The Hidden Art of Innkeeping
- September 3, 2024
- SeaPhoenix
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."
Reviews
- The game offers a cozy and charming experience with delightful characters and engaging storylines.
- Gameplay is simple yet satisfying, allowing players to manage an inn while completing quests and interacting with villagers.
- The sequel builds on its predecessor with improved mechanics, more content, and a relaxing atmosphere that encourages exploration.
- Some players found the initial complexity overwhelming, making it difficult to fully enjoy the story on the first playthrough.
- While the game is enjoyable, some felt it could become repetitive over time due to its cyclical gameplay loop.
- A few reviews mentioned that the RPGMaker graphics might deter potential players despite the game's charm.
- story31 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as charming and feel-good, centered around managing an inn while interacting with villagers and completing various quests that enhance both the gameplay and narrative experience. Players appreciate the balance between a simple yet engaging storyline and the opportunity for character development through choices, with many enjoying the cozy atmosphere and the ability to explore different outcomes. Overall, the narrative is praised for its positivity, depth, and integration with gameplay mechanics, making it a delightful experience for fans of casual, story-driven games.
“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.”
“Fantastic game with a charming storyline and an endearing cast of characters who have their own stories too.”
“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 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.”
“The pacing of the story is fast enough to keep you entertained and hooked, not wanting to put it down.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics and decision-making, offering a blend of management and RPG elements that enhance the innkeeping experience. Players appreciate the improvements and new features, such as customizing dining menus and the addition of long-term quests, which provide depth and replayability while maintaining the charm of the original game. Overall, the gameplay loop is enjoyable, with a focus on guest interactions and incremental upgrades that keep players invested.
“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 gameplay and story of the game are 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!”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
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 engaging storyline and encourages replayability.
“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!”
“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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a blend of humor and heartwarming moments, evoking genuine laughter and emotional responses, including tear-jerking scenes that resonate deeply with players. While it may not have the same emotional impact as some competitors, its charm and relatable moments make it a standout experience.
“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 I saw the formerly grumpy, down-on-her-luck gardener joyful.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's music is praised for creating a calming and pleasant atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience without becoming repetitive. While it may not be memorable long-term, it effectively contributes to the game's cozy vibe, with particular appreciation for the outdoor tracks.
“The music of the game, while it didn't stick with me long after finishing, provided a calming experience without feeling repetitive or out of place.”
“This game really nails a comfy vibe with its pleasant art, cute characters, and soothing music.”
“The music is very nice; I really like the tracks they use for the outside - I could have it playing all day.”
“The music of the game didn't stick with me long after finishing, and while it provided a calming experience, it felt somewhat forgettable.”
“The music, while soothing, lacked the depth and memorability that would elevate the overall experience.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, citing the inclusion of achievements and enhanced gameplay mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs. The polished experience and improved instructions also contribute to a more engaging and enjoyable return to the game.
“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.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features an appealing seaside setting that exudes charm and a comforting atmosphere, contributing to its unique concept and overall immersive experience.
“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.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable and rewarding, describing it as a fun and cozy experience that appeals to achievement hunters without feeling tedious or exhausting.
“The grind feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I found the grinding mechanics to be tedious and unfulfilling, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“After a while, the grind became a chore rather than a fun challenge, leading to burnout.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as a delightful blend of cuteness, hilarity, and heartwarming moments, often surpassing that of its 3D competitors. Players find it genuinely enjoyable and entertaining.
“It's an entertaining mix of cute, hilarious, and heartwarming that I've honestly enjoyed more than many of its 3D competitors.”