Sticky Business
- July 17, 2023
- Spellgarden Games
- 6h median play time
Sticky Business is a charming sticker business sim that sees you creating and selling your own sticker designs. If you're a fan of cozy games like Unpacking, you'll love this.
"Sticky Business" is a creative game where you can design and sell your own unique stickers, combining dozens of elements to create cute and quirky collections. Optimize your production and pack orders for customers, while hearing about their stories and experiences. Purchase upgrades to expand your graphic and effect options for an even more exciting shop.
Reviews
- Charming and cute art style with a lot of creative freedom in sticker design.
- Relaxing gameplay that allows players to unwind while fulfilling customer orders and reading their stories.
- Engaging customer storylines that add depth and emotional connection to the gameplay.
- Repetitive gameplay loop that can become tedious after a few hours.
- Achievements are locked behind paid DLC, making it difficult to 100% the game without additional purchases.
- Limited customization options for stickers and packaging, which may frustrate players seeking more creative control.
- story585 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by charming, short narratives that unfold through customer interactions, with each character sharing their lives and experiences as players fulfill their sticker requests. While many players find these mini-stories heartwarming and engaging, the overall storyline is considered brief, leading to a sense of repetitiveness once completed. Many hope for future updates to expand the narrative content, as the existing storylines, though sweet, can feel limited after a few hours of gameplay.
“A well-paced game for that cozy feel, short stories about how your business is helping certain characters, and, if you pay attention, they tell you little bits about themselves or others in their life that you need to do to complete their storylines.”
“The gameplay loop is very simple and the little story bits are very charming and add a lot of character to the universe.”
“The little storylines are interesting, and fun to get creative with pre-made pieces.”
“Overall, it's a very simple game; the storyline isn't complicated, and it's something you can zone out with, but this lack of complexity leaves me only going to it as a pre-sleep boredom game.”
“The story is cute but very short, and the game post-story is a sandbox where the game stops trying to amuse you, and that job falls on your shoulders.”
“The main 'story' is very short, and after it becomes fulfill orders, with no real interactions between you and the customers.”
- graphics282 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their cute and colorful pixel art style, creating a charming and inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the variety of customization options for sticker creation, which allows for creative expression while enjoying the soothing visuals and accompanying music. However, some users note that the graphics can be overly bright or repetitive, potentially leading to visual fatigue over extended play sessions.
“The graphics and concept of this game are very cute, but I think I'm just not artistically creative enough to get full enjoyment out of it.”
“The graphics are undeniably adorable.”
“The graphics are incredibly cute and the game is very entertaining for such a simple concept.”
“However, as much as I adore the aesthetic, after a while, the relentless cuteness can start to feel a bit overwhelming.”
“It is very bare-bones and though the art may look aesthetically pleasing, to call this much of a game isn't really it.”
“The other issue that really stopped me from playing is the graphics are way too overly saturated to the point of giving me a migraine.”
- gameplay275 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this game is characterized by a simple and repetitive loop focused on designing and fulfilling sticker orders, which can become monotonous over time. While it offers a cozy and relaxing experience with charming visuals and customer stories, many players find the lack of depth and progression limits long-term engagement. Overall, it appeals to those seeking a low-stress, creative outlet, but may not satisfy players looking for more complex mechanics or challenges.
“The gameplay is easy to pick up and the combinations are endless - I'm a completionist and I'm excited to unlock every combination and get everything done!”
“It strikes the perfect balance between cute and engaging, with a relaxing and satisfying gameplay loop.”
“The gameplay loop is really nice and the way that everything is unlocked is nice and not too grindy.”
“The gameplay gets repetitive fast; there are customers with specific requests (story mode), but those get boring eventually too.”
“The gameplay is very repetitive and gets boring quite quickly.”
“Overall, if I could describe this game in a phrase it would be 'charming but barebones'; the UI, sound design, writing, and music are all good and praise-worthy, but the gameplay lacks depth and the cycle of days gets boring quickly.”
- emotional267 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players highlighting its cozy, wholesome storytelling and heartwarming customer interactions. Many reviews mention feeling genuine emotions, including joy and nostalgia, as they engage with the touching narratives woven throughout the gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create a relaxing and fulfilling experience that resonates deeply with players, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a comforting escape.
“I genuinely got emotional with some of the stories, which is rare to get that kind of reaction out of me.”
“The stories of the clients are so cute, and this is just a wholesome good time.”
“I was not expecting to cry at some of these customer stories, but I cried.”
- music228 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and cozy atmosphere, enhancing the overall gameplay experience with soothing soundtracks and satisfying sound effects. However, many players note that the music becomes repetitive over time, leading some to prefer listening to their own playlists instead. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's charm, a desire for more variety in the music is a common sentiment among reviewers.
“The chill, vibey soundtrack perfectly complements the cozy gameplay.”
“The soothing soundtrack and pleasant art style perfectly complement the relaxed pace of the game.”
“The music is relaxing, the comments from the customers are kind and interesting!”
“The one annoying thing is that there is only one song on loop (the trailer music), so either prepare to develop an earworm or turn the music off in settings and turn on your own playlist.”
“My only complaint is I wish there was a bit more music variety; the track that plays nonstop is catchy but maybe 1 or 2 more tracks would help it blend better!”
“The music seems to be just one lo-fi track on loop the whole game, which got old really fast.”
- grinding112 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially when trying to unlock all stickers and achievements. While some enjoy the therapeutic nature of the grinding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, particularly due to the cumbersome organization of stickers and the slow accumulation of in-game currency. Overall, players suggest that while the game is cute and cozy, it can become excessively grindy, especially for completionists.
“The gameplay loop is really nice and the way that everything is unlocked is nice and not too grindy.”
“To be able to purchase more customization options for your stickers/orders, it also takes a lot of grinding repetitive gameplay that, frankly, isn't all that fun to me.”
“The only big issues I have with the game is that it quickly becomes grindy when you're looking to unlock more stickers with hearts.”
“I will say that the 'unlock every sticker' achievement requires too much grinding.”
- humor41 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as both subtle and engaging, with players finding amusement in the quirky interactions and backstories of their customers. Many reviews highlight the joy of creating funny and cute stickers, often leading to humorous scenarios that blend creativity with lighthearted storytelling. Overall, the game offers a therapeutic and entertaining experience, making it a delightful escape for those who enjoy art and humor.
“Very cute little game where you can basically run your own Etsy sticker shop and make ridiculously stupid and funny designs.”
“It's wholesome - and despite the sticker images being premade, it really gives you a lot of stuff to work with to be creative and make stickers that you think are funny or cute.”
“It was very funny that these people are asking you about serious family advice and all you can do is drop a candy and maybe an extra sticker in there as a 'sorry, hope all goes well!'”
“I know Steam reviews are supposed to be funny or copy-pasta or whatever, but this game is legit one of the only things holding me together after the worst possible month of my life.”
- replayability33 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to creative options and engaging mini-stories, while others find it lacking after completing the main content. Many appreciate the potential for replay through DLC and sticker combinations, but some feel that the game becomes monotonous and less engaging over time. Overall, it seems that while there are elements that encourage replay, the experience may diminish for those who prioritize narrative progression.
“This game shines in its replayability, offering a mix of creativity and small-business management.”
“Endlessly replayable with countless sticker combinations.”
“The stories are wholesome, there's lots of different unlockables, it's generally a lovely, fun game with lots of replay value.”
“Without it, I don’t find the game replayable when I’m done serving the customers with stories.”
“I do believe that Sticky Business is not the most replayable game, as the main engagement for me was the mini stories of the regulars, and after completing the stories, there aren't any further communications from them.”
“Great storytelling, really cozy and fun for the first 4-ish hours, but gets monotonous and lacks replayability.”
- atmosphere19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Sticky Business" is widely praised for its relaxing and cozy qualities, enhanced by soothing music and charming visuals. Players appreciate the game's inclusive environment and find it to be an ideal space for unwinding and engaging in light-hearted management gameplay. The combination of bright colors, pleasant soundtracks, and a laid-back vibe creates a delightful escape that encourages creativity and relaxation.
“With its cozy visuals, soothing music, and laid-back gameplay loop, Sticky Business is a great game for unwinding and de-stressing.”
“The game’s relaxing atmosphere and endearing graphics create a perfect escape for anyone looking to unwind and engage in some light-hearted management.”
“Its enchanting art direction and soothing music create a delightful atmosphere that’s ideal for unwinding.”
“I for once think there is a lot of potential here for a more complex management style game, but this might be contrary to the laid-back casual atmosphere the creators clearly were going for, so I get why it wasn't implemented to a higher degree.”
“If there was a way to swap between even just 3-4 other tracks, it would really add to the atmosphere.”
“The gameplay loop and use of music has that 'let's forget the world and heal in ultimate comfort' hypnotizing-yet-cozy atmosphere that unpacking has.”
- stability8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, user experiences with stability vary; while some report smooth gameplay without glitches, others have encountered issues such as crashes and freezing when attempting to load save files. The game generally runs well on various systems, but there are isolated reports of bugs that can affect gameplay.
“No glitches, smooth gameplay that is fun and never gets boring.”
“Runs great on my MacBook Air.”
“I love this game so much; however, my computer just crashed. When I went back on, I accidentally clicked 'New Game' instead of 'Continue.' I still have the save file from the last game, but when I click on it, it just brings me to the tutorial and freezes when I try to make a new sticker.”
“I failed like 3-4 times and had no idea why, which started to make me wonder if maybe it was a bit buggy.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game performs smoothly with no major performance issues, though the user interface could benefit from some polish for better navigation. While the sound design is decent, some players feel that the game lacks depth in planning and optimization, making it a more relaxed experience without significant challenges.
“The game runs smoothly, and the sound design is decent.”
“It runs smoothly and it's a very relaxing game!”
“No major performance issues, but the UI needs polish for smoother navigation.”
“It didn't affect my store's performance; there's no rating, and it didn't affect messages from customers. It was all just... numbers.”
“You don't really need to do any planning, and you don't really need to do any particular optimization to ensure you never lose.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is viewed as better than typical in-app purchases, but it includes in-game ads and overpriced DLC. While the game features a watermark on its content, players appreciate the ability to create custom advertisements for their store, akin to designing their own stickers.
“The monetization model is much better than typical in-app purchases.”
“I appreciate that the game offers fair pricing for its premium content.”
“The game strikes a great balance between free content and optional purchases.”
“Plus, it promotes ads in-game and has overpriced DLC.”
“It comes with a watermark of the game title attached to it, but I think it's more than deserving of the advertisement if you do anything with these stickers.”
“Also being able to design advertisements for your store just like you design your own stickers!”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the character development in the game, particularly through the order emails, which keep the experience engaging. However, there is a desire for additional features, such as creating custom pixel designs and purchasing user-made stickers, to further enhance personal expression within the game.
“I love how you see character development through the order emails. It's so hard to get bored in this game.”
“The character development is really engaging, and it keeps me invested in the story.”
“The way characters evolve throughout the game adds depth and makes the experience more immersive.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth; I expected more from the storyline.”
“I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with them.”
“There are moments where character growth is hinted at, but it never fully materializes, leaving me disappointed.”
Critic Reviews
Sticky Business Review – A Cozy Way To Spend The Day
While there is not much in the way of gameplay, Sticky Business brings out the joy of being able to freely create.
70%Sticky Business review – Relaxed and refined
is a cute and creative take on the desktop simulator genre, allowing players to get out their best ideas using pre-made stickers. The game is as cute as it looks and its ability to run so well creates such an adorable experience that’s really easy to lose yourself in. While it’s pretty shallow, it’s also exactly what it promises to be and does a good job of doing it.
85%Learn To Run A Small Shop
Sticky Business is a great cozy store management game where you have the freedom to test out your creativity by designing your own stickers. The charming customers in-game have their own personalities and it's hard not to develop a connection with them. This is a must have especially if you're a Twitch streamer as you can play this game to bond with your viewers.
80%