Tavern Master

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,144 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Tavern Master Game Cover
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Tavern Master is all about managing your medieval tavern. You start with a very small room, couple of benches and tables and build your way up to a huge successful tavern with a kitchen, rooms for guests, group of loyal staff and much more!

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,144 reviews
gameplay99 positive mentions
story20 negative mentions
  • Tavern Master offers a fun and relaxing gameplay experience, perfect for casual gamers.
  • The game features a charming medieval theme with enjoyable graphics and sound design.
  • Players can customize their tavern extensively, allowing for creative expression in design.
  • The game becomes repetitive and grindy in the late stages, with little to do other than wait for research to complete.
  • There are limited options for customization and decoration, which can lead to a lack of variety in gameplay.
  • Some mechanics, such as the research tree and staff management, feel underdeveloped and could benefit from more depth.
  • gameplay359 mentions

    The gameplay of this game is characterized by its simplicity and ease of understanding, making it accessible for casual players. However, many reviewers noted that it lacks depth and becomes repetitive over time, with mechanics that can be easily exploited, leading to a grind in the late game. While the charming graphics and relaxed atmosphere are appreciated, players expressed a desire for more complex mechanics and challenges to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is captivating, offering a perfect blend of resource management and crafting, while constantly presenting interesting challenges.”
    • “Building your tavern from scratch, serving quirky patrons, and managing resources create a vibrant and enjoyable gameplay loop that keeps you engaged for hours on end.”
    • “The engaging gameplay, simple but well-designed graphics, and the opportunity for creative expression make this game a must-play for fans of simulation and strategy genres.”
    • “There is no challenge at all once you understand the mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay lacks depth and the few management abilities there are won't have much impact on the outcome.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive.”
  • graphics196 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet charming, with a low-poly aesthetic that enhances the medieval theme. While some players appreciate the cute and cozy visuals, others criticize them for being basic or lacking detail, often comparing them to retro styles reminiscent of older games like Runescape. Overall, the graphics are considered acceptable for the gameplay experience, with a focus on accessibility and performance rather than high-end visuals.

    • “The graphics are simple yet stylish for what it wants to be.”
    • “The graphics and art style in Tavern Master effectively transport you to a medieval world, enhancing the overall ambiance and immersion.”
    • “The graphics are charming and have a lot of character, and the sound design is excellent, with ambient background noise and lively chatter from your guests.”
    • “Sadly, this one has no love for details, a huge lack of content, and terrible graphics.”
    • “The graphics are sterile and blocky.”
    • “The graphics leave some to be desired, and the menus don't look great.”
  • story182 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it feels repetitive and lacks a coherent narrative. While there are quests that provide some structure and rewards, they often feel arbitrary and do not contribute to a meaningful storyline, leading to a grindy experience. Players express a desire for more creative freedom, additional plots, and engaging story elements to enhance the tavern management experience.

    • “This game also includes quests which adds a layer of excitement and purpose to your tavern management endeavors, and it allows you to tackle these quests however you want.”
    • “Excellent quests that make sense within the gameplay for a tavern, and just really really fun.”
    • “I do want to see more from the game, like a storyline maybe explaining why you're building a tavern, maybe small plots or mini games for the adventurers you hire to retrieve rare ingredients.”
    • “The game has virtually no story, just tutorials teaching you mechanics.”
    • “There's no storyline, which the game could benefit from a little, perhaps as a way to lead into the events you will eventually hold at your tavern.”
    • “With not much of a storyline and characters with little personality, the focus of this game is to run your tavern serving drinks and food.”
  • music177 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its charming medieval atmosphere and relaxing quality, enhancing the overall experience. However, many players express frustration over the repetitive nature of the soundtrack, wishing for more variety and additional tracks to prevent monotony during extended play sessions. Despite this, the music is often described as catchy and enjoyable, contributing positively to the game's cozy ambiance.

    • “The game's soundtrack deserves a special mention for adding to the overall charm.”
    • “The music is delightful (a bit repetitive, but I personally don't mind that), the people are fascinating, and the tavern is surprisingly customizable so far.”
    • “The music is great, though, and I enjoyed the core mechanics as well as the six or so mechanics that are added over the course of the game.”
    • “It would be nice to have more than one soundtrack on the music since the same track is always on repeat.”
    • “The music can get old quick, as there only seems to be one song and it is on repeat.”
    • “After playing the game for a few hours, I am most definitely not going to play it with music on again ever.”
  • grinding102 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the early stages are engaging, the experience becomes increasingly tedious and repetitive as they progress. By the late game, players often find themselves stuck in a cycle of grinding for unlockables and achievements, leading to a lack of satisfaction and enjoyment. Overall, the game is described as relaxing but can feel excessively grindy, particularly in its final third, which may deter those who prefer more dynamic gameplay.

    • “Very fun and not too grindy.”
    • “Balanced, easy to learn, not too grindy and also seems not to be overloaded by bugs, like the 'Crossroads Inn'.”
    • “Tedious and grindy, especially in the final third of the game.”
    • “After going through two-thirds of the tech tree, it gets really boring and tedious.”
    • “Ultimately, it turns into a very grindy game, where you're just clicking through the days and the events just to see what is next on the research tree.”
  • replayability77 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits limited replayability, with many players noting that it becomes repetitive and lacks depth after a relatively short playtime of around 10-25 hours. While some enjoy the strategic elements and find moderate replay value in trying different tavern designs or modes, the consensus is that the game could greatly benefit from additional content and customization options to enhance long-term engagement. Many reviewers express hope for future updates to improve replayability, but currently, it falls short compared to similar titles.

    • “I boot this up time and time again, so replay value I'd say is moderately high if you're into economy games.”
    • “It offers a lot of depth and replay value, and it is very satisfying to see your tavern grow and prosper under your management.”
    • “The devs have something special with this game, and if it continues to get updated, I can see a game with massive replayability.”
    • “As a result, the game is simple and enjoyable, but really way too basic, not a lot of replayability because it gets boring at the 'endgame' around 10 hours in.”
    • “There's no real challenge and no replay value.”
    • “The downfall is there is not really any replay value which kind of sucks since it only takes about 10-15 hours to beat.”
  • optimization43 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting smooth performance and no significant issues, while others experience severe lag and performance drops, particularly on macOS and in late-game scenarios with high NPC counts. While the developers have made strides in optimizing the game, particularly for PC, there are still notable areas for improvement, especially regarding staff management and overall midgame performance. Overall, the game shows potential for better optimization, but current performance varies widely across different systems and play styles.

    • “With fewer NPCs on the road and lower graphics settings, the performance definitely improved.”
    • “Optimized very well, with no sudden frame drops or stuttering.”
    • “It's enjoyable to build up your little business from a tiny pub to a full three-story facility with multiple bars, kitchens, hotel rooms, etc. It is also fairly well polished; everything works well, and I didn't encounter any bugs. The game systems are well thought out, and there have been no performance issues even with 250+ guests in the tavern.”
    • “Once you have 400-500 seats in your tavern, performance begins to suffer.”
    • “I'd be happy to play, but the Mac optimization sucks.”
    • “My greatest frustration with it is that the performance is rough.”
  • atmosphere38 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming pixel art style, engaging sound design, and a lively, medieval tavern setting that creates a cozy and immersive experience. Players appreciate the delightful graphics and relaxing gameplay, which together foster a light-hearted environment perfect for casual management. While the overall ambiance is well-received, some users express a desire for more customization options and improvements in user interface elements to enhance the experience further.

    • “From the moment I started playing, I was hooked on the charming graphics, engaging gameplay, and overall delightful atmosphere.”
    • “The tavern gets noisy as it fills with patrons and the indiscernible chatter carries a rather light-hearted atmosphere of people socializing and enjoying themselves.”
    • “I have been addicted to this game ever since I bought it on release; it has an old school nostalgic atmosphere with lots of options on how to create your own idea of a medieval/fantasy tavern.”
    • “Really doesn't match the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Pretty basic on the charm, customization, atmosphere - would love to see those areas expand.”
    • “While the charming graphics and immersive sound design enhance the overall atmosphere, it's worth noting that some UI elements can be improved to enhance user-friendliness.”
  • stability36 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting a generally smooth experience with minimal glitches, while others encounter frequent bugs, crashes, and control issues. Many users appreciate the lack of major gameplay-breaking glitches, but some still experience occasional freezing and minor graphical artifacts. While some players find the game enjoyable and well-made, others express frustration with its stability, indicating that improvements are needed.

    • “The game works with no glitches.”
    • “It is not buggy and runs smooth.”
    • “It's pretty well made, not very buggy at all.”
    • “I genuinely enjoy the game, however graphical glitches, artifacts, and constant crashing hinder what can otherwise be an extremely fun game.”
    • “It's buggy and crashes frequently.”
    • “Just be aware that crashes and freezes do happen.”
  • humor19 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the funny characters, cute animations, and amusing scenarios, such as knights fetching cheese. While some found the humor to be a delightful distraction in a management setting, others noted that it could benefit from more comedic elements. Overall, the game offers a light-hearted experience that balances humor with gameplay, making it enjoyable for those seeking a fun, slow-paced adventure.

    • “An addictive balance of constant, changing goals and steady expansion that rewards endless efficiencies tinkering in a humorous and pleasant late medieval setting.”
    • “I strongly recommend this game to those players that want a slow-paced, funny experience with management and a tavern-like atmosphere, because it serves as a soft distraction if you intend to do something else meanwhile.”
    • “The animations are precise and funny; you can just sit back and enjoy looking at what they are doing.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    Reviews indicate a mixed perception of monetization, with some players expressing concerns that the games resemble cash grabs, utilizing mobile game mechanics to extend gameplay without actual microtransactions. While there are unskippable ads in the main menu, the absence of in-game purchases is noted, leading to a feeling that the monetization strategy relies on artificially lengthening playtime rather than traditional monetization methods. Overall, players are wary of the potential for exploitative practices despite the lack of direct financial costs.

    • “All these systems seem a lot like mobile games but without the monetization issues, just the dumb systems for you to click.”
    • “Are there concrete plans to enhance and advance these games, or is there concern about them being another instance of a quick cash grab through a Steam Workshop asset swap?”
    • “In fact, it felt exactly like a mobile game - hooking you in with something fun then making you watch ads over and over again to get access to another tiny slither of content.”
    • “Tavern Master comes heavily equipped with typical mobile-like systems that, in the absence of in-app purchases, only really exist to pad length.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game is praised for its wholesome and relaxing atmosphere, offering a gentle and enjoyable medieval experience complemented by great music and solid mechanics. Players find it emotionally uplifting and fun, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a lighthearted gaming experience.

    • “The game is wholesome, fun, and relaxing.”
    • “If you want a gentle, fun, wholesome medieval time, look no further.”
    • “It's wholesome, fun, has great music, and is well built with great mechanics!”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is praised for its variety and appealing designs, especially given that the game is created by a single developer. This attention to detail enhances the overall experience and adds depth to the characters.

    • “The character designs are varied and impressive, especially considering there is only one developer behind the game.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making each interaction feel meaningful.”
    • “The depth of each character's backstory adds so much richness to the gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

11hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
9hMain story
17hCompletionist
7-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 74 analyzed playthroughs

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