The Lost Art of Innkeeping

About

"The Lost Art of Innkeeping" is a time management simulation game where players run and manage their own coastal inn. Serve customers, fix up rooms, and expand the inn while dealing with challenges like bad weather and equipment breakdowns. The game offers a charming, seaside atmosphere with a variety of guests to meet and serve.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 99 reviews

story18 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Charming and engaging gameplay with a delightful story and witty dialogues, making it a hidden gem among indie games.
Relaxing and addictive experience with a cozy atmosphere, allowing players to focus on inn management without the stress of combat or complex mechanics.
Good replayability with multiple endings and achievements, providing a satisfying sense of progression and exploration.

Short playtime, with some players wishing for more content, quests, and depth in the story.
Gameplay can become repetitive over time, and some mechanics may feel simplistic or lacking in variety.
Limited character customization and diversity, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of romantic options and varied character backgrounds.

story
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
51%
7%
The game's story is described as charming and engaging, featuring multiple endings, twists, and a cute narrative that unfolds naturally. Players appreciate the integration of quests and achievements, which enhance the overall experience, though some express a desire for more depth and additional side quests. Overall, the story is well-received for its heartwarming elements and intriguing mysteries, making it a delightful aspect of the gameplay.
- “A really exciting and fun story that has multiple endings and twists!”
- “I really liked the story and the natural way it unfolded.”
- “The story and sub-plots also fit in nicely, giving you lots of secrets to uncover and stuff to do, even with decent choice and consequence and different outcomes.”
- “Feels like a point-and-click adventure with how quests are handled.”
- “I wish the story had a bit more depth and that there were a few more side quests.”
- “You just meet new characters but so far you don't really get any new requests from them that play into the overall story.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
35%
18%
The gameplay is a charming blend of time management and resource allocation mechanics, offering a relaxing experience without combat. Players appreciate the engaging innkeeping simulation, simple yet addictive mechanics, and the delightful interactions with quirky characters. While the challenges may not be complex, the overall design and progression keep the gameplay enjoyable and accessible for a wide audience.
- “It's amazing that a small RPG Maker game can give me the satisfaction of time management/resource allocation gameplay that other games couldn't.”
- “The core innkeeping gameplay is fun, and there's lots to see and do.”
- “The gameplay is quite addictive.”
- “While new game+ exists, there's very little gameplay/story difference.”
- “While none of the game mechanics or story puzzles are particularly complex or challenging, everything is presented in such a charming way that you can't help but adore it.”
- “If you're looking for casual, funny, and repetitive gameplay (if you don't mind the hassle), then you should definitely try this game out.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The graphics of the game are characterized as simple and reminiscent of standard RPG Maker aesthetics, which some players find nostalgic and charming, while others view it as a drawback. Despite the basic visuals, many appreciate the cute art style and relaxing vibe, which contribute to the game's addictive and enjoyable experience. Overall, the graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia, though some players express a desire for updated visuals in potential future releases.
- “Highly addictive and extremely nostalgic graphics.”
- “No combat, chill mechanics, beautiful art style, and a bunch of cute and simple characters.”
- “A neat little game with cute graphics, relaxing vibe, fun management mechanics, and an interesting hidden story.”
- “The graphics are standard RPG Maker, which is not its strong suit.”
- “I debated buying this for a long time because while I was intrigued by the concept, I was turned off by the graphics.”
- “Tl;dr: I'd say if you can stand RPG Maker aesthetics for one more game, then let it be this one.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Reviews indicate that the game minimizes traditional grinding activities such as combat, farming, fishing, and mining, focusing instead on a more relaxed innkeeping experience. While some players appreciate the simplicity and cuteness of the gameplay, others find the lack of engaging challenges leads to a tedious and boring experience.
- “In addition to no farming, there is no fighting, fishing, or mining either.”
- “Instead of finding these set-backs challenging, I found them tiresome...tedious...boring.”
- “It's just cute, and as simple as Stardew Valley, but 0 farming because innkeeping > farming.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, the game offers good replayability due to its multiple tasks and layers that encourage players to explore different choices and outcomes. While some users feel the replay value is limited, many appreciate the opportunity to hunt for achievements and enjoy the game again, especially given its affordable price.
- “A nice little affordable game with replayability.”
- “Replayability looks good as there are many tasks that are not easy to achieve the first time through the game, as you are learning how the game works.”
- “There are more layers to the game than meets the eye and there is absolutely replay value for the second time around in terms of making different choices to see the outcomes, and in hunting achievements.”
- “I can't see much replay value, but it is worth the $5.”
- “There are more layers to the game than meet the eye, and there is absolutely replay value for the second time around in terms of making different choices to see the outcomes and hunting achievements.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring funny writing and adorable character sprites that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the blend of exploration, quirky NPCs, and a lighthearted narrative, making it a casual and enjoyable choice despite its repetitive gameplay.
- “I really enjoyed the game, lots of humor to be had and a unique idea.”
- “The character sprites are adorable, the writing is funny, and the mystery narrative is predictable, but fun.”
- “This one combines exploration, combat-free quests, funny NPCs and a mysterious backstory with simulation/management mechanics to let you fix up and develop an inn (as the name would suggest).”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a heartwarming story that unfolds as players manage a hotel and uncover secrets. With its cute and wholesome aesthetic, it offers an engaging experience that resonates with players, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a touching narrative.
- “The perfect game for people who like to discover secrets and an emotional little story while managing a hotel.”
- “If you are looking for a cute, wholesome, and interesting game to lose yourself in for 4 to 8 hours, I'd recommend this one for sure.”
- “It is heartwarming and adorable, and I have really liked the story and the art.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for its catchy tunes and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, contributing to a relaxing experience. Reviewers appreciate how the music complements the engaging storyline and evolves with the game's increasing complexity.
- “It has a nice story, and the atmosphere and music make it a relaxing experience.”
- “Nice storyline, nice music, easy to pick up and resume where you left off, gets more complex as you progress into the game.”
- “Music is catchy too.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The character development is praised for its appealing designs and the opportunity for players to unlock numerous achievements, enhancing the overall engagement with the characters.
- “The character designs are lovely, and there are many achievements to unlock that enhance the experience.”
- “The depth of character development keeps me engaged, as I uncover their backstories and motivations.”
- “I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each interaction feel meaningful.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers suggest enhancing the monetization aspect by incorporating a more complex system, such as requiring players to post advertisements in a newspaper, to add depth and engagement to the experience.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its relaxing qualities, enhanced by a compelling story and soothing music, creating an immersive experience for players.
- “It has a nice story, and the atmosphere and music make it a relaxing experience.”