TCG Card Shop Simulator: Prologue

About

"TCG Card Shop Simulator: Prologue" allows you to manage a trading card game shop, selling booster packs and card boxes to earn money for upgrades. Host card games, maintain a clean store, and collect cards from booster packs to sell or complete your collection. This is a limited version of the full game, with only common cards and limited items available.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

TCG Card Shop Simulator: Prologue screenshot

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,762 reviews

gameplay22 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game is highly addictive and provides a fun experience for fans of trading card games.
The ability to open card packs and collect cards adds a unique and enjoyable element to the gameplay.
The game has a charming aesthetic and a relaxing atmosphere, making it a great way to unwind.

There are bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as freezing and issues with customer interactions.
The game can become repetitive after a while, especially with limited content in the prologue.
Some players have expressed frustration with the lack of a save system and the inability to transfer progress to the full game.

gameplay
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The gameplay is generally praised for its simplicity and addictive mechanics, particularly the card collection and shop management elements, which provide a satisfying experience. While some players find certain mechanics, like the deodorant spray for customers, unnecessary or tedious, the overall loop remains engaging and offers a good amount of content for a demo. Many reviewers express excitement for future updates and the potential for more depth in the full release.
- “The gameplay is smooth, and the overall design of the game is top-notch.”
- “The variety of cards, customer interactions, and shop customization options keep the gameplay fresh and interesting.”
- “While still in development, this TCG card shop simulator beta offers hours of engaging gameplay.”
- “The customer spraying mechanic is very fiddly and wholly unnecessary in this game, and the customer models lack any sort of character.”
- “The only negative thing for me is the stinky spray mechanic; it's just busy work that I really don't want to bother with, but you lose out on sales if you don't.”
- “However, as a gamer, it's very interesting and has a ton of potential; however, the gameplay at this moment feels stale and repetitive after a little while.”
graphics
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
67%
11%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming artwork of the cards and the overall aesthetic, while others criticize the simplistic and bland visuals, particularly the NPC designs. Many users note performance issues, such as lag and crashes, especially at higher settings, indicating a need for optimization. Overall, while the card art is a highlight, the general graphical quality is seen as lacking and in need of improvement.
- “The different artworks of the cards were a highlight, and I would say if you like the prologue, you should try the full version.”
- “I don't usually play demos, but this game has quality graphics and decent music being played; it has the feel of going into a local game shop.”
- “The basic mechanics work, the visuals are nice, the card opening and overall look is great, and seeing the foiled ones on a bigger screen gives a lot of happiness for the soul.”
- “The graphics could use some love (especially the NPCs).”
- “The graphics are bland to say the least.”
- “Thank god it has a demo because the graphics are poor; in the whole city, there are only 6 types of people.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky mechanics, such as spraying deodorant on smelly customers, which players find both hilarious and relatable. Users appreciate the funny interactions with customers and the amusing card-opening experience, contributing to an overall enjoyable and addictive gameplay atmosphere. The blend of humor and engaging mechanics keeps players entertained and eager for the full release.
- “I can see myself becoming a little addicted... it is fun to create your own shop the way you like and funny little interactive quirks with customers.”
- “Having to use the deodorant spray on stinky customers was hilarious.”
- “The gameplay is very fun, the deodorant spray mechanic is hilarious, the card opening is satisfying and the card designs are nice.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
36%
27%
The music in the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating its quality and immersive feel, likening it to the nostalgic tunes of Animal Crossing. However, there are calls for more variety, such as the inclusion of a radio feature or the ability to play custom music, to enhance the overall experience. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the ambiance, players desire more options for personalization.
- “I don't usually play demos, but this game has quality graphics and decent music being played; it has the feel of going into a local game shop.”
- “The game's music and environment are immersive, with vibrant colors that make the experience visually pleasing.”
- “Enjoying it so far and the music is vibing!”
- “Also... not gonna lie, the music sounds like Animal Crossing's general store music.”
- “- It'd be nice to have some kind of radio or way to play music.”
- “I hope there will also be other music playing in the background, and I also hope there will be ways we can play the card game too.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
Overall, players express significant concerns regarding the game's optimization, noting high CPU and GPU temperatures during gameplay, stuttering issues, and a general need for performance improvements. While the game's concept is praised, many reviewers emphasize that without better optimization, the experience is hindered.
- “Great game, can't wait for the full version. Hope for more optimization because while playing, my CPU temperature gets really high.”
- “Only complaint I have is that it needs a lot of optimization; as soon as you hit start new game or continue, it starts overheating my graphics card.”
- “Great game, can't wait for the full version. Hope for more optimization because while playing, my CPU temperature gets so high.”
- “Interesting game, but there definitely needs to be some improvement to the controls and optimization.”
- “Only complaint I have is that it needs a bunch of optimization; as soon as you hit start new game or continue, the game starts cooking my graphics card.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The reviews indicate that the game lacks a significant story, with players expressing a desire for a narrative element that could enhance the experience, such as motivations for buying the store or rivalries. Despite this, some users found the gameplay engaging enough to continue playing beyond the main missions. Overall, the absence of a compelling story is noted as a missed opportunity for deeper engagement.
- “I usually do not play these types of games, but I started and could not stop. I finished all the current missions and still played an extra few days.”
- “A story mode or something that hints at why we bought the store, whether we wish to collect them all, host a huge tournament, or have a rival store owner that challenges you to matches.”
- “The great start! I will definitely buy it once it's out.”
- “No story.”
- “A story mode or something that hints at why we bought the store, do we wish to collect them all, host a huge tournament, or have a rival store owner that challenges you to matches.”
- “You can sell plush and other bits, and that's cool, but it would be nice to have a story that ties these elements together.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
63%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow and tedious, particularly noting that it mirrors the mobile version's grind-heavy mechanics, which can be overwhelming. While managing a video game/card store can be enjoyable, it often requires significant effort and time investment, leading some to feel that it demands more commitment than they can afford. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a major drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- “You can open the card packs for some cards, but doing so is just slow and tedious.”
- “This game has a mobile version, and the Steam version seems to take the grinding style from mobiles and brought it here, which is just not good.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been a significant concern for users, with frequent freezes and crashes reported, particularly when starting a new game or opening card packs. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, they note that bugs can disrupt gameplay, though many are manageable with a reload. Overall, the game is still in early access, leading to some tolerance for its stability problems.
- “When I press new game, it freezes and crashes the game. I restarted my computer, reinstalled the game, did everything.”
- “Game just freezes when trying to open a card pack.”
- “Addictive but the cursor needs to be larger and it would be nice if the packs opened quicker; still buggy and often freezes after opening a pack.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Reviewers note that while the game has potential for replayability, particularly through its unique market mechanics, it could benefit from additional customer interactions to enhance this aspect further. Overall, there is optimism about future content that may increase replay value.
- “For a game like this to have that extra nugget of replayability, I think there needs to be more stuff with customers.”
- “For a game like this to have that extra nugget of replayability, I think there needs to be more interactions with customers.”
- “Although it may appear similar to other first-person simulator games, it stands out with its unique replayability and active market for buying and selling singles.”
- “I’m looking forward to seeing what the full game will offer, as the current content hints at a lot of potential for replayability.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The monetization aspect of the game focuses on enhancing player experience through various customization options, such as storefront decorations, advertisements for new card sets, and the ability to personalize elements like signs and lighting. These features encourage players to invest in their in-game environment, potentially driving additional revenue through microtransactions.
- “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money on decorations and advertisements just to keep up.”
- “It's frustrating that to fully enjoy the game, you have to constantly invest in new card sets and storefront customizations.”
- “The constant bombardment of ads and the need to purchase in-game items detracts from the overall experience.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by a lively and authentic retail environment, enhanced by the strategic element of setting prices and the interactive experience of customers playing card games at the tables. This combination creates a fun and engaging setting for both sellers and buyers.
- “The ability to set your own prices and sell individual cards to customers adds a layer of strategy, while the option for customers to play card games on the play table creates a lively and authentic atmosphere.”
- “It is a fun retail store in a unique atmosphere.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game shows potential but could benefit from improved NPC walking paths and a wider variety of character designs. Overall, players find the game enjoyable and easy to grasp, indicating a positive reception despite these areas for improvement.
- “The character development is incredibly engaging, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters as their stories unfold.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, each with their own unique arcs that keep me invested in their journeys.”
- “The depth of character customization and growth really enhances the overall experience, making each character feel unique and relatable.”