Potionomics
" Addictive narrative-driven RPG shop simulator with deck-building and charming art, but late-game overload "
Potionomics Review
Potionomics is a unique blend of potion brewing, deck-building, shop management, and dating sim elements, praised for its charming visuals, outstanding voice acting, and an engaging soundtrack. Players appreciate the deep integration of gameplay mechanics that offer both relaxing and challenging experiences, with a well-crafted cast of characters and a cozy yet strategic atmosphere. The deck-building and bartering mechanics add a fresh twist to the shopkeeping genre, making the core gameplay loop addictive and satisfying.
However, some players find the late game tedious due to the overwhelming number of ingredients and potions, leading to decision paralysis. Randomness in ingredient drops and some balancing issues with custom orders and potion-making bonuses have been noted. The UI and inventory management could benefit from quality-of-life improvements, and loading times have been criticized. Despite these flaws, the overall experience is highly rewarding, with strong representation and a heartfelt narrative that keeps players invested.
Highlights
Players especially praise the game's addictive trading minigame, beautiful and unique art style, and exceptional voice acting that brings characters to life. The soundtrack is often described as one of the best in video games, enhancing the cozy atmosphere. The deck-building mechanics integrated with potion selling add depth and creativity, while the diverse and well-written characters contribute to an engaging storyline. The combination of time management and strategic gameplay creates a satisfying challenge that appeals to fans of multiple genres.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the late game becoming tedious and repetitive due to the sheer volume of ingredients and potions, which can overwhelm players. The randomness of ingredient drops sometimes causes frustrating setbacks, especially in competitions. UI issues such as unresponsive buttons, lack of inventory sorting, and absence of a 'submit all' button hinder smooth gameplay. Loading times are frequently mentioned as excessive. Additionally, some players feel the difficulty balance could be improved, with the endgame being too easy for some and too reliant on RNG for others.
Pros
- • Addictive and innovative trading minigame with deck-building elements.
- • Beautiful, unique art style with charming animations and character designs.
- • Outstanding voice acting that enhances character depth and immersion.
- • Engaging and well-integrated storyline with diverse, relatable characters.
- • Exceptional soundtrack that perfectly complements the cozy atmosphere.
- • Strategic time management adds satisfying challenge and depth.
- • Smooth integration of multiple gameplay genres into a cohesive whole.
Cons
- • Late game can feel tedious and overwhelming due to ingredient overload.
- • Random ingredient drops cause frustrating RNG-related setbacks.
- • UI lacks quality-of-life features like inventory sorting and bulk actions.
- • Loading times are long and disrupt gameplay flow.
- • Some potion-making bonuses and custom order rewards feel unbalanced.
- • Limited replayability after completing the main story.
- • Occasional voice line autoplay issues and cutoff.
Rating Criteria
You’ve inherited your uncle’s potion shop—and a huge debt. Better get brewing! Customize your store, hire heroes to gather ingredients, befriend (or romance) fellow vendors to learn new haggling strategies, and go head-to-head with competitors in this narrative-driven, deck-building shop simulator.