The Hidden Art of Innkeeping

About

In "The Hidden Art of Innkeeping," players help Elinor renovate a farmhouse into a successful inn while uncovering secrets about the village and its inhabitants. Along the way, they'll meet unique guests, configure rooms, and manage inn operations to repay a mysterious tycoon by the end of the month. The game features recruitable villagers, hidden treasures, and a colorful cast of characters, building upon the world of "The Lost Art of Innkeeping."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 88 reviews

story22 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game is charming and cozy, providing a delightful experience with engaging characters and a lovely story.
Gameplay is satisfying with a good balance of management and exploration, allowing players to interact with guests and complete quests.
The sequel builds on its predecessor with more content, improved mechanics, and a sense of progression in both the inn and the village.

Some players found the increased complexity and additional tasks overwhelming during their first playthrough.
While the game is enjoyable, some felt it lacked the emotional depth of the first installment.
There are concerns about potential repetitiveness in gameplay as players cycle through managing guests and completing tasks.

story
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The game's story is praised for its charm and positivity, featuring a cozy narrative that revolves around inn management and community interaction. Players enjoy the engaging quests and character development, with choices that can influence outcomes, enhancing replayability. Overall, the story is described as simple yet heartwarming, making it a delightful experience for those seeking a casual, story-driven game.
- “A heavy recommendation for those looking for a cozy management simulator with a feel-good story about bringing people together, and watching your surroundings grow as your establishment also grows.”
- “From start to finish, Hidden Art tells an enjoyable and positive story that it's hard not to leave without a smile.”
- “If you like story, this has a simple one, but the characters in the game are cute and you can see a few little side stories depending on your actions.”
- “The gameplay and story of the game is very similar to the previous game, and those that have played it and enjoyed it will find that same enjoyment here with new challenges.”
- “The overall story of not only working on improving your inn but helping the village and uncovering the secrets you find along the way left me so happy.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
69%
8%
The gameplay is praised for its engaging management mechanics, offering a blend of familiar elements from the previous installment with new features like customizable dining menus and long-term quests. Players enjoy the day-to-day interactions with guests, the incremental upgrades to the inn, and the charming visuals, all contributing to a fun and replayable experience. Overall, the game successfully combines simplicity with depth, making it accessible yet rewarding for players.
- “Great bite-size life sim that offers a surprisingly good chunk of gameplay for such a small, contained adventure.”
- “I love the gameplay loop from getting up and talking with the guests to making sure their rooms are set up right, to checking them in and out.”
- “The characters are endearing, the gameplay is fun, and the visuals are charming.”
- “The gameplay and story of the game is very similar to the previous game, and those who have played it and enjoyed it will find that same enjoyment here with new challenges.”
- “Mechanically, you'll spend the day making sure your guests have everything they want, broken up by some RPG fetch quests.”
- “The added gameplay tweaks and new characters help it feel fresh, but it's also amazing catching up with characters we know!”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The graphics are described as charming and cozy, with endearing characters and a delightful aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. Despite being created with RPG Maker, the visuals are considered a hidden gem that complements the game's engaging storyline and encourages replayability through various decorative options. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's nostalgic and inviting atmosphere.
- “The characters are endearing, the gameplay is fun, and the visuals are charming.”
- “Cozy graphics with a wonderful storyline that calls back to the lost art of innkeeping.”
- “Don't let the RPG Maker graphics fool you, this game is a gem!”
- “I warmly invite you to look past the RPG Maker graphics and give this hidden gem of a management adventure a chance.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a blend of humor and heartwarming moments, often eliciting laughter and even tears from players, particularly during poignant scenes. However, some reviewers feel it lacks the deeper emotional impact found in other titles, despite its overall charm and entertainment value.
- “It's an entertaining mix of cute, hilarious, and heartwarming that I've honestly enjoyed more than many of its 3D competitors.”
- “I laughed out loud quite a lot, and there were some genuinely heartwarming moments. I actually teared up when [spoiler]I saw the formerly grumpy, down-on-her-luck gardener joyful[/spoiler].”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's music is praised for creating a calming and soothing atmosphere that complements its pleasant art and characters, enhancing the overall comfy vibe. While it may not be memorable after gameplay, it effectively avoids repetition and fits seamlessly within the game environment, with some players expressing a desire to listen to it continuously.
- “The music is very nice; I really like the music they use for the outside - I could have it running all day.”
- “The music of the game provided a calming experience without feeling repetitive or out of place.”
- “Similarly, the music of the game, while it didn't stick with me long after finishing, provided a calming game experience without feeling repetitive or out of place.”
- “This game really nails a comfy vibe from the pleasant art, the cute characters, and soothing music.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
Players find the game highly replayable due to the inclusion of achievements and enhanced gameplay mechanics, which build on the previous installment. The polished experience and additional instructions contribute to a fun and engaging replay value, encouraging users to return for more.
- “Quite fun, same concept as the previous installment with more polish, better instructions, and enhanced gameplay and replayability.”
- “All the achievements also add replayability, and I am looking forward to playing more!”
- “Quite fun, same concept as the previous installment with more polish, better instructions, and increased gameplay and replayability.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features an appealing seaside setting that exudes charm and a comforting atmosphere, creating a unique and inviting experience for players.
- “The seaside setting is appealing and there is a lot of charm and atmosphere.”
- “It's nice to see a unique concept and a comforting atmosphere permeates this game.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable and rewarding, particularly for achievement hunters, as it feels engaging rather than tedious or exhausting. The overall experience is described as cozy and satisfying, enhancing the game's management elements.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on Linux, similar to its prequel and other RPG Maker titles.
- “Just like the prequel and many other RPG Maker games, this game also runs smoothly on Linux.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized as a delightful blend of cute, hilarious, and heartwarming elements, which many players find more enjoyable than that of its 3D competitors.
- “It's an entertaining mix of cute, hilarious, and heartwarming that I've honestly enjoyed more than many of its 3D competitors.”