I find it hard because I generally want to recommend these types of games. But I'm struggling to recommend Potion Permit because the best description I can come up with is "Charming yet dull and tedious."

Pros:
Excellent pixel art - If you enjoy pixel art styles then the art speaks for itself.

Straightforward game play - If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck. There's no surprises here.

Contained story - Games like this where inspiration could be seen coming from Stardew Valley with more open ended story aspects (Goal X, now do whatever you want as you work towards it) this game has more of a linear experience.

Cons:
Difficulty - Or specifically, lack thereof. The most challenging aspect of this game is it's combat which is more annoyance then challenge.

Repetitive & tedious - The various things to do in the game quickly become very repetitive. Each day boils down to the following:

First wake up, if the alarm is going off go treat the sick townspeople in the clinic.
Second, go out and farm what you need (potion mats, wood, stone).
Third, return to town and hit the bathhouse (takes 2hr of clock but fully heals and energizes you)
Fourth, go back out to farm. Once out of energy return to town and talk to villagers to increase reputation. Spend rest of the time fishing (which doesn't require energy)
Fifth, go back to the house and craft potions to sell to the capital for money.
sixth, go to sleep and repeat after the game saves.

Sprinkle in the occasional towns people event or linear progression event and you've got the game. It quickly becomes boring. Especially with how much grinding is required to get much of anything in the game and to progress.

Boring - The town itself isn't lively and honestly pretty boring. Every event is tied to either story progression (unlocking areas etc) or villager reputation progression. There's no large scale town events. No calendar system to really tell how much time is passing.

Have I gotten my money's worth? Yes by sheer hours. I feel like much of the games grind like nature could be reduced which would cut the play time down but would be a more enjoyable experience. As it stands once I fully complete the story (which I will shortly) I don't expect to ever play the game again without some massive changes (which are unlikely). Honestly, pick it up on sale if you like games of this type. But it's not what I expected in both good and bad ways.

I find it hard because I generally want to recommend these types of games. But I'm struggling to recommend Potion Permit because the best description I can come up with is "Charming yet dull and tedious." Pros: Excellent pixel art - If you enjoy pixel art styles then the art speaks for itself. Straightforward game play - If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck. There's no surprises here. Contained story - Games like this where inspiration could be seen coming from Stardew Valley with more open ended story aspects (Goal X, now do whatever you want as you work towards it) this game has more of a linear experience. Cons: Difficulty - Or specifically, lack thereof. The most challenging aspect of this game is it's combat which is more annoyance then challenge. Repetitive & tedious - The various things to do in the game quickly become very repetitive. Each day boils down to the following: First wake up, if the alarm is going off go treat the sick townspeople in the clinic. Second, go out and farm what you need (potion mats, wood, stone). Third, return to town and hit the bathhouse (takes 2hr of clock but fully heals and energizes you) Fourth, go back out to farm. Once out of energy return to town and talk to villagers to increase reputation. Spend rest of the time fishing (which doesn't require energy) Fifth, go back to the house and craft potions to sell to the capital for money. sixth, go to sleep and repeat after the game saves. Sprinkle in the occasional towns people event or linear progression event and you've got the game. It quickly becomes boring. Especially with how much grinding is required to get much of anything in the game and to progress. Boring - The town itself isn't lively and honestly pretty boring. Every event is tied to either story progression (unlocking areas etc) or villager reputation progression. There's no large scale town events. No calendar system to really tell how much time is passing. Have I gotten my money's worth? Yes by sheer hours. I feel like much of the games grind like nature could be reduced which would cut the play time down but would be a more enjoyable experience. As it stands once I fully complete the story (which I will shortly) I don't expect to ever play the game again without some massive changes (which are unlikely). Honestly, pick it up on sale if you like games of this type. But it's not what I expected in both good and bad ways.