game is beautiful, the music, the characters, all of it.”
    • “The music and sound effects aren't anything to write home about.”
    • “The soundtrack is lacking and repetitive.”
    • “The music was good... but is extremely repetitive after a dozen+ hours.”
  • humor186 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, charming characters, and engaging dialogue, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the blend of funny and heartfelt moments, with a variety of quirky interactions that enhance the overall experience. While some found the humor to be hit or miss, the majority agree that it adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making it both entertaining and memorable.

    • “The game is filled with humor that makes showcasing your negotiating skills a joy.”
    • “A very good game with funny dialogues, a bunch of sometimes hilarious characters, a lot of jokes about various dynamics resulting from capitalism, and an addictive gameplay loop blending a deck builder, a management sim, and a light dating sim.”
    • “The writing is funny, the art is gorgeous, and I wholeheartedly recommend this game.”
    • “It is extremely not funny to always remind yourself to replace all your cauldrons with wooden buckets before visiting Muktuk.”
    • “It's an issue because too good potions just skip boss battles — it's not funny and really weird for the final one.”
  • grinding179 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding the potion-making and resource management processes increasingly tedious as they progress. Common complaints include cumbersome UI, excessive loading screens, and repetitive tasks that detract from the overall enjoyment, particularly in the late game. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity, others feel that the grind becomes overwhelming and detracts from the fun, suggesting that quality of life improvements could enhance the experience.

    • “The characters are memorable and lovable - especially with their realistic flaws. The crafting wasn't tedious but still plenty engaging, and the story was so simple and sweet.”
    • “Also, a recipe saving system or mega-min filter would be nice as it gets quite tedious the more pots you get when you just want health potions, etc.”
    • “Cozy game that's not farming.”
    • “Unfortunately, the UI/UX does not scale accordingly to player progress in terms of stuff to do (ingredients to manage, people to meet, etc...) and it got too tedious to manage everything close to the end of the game, so I could not finish it.”
    • “The potion-making system starts out as a fun puzzle but becomes more tedious as you advance in the game.”
    • “The pacing is way off, and once you get far enough in and they stop introducing new characters and mechanics, you start to notice all of the flaws in design, and micromanaging relationships, potion making, and potion selling, and acquiring ingredients starts to get tedious.”
  • character development179 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by vibrant and unique character designs, expressive animations, and engaging dialogue that collectively enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the depth and personality of the characters, noting that their interactions and story arcs feel well-crafted and enjoyable. While the game excels in character design and charm, some reviewers feel that the focus on competition can limit opportunities for deeper character exploration.

    • “The character designs ooze personality and the characters themselves are all super lovable and well animated.”
    • “I really enjoy all of the character designs, the dialogues are fun, and the characters feel fleshed out by the end of their story arcs.”
    • “The character design, animations, dialogue, and soundtrack are all top-notch, with a satisfying gameplay loop that doesn't outstay its welcome.”
    • “I bought it and didn't realize there were character developments within the game; I just thought it was sort of like a townie situation for the NPCs.”
    • “I personally felt that Potionomics would benefit from focusing on the world and character development that it has rather than the rigid rules of completing each contest.”
    • “Your save file simply stops there; you can't continue to play, make potions, finish off your character developments, etc. In a game with so much to explore, the decision to somewhat force the player between making sure they can beat the game and engaging fully with all the excellent writing and characters strikes me as extremely odd.”
  • replayability107 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it offers some enjoyable mechanics and character interactions, it ultimately lacks significant replay value due to its linear story and limited modes. Some players appreciate the potential for different strategies and character routes, but many express disappointment over the absence of features like an endless mode or new game+, which would enhance replayability. Overall, while the game can be fun for a single playthrough, it may not hold long-term appeal for those seeking extensive replay options.

    • “There is definitely replayability, because after playing through once, I want to go back and level up my friendships/cards earlier on.”
    • “Absolutely lovely game, fabulous cast, fun world and a decent challenge for timing out potions and so much replay value with going more into different members of the cast.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic, there are endless possibilities for play styles, and endless amounts of challenges you can set for yourself to give it complete replayability.”
    • “I am disappointed that there isn't a sandbox play or a way to keep playing after the last battle, so the replayability just isn't there for me.”
    • “Sadly, the replayability of this game is very low, unless you want to go back and max out other character stories.”
    • “There is no new game +, no endless mode after, no benefit to starting over, no replay value, and no payoff.”
  • emotional105 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming storytelling, charming characters, and a blend of humor and depth that resonates with players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke genuine feelings through relatable character arcs and touching moments, while also balancing lightheartedness with occasional stress from gameplay mechanics. Overall, players find the experience to be wholesome, engaging, and filled with emotional intelligence, making it a memorable journey through friendship and romance.

    • “The story is touching and thrilling, the gameplay is interesting and challenging at some points, you have different characters with personalities to please every taste, the art style is charming and the freshly added voice acting is greatly performed.”
    • “Each storyline hits their emotional beats well and brings an interesting relatability to the oftentimes larger-than-life characters that inhabit Sylvia's story.”
    • “With a wonderful cast of characters, fantastic music, fun animations, and satisfying mechanics, this game tells an incredibly heartwarming story.”
  • optimization78 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players praising its potential for deep strategic play and resource management, while others report significant performance issues, including lag, memory leaks, and unresponsive UI. Many feel that the strict optimization requirements detract from enjoyment, making the gameplay feel stressful rather than rewarding. Overall, while the game offers a rich optimization experience, it suffers from technical shortcomings that hinder its performance and user experience.

    • “If you like time management and resource optimization with a delightful Pixar/Ghibli twist, definitely give this game a try!”
    • “The challenge encourages me to find the best recipe possible for the requested potions, and allows me to push myself and measure my performance and understanding of the game!”
    • “Highly recommend it, nice balance between relaxation and high-stakes optimization decisions.”
    • “The game also clearly has memory leaks; performance got worse as time went on, and more than once I had to restart the game to reduce lag.”
    • “It's so annoying and stressful for nothing, and doesn't really make the gameplay enjoyable. While you could explore, talk to characters, and unlock stuff, you have to go for optimization from the very beginning, and it's not enjoyable at all.”
    • “For a game so heavily based in optimization, math, and organization, how is the UI this unorganized?”
  • stability42 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, including graphical issues, sound effects continuing unexpectedly, and occasional crashes that can lead to lost progress. While some users found the experience enjoyable despite these problems, others noted that the bugs could be game-breaking and recommended frequent saving. Overall, while the developers are actively addressing these issues, the game is still considered somewhat unstable at this time.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck, which is why I got it.”
    • “There are no glitches left that I have encountered, and the dev added expanded filters which help greatly.”
    • “It's not buggy or unfinished; there are just some major inconvenient systems in the game that need improvement.”
    • “And that leads onto my biggest problem: this game is a buggy mess.”
    • “It's a cute game with engaging gameplay but is riddled with game-breaking bugs, glitches, and softlocks that prevent progress.”
    • “Enjoyable game with surprising difficulty, however it is currently pretty buggy so save often as dialogue and travel options often lead to freezes.”
  • atmosphere41 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charm, engaging characters, and captivating music, creating a cozy and immersive experience. Many players appreciate the high-quality art and sound design, which contribute to a lighthearted and magical vibe, although some express frustration with the gameplay's time constraints that clash with the intended relaxed atmosphere. Overall, the game's aesthetic and emotional depth resonate strongly with players, making it a standout feature despite some gameplay challenges.

    • “A good deck builder/store management game that compensates for simple mechanics with charming characters, captivating atmosphere, and fantastic style.”
    • “Complete with a rich and expansive world, characters you learn to love and deeply care about with rich backstories, some of the most atmospheric and catchy music I've heard in a game since Undertale, and an enthralling story that will leave you shocked and delighted.”
    • “The game has an awesome atmosphere, a masterfully produced soundtrack, and a cool and intuitive card dueling mechanic that works for most selling in the game.”
    • “I initially bounced off it because the hardcore time management stuff didn't quite match the cozy atmosphere and aesthetic - but with the new 'cozy' difficulty, the dissonance is no longer here.”
    • “The game's atmosphere and gameplay loop are in completely different dimensions.”
    • “The game falsely creates the atmosphere of a casual sim game where you can build affection tiers with the various characters and customize your shop, only to elbow drop you on day 10 with an unannounced opponent stacking you with debuffs and a permadeath ending.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is multifaceted, offering players various ways to spend in-game currency on ingredients, shop upgrades, advertising, and hero expeditions, which can create a complex management experience. While some players appreciate the depth and strategic choices available, others feel overwhelmed by the numerous systems and daily tasks required to progress. Overall, the game balances fun and challenge, though it may not cater to those seeking a more relaxed gameplay experience.

    • “By the time I was preparing for my third competition, I had 3-4 cauldrons that I always wanted brewing something, 6-7 pages of ingredients that I not only needed to choose from to brew things, but also needed to stay on top of keeping stocked up as I brewed and used them. I generally wanted to visit and speak to/gift each NPC every day, while I was out I needed to consider hanging out with people to rank up with them and get new cards. I needed to make sure all my garden pots were running, consider actually running the store for 2 time slots to make more money, and ensure I wasn't missing out on a quest at the guild that would get me new ingredients. I needed to send out (or not) 3 different heroes on their own adventures (and make sure they were properly stocked with potions), consider whether or not I wanted to pay for an advertising campaign for my shop, whether or not I wanted the shop enchanted, and was completely ignoring the aging casks I'd bought because an extra 10-15% markup wasn't worth adding another thing to my day-to-do.”
    • “There are also display shelves, shop upgrades, enchantments, advertising, fuel for the fire, custom orders, and daily events to worry about.”
    • “Ingredient effects (e.g. bad smelling), custom orders, enchantments, advertising, monster hunting expeditions, ingredient duplication via 'slimes', etc. take up a lot of space in the game's ecosystem, but I didn't end up using them literally at all, and it didn't feel like I was behind in any respect.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

16hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
6-29hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 35 analyzed playthroughs

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