An old joke pokes fun at people getting off work, only to play a video game that involves working. Simulation remain a popular genre of video games. Whether the game literally contains the word “Simulator” in the title or attempts to mimic real-life occupations, these games provide great replayability because the game never truly ends. Once a player completes the main story, the game continues to operate, allowing the player to continue to play and simply focus on the business. Every game boasts varying levels of depth and customization, but for those who seek depth in a simulation game, look no further than Mystia’s Izakaya.
For such a low-price game, Mystia’s Izakaya has so much going on in it. Despite taking place in the Touhou universe, one does not need to have played any other game in the series – this game explains all you need to know, although understanding a character’s gimmicks and characteristics may provide an advantage. Mystia’s Izakaya takes the classic restaurant simulator game and adds multiple other features, such as story progression, gathering outside business hours, building customer relationships, and even a rhythm game during operating hours. Mystia’s Izakaya primarily operates in two phases: gathering hours, and business hours. During gathering hours, you can look for ingredients, or interact with NPCs to progress quests or establish customer relationships. As for business hours, players must first pick a location to open at, the recipes to serve, and what tools/equipment to bring. You can assign assistants to specific tasks, but because customers may order something custom, most players leave assistants to serving duties.
Ignoring the story and lore, Mystia’s Izakaya provides dozens of hours of content in a restaurant simulation game. This game may not dethrone a leader of simulation games such as Stardew Valley, but Mystia’s Izakaya scratches that itch for those looking for a comfy game featuring cooking, gathering, and building relationships.
Honorable mentions:
- Cat Cafe Manager – Another restaurant simulation game, this game has a simple gameplay loop of making profit, and using that profit to upgrade your restaurant to increase your daily profit. However, the game lacks the depth of Mystia’s Izakaya.
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – Ignoring the two major franchises this game portrays, this game provides an excellent single-player experience for those who like action-adventure games.
- HunterX – This indie Metroidvania game contains some Souls-like elements. While one can complete the game in a few hours, the low price tag matches the game’s length.
A Punk, A Camera, and An Empty Stomach 