Recent reviews by kneenar

Democracy works

I did spend an entire day playing, but I wouldn't say I enjoyed my time.

The biggest thing for me personally, is the drink creation and drink deployment system. At the moment, there is NO incentive to learn new ingredients and create new drinks. I made one ♥♥♥♥♥♥ drink (like espresso and tabasco sauce with peanut butter? idk) to cover each demographic to cover all my bases (sometimes less than that since some drinks satisfied 2 demos), then spent exactly zero time "improving" the menu. If I were to create a classic cafe drink (espresso, steamed milk, foam art) then called it a Cappuccino, no-one would "like" it, which means no-one would buy it. It was reduced to me picking random ingredients (see above) until the most demographic bars turned green. Additionally, I would create something like a Starbucks-monstrosity with icecream and peanut butter and chocolate, then the children did NOT like it?! What child wouldn't want icecream and whipped cream and chocolate everywhere?!
Don't get me started on the weird liquid ratios and cup sizes. Having an espresso in a demitasse is absolutely a drink to sip in a cafe, and shouldn't be only preferred by "businesspeople". Making a classic cafe Latte (espresso, steamed milk, little bit of foam) in a mug that fits the drink is impossible, and noone would order it anyway so there isnt even a point. All of the cup sizes are generally too big, so aesthetically it doesn't look right. Adding foam art to any drink immediately reduces the little bars on the bottom so why tf would anyone include art on their drinks?

Basically, the whole drink creation system (which in my opinion is the whole point of the game) needs a revamp to make it worth it. Otherwise, it's just a mini-Sims game with less furniture options and no way to woohoo in the bathroom (lol).

I do have other points mostly to do with Employees job preferences (being able to assign which employee is working the till and which is working the espresso machine) and janky customers but tbh that doesnt bother me as much as not being able to make and sell classic Cafe drinks. The weird ingredients are A Choice but there is no incentive to use them and no incentive to make any further effort beyond making as much money with as little effort as possible to just buy every stupid thing to decorate your cafe with.

Anyway, as the game currently sits, it's fine, I just don't think it has longevity or replayability. If these mechanics are different in the full game when it's released well then that would be a win!

If you haven't been exposed to anybody with a mental illness, this may give you an idea of what they may be going through.

Definitely worth a play.