Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 10,512 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • humor
Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale Game Cover
A shining indie gem, yours for a throat-cuttingly reasonable price. Buy now and well throw in this lovely score for free.
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In "Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale," players run an item shop to pay off a loan, guided by a bossy fairy. Stock the shop through town markets or dungeon diving, set prices, and decorate the store. Multiple adventurers offer unique dungeon experiences in this charming, management-focused RPG.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,512 reviews
gameplay618 positive mentions
grinding318 negative mentions
  • gameplay1,724 mentions

    The gameplay in Recettear is a unique blend of shop management and dungeon crawling, offering a satisfying loop of buying low and selling high while exploring dungeons for items. Players appreciate the charming aesthetics and engaging mechanics, though some find the gameplay repetitive and the dungeon elements less compelling. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive nature and depth, despite some hidden mechanics that may require external guidance to fully understand.

    • “The gameplay loop is insane amazing, the characters are colorful and I will replay this for the fourth time now.”
    • “The battle mechanics are simple yet challenging enough to keep me engaged.”
    • “The gameplay loop of buying/finding/making things to sell in your shop is lots of fun.”
    • “The dungeon crawling/grinding gets tedious, fusion is a tedious mechanic (that you can ignore), the story is basic as hell, the characters are annoying, but if you ignore all that the core shop gameplay is good.”
    • “I wanted to like this game, the concept is neat, but the gameplay is way too repetitive and the cutscenes get irritating after the first go-round.”
    • “The gameplay never changes, nothing becomes more interesting; if you've played for 20 minutes, you've experienced the whole game.”
  • story1,706 mentions

    The story of "Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale" revolves around a young girl, Recette, who must manage an item shop to pay off her father's substantial debt, with the help of a fairy named Tear. While the main narrative is relatively short and straightforward, it is enriched by charming character interactions and humorous dialogue, making it engaging despite its simplicity. Players can explore additional storylines and character development through post-game content, including endless mode, which adds depth and replayability to the overall experience.

    • “The story never takes itself seriously and doesn’t shy away from doing jokes on bad situations, also has a big and colorful cast of characters, most of them playable in the dungeon section of the game, which adds a lot to the charm.”
    • “As she purchases and sells various goods, the player is treated to a richly woven tale of friendship, betrayal, and adventure, complete with lovable characters and unexpected plot twists.”
    • “Recettear is a story-driven shop simulation game with Zelda-style action gameplay.”
    • “The dungeon crawling/grinding gets tedious, fusion is a tedious mechanic (that you can ignore), the story is basic as hell, the characters are annoying, but if you ignore all that the core shop gameplay is good.”
    • “Among other things, this anime in all its bad and good manifestations, the plot and events around are so superficial and secondary that if they were not in the game, nothing would have worsened.”
    • “The story itself is really short, it ends the moment you pay off your last debt; it takes one in game month to complete going through the main story.”
  • humor698 mentions

    The humor in "Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale" is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, featuring a mix of witty dialogue, quirky character interactions, and satirical commentary on capitalism. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted tone, with many finding the writing both funny and engaging, often leading to laugh-out-loud moments. While some humor may feel dated or hit-or-miss, the overall consensus is that the game's comedic elements significantly enhance the enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “With its addictive gameplay, charming graphics, and hilarious humor, it's a must-play for anyone who loves a good capitalist adventure.”
    • “The humor is sometimes side-splitting (capitalism, ho!), the characters are adorably wacky, the plot surprisingly good if you get to the last dungeon, the main shop-running part of the story is surprisingly tough but fun to navigate, and the combat is simple but enjoyable.”
    • “The dialogue is funny and the dungeons hard enough to get through without being too hard.”
  • graphics620 mentions

    The graphics of "Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale" are often described as charming yet dated, with a distinct anime-inspired aesthetic that appeals to fans of retro gaming. While some players appreciate the cute, colorful visuals and pixel art, others note inconsistencies in quality, particularly with enemy designs, and acknowledge that the graphics may not meet modern standards. Overall, the game's visuals are seen as a nostalgic nod to earlier RPGs, contributing to its whimsical charm despite their limitations.

    • “The charming, anime-inspired graphics are a breath of fresh air in a medium that is often overly preoccupied with hyper-realism, and the lovingly crafted pixel art adds a sense of nostalgia that is sure to delight any connoisseur of the retro-gaming scene.”
    • “The game's graphics are adorable, with bright colors and cute character designs that are sure to put a smile on your face.”
    • “Perfect graphics, pixel art doesn’t age so the game looks good even 15 years later.”
    • “Graphics are a little dated.”
    • “Yes, the graphics are aged and lack refinement.”
    • “The graphics are not great, honestly speaking.”
  • grinding326 mentions

    Grinding in the game is a mixed experience, with many players finding it both tedious and repetitive, particularly during dungeon crawling and item management. While some appreciate the charm and simplicity of the gameplay, others feel that the lack of variety and the high demands for resources lead to a frustrating grind. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy grinding mechanics, but it may not be suitable for players who prefer more dynamic or varied gameplay.

    • “Very addictive (in a positive way, not grindy).”
    • “+ Merchant levels make you feel like you're accomplishing something when not grinding dungeons.”
    • “- Leveling is not grindy and happens naturally for the most part.”
    • “The dungeon crawling/grinding gets tedious, fusion is a tedious mechanic (that you can ignore), the story is basic as hell, the characters are annoying, but if you ignore all that the core shop gameplay is good.”
    • “The dungeon grind is tedious and boring, not difficult or challenging in any other way.”
    • “Unfortunately, this gets to be very tedious very fast -- you have to price each item individually for every customer (of which there are only a few types), and can only sell a handful of things each day.”
  • music288 mentions

    The music in "Recettear" is generally described as cheerful, catchy, and fitting for the game's whimsical atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. However, many players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive and annoying over time, leading some to prefer listening to their own music while playing. Despite its charm, the music lacks significant variation, which can detract from long play sessions.

    • “And the soundtrack is just as charming, with catchy tunes that will have you humming along.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't particularly complex, but it's happy and upbeat without being overbearing, perfect for relaxing and enjoying yourself.”
    • “The music is upbeat and helps the game become more enjoyable, the art style is bright and very anime-like, and there is more than enough content in the game to keep someone entertained for a while.”
    • “The music gets repetitive very fast and can even annoy you at times.”
    • “The music is pretty annoying, but at least there's an option to mute it.”
    • “The only bad thing about the game is the music--it's repetitious, so I play with my computer muted.”
  • replayability252 mentions

    The game offers a high level of replayability, featuring various modes such as New Game+ and survival options that extend gameplay beyond the initial completion. Players appreciate the depth of content, including character interactions and item collection, which encourages multiple playthroughs. However, some reviews note that certain aspects can become repetitive over time, leading to mixed opinions on long-term replay value.

    • “This game has serious replayability... in fact, if you only beat it once, then you haven't really beaten it at all.”
    • “The game is very simple to get to grips with but underneath the surface is an impressive depth of complexity and tons of replayability.”
    • “Recettear is a great 2.5D dungeon crawler/shop keeper simulator with a quirky storyline and huge replayability.”
    • “Sure, Potionomics was a nice little treat while it lasted, but its replay value is nonexistent compared to Recettear.”
    • “The game has close to no replayability even with 'new game plus' because the management system is very basic.”
    • “I'd recommend buying it, but definitely on sale for $9.99 or less simply because of how short the game is, and how little replay value it offers in my opinion.”
  • atmosphere94 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a charming and cozy environment, enhanced by customizable shop decor that influences customer interactions. Players appreciate the lighthearted and humorous tone, complemented by cheerful music, though some find the audio repetitive over time. The balance between a relaxing atmosphere and the underlying tension of managing debts adds depth to the overall experience, making it both enjoyable and engaging.

    • “The story is very light and the atmosphere is comfy.”
    • “Charming is a good way to describe the game itself - the characters are adorable and endearing, the gameplay is like a neat mini-game, and the overall atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing.”
    • “Fusing witty humor, easy-to-understand gameplay with surprising hidden depths and an utterly charming atmosphere, it's hard not to love it.”
    • “For a game with such an easygoing atmosphere and a core gameplay loop about optimizing a routine over the course of weeks, Recettear gets ridiculously harsh when it wants to be.”
    • “Sometimes to get the right store atmosphere you have to make some very ugly looking combinations.”
    • “Despite having the shiny atmosphere, the game is also quite challenging with the debts you must pay for the item shop, and you will have to push yourself to ensure your income makes it in time.”
  • emotional86 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming narrative and charming interactions with quirky characters, which evoke a range of feelings from humor to genuine warmth. Players appreciate the balance between lighthearted gameplay and touching moments, making it a memorable experience that resonates long after playing. Overall, the game is celebrated for its wholesome storytelling and engaging character development, creating a fulfilling emotional journey.

    • “The main story cutscenes are fine, but the optional little scenes you can find in-game range from funny to genuinely cute and heartwarming.”
    • “Combine with its heartwarming story scenes, and lovable cast of characters, and it's quite simply a fantastic game.”
    • “Eight years on, I can still recall how profoundly that game gripped me, and I am not an overly emotional person.”
  • character development38 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and growth of individual adventurers, others feel that overall character arcs are lacking and often leave unresolved mysteries. The game offers opportunities for additional character development through side stories and endless mode, but some reviewers find the gameplay tedious, which can detract from the experience. Overall, the charming character designs and engaging story elements are overshadowed by inconsistent character growth and plot execution.

    • “Other than that, it's a fun game with plenty of story and character development, closer to experiencing an ever-growing fantasy world rather than going through a 2D storyline.”
    • “The credits rolling after the beginning stage can be deceiving, as there are at least two complete storylines that can be played through afterwards, with plenty of character development in-between.”
    • “While there aren't many of these side stories in your first run through the game, there are plenty of opportunities to see all the extra side scenes once you complete the game and enter endless mode, where there's a lot more character development and story to unlock.”
    • “While the game has a story, it didn't really do a whole lot of character development and there were some mysteries that seemed to be unresolved by the end.”
    • “The story, on the other hand, feels somewhat original (as original as any story can be nowadays) but there's literally no character development, as in everyone ends up remaining exactly the same, whilst also there seem to be lots of plot holes.”
    • “Long term, however, a lot of the character development and lore-story is unfortunately bound up in this boring gameplay, as unlocking new adventurers and learning most of their backstory requires going through this tedious loop.”
  • stability20 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting a smooth experience free of glitches, while others encounter significant bugs, crashes, and graphical issues. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some praising its performance and others highlighting frequent instability, particularly in certain game modes.

    • “It's bug free and really well made.”
    • “It has a really good balance of ease/difficulty and runs great.”
    • “The game runs very smoothly and runs great while using a controller.”
    • “Unfortunately the game is rather buggy and crashes quite consistently... twice I have had to reset my computer from this game... even though my PC can run all other games just fine, this one seems to have issues.”
    • “1 is terrible overall, buggy, broken graphics, choppy gameplay, no story, steep or non-existent difficulty curve.”
    • “- kind of buggy, mostly in ng+”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The game presents a charming 12-hour optimization challenge where player performance directly influences customer interactions and expectations. While the graphics are not particularly impressive, they are deemed acceptable for lower-end systems, making the game accessible for players with less powerful hardware.

    • “Customer expectations and frequency change based on your performance with them.”
    • “A charming 12-hour optimization problem.”
    • “A fairy 'helps' her and grades her performance as an item shop owner, only to kick her out on the curb if one of the absurd payments isn't met.”
    • “Graphics aren't glamorous but acceptable, which is great for my laptop (not optimized for gaming)!”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization model of the game resembles that of typical mobile idle games but notably lacks advertisements. Players engage in a simplistic haggling mechanic that focuses solely on adjusting numbers, devoid of any deeper interactions or competitive elements.

    • “This is an idle game you'd find on mobile but without the ads, and it's not an idle game.”
    • “Haggling consists entirely of raising or lowering a number; there's no rhetoric, advertising, personal relationships, competition, or offers of throwing something in.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale

Play time

17hMedian play time
39hAverage play time
8-35hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 60 analyzed playthroughs

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