It’s tough out there. Some would give an arm and a leg just to be able to own their own business! Luckily for Sylvia, she won’t have to resort to amputating any of her limbs just yet. All she has to do is fix up the potion shop she has inherited from her deceased uncle, turn profits from the potions she brews, and pay off the $1,000,000 she somehow now owes. Easy, right? Developed by Voracious Games and published by XSEED Games and Marvelous USA, Inc., Potionomics has a little bit of everything. It’s got a captivating story, fun characters, deck building, and it’s even a dating sim. Entertaining and bordering on addicting, not only would players have to carefully plan their time within the game but will also need to keep an eye on the clock. Playing 3 hours of Potionomics feels like only 30 minutes has passed in real-time.
It’s a good thing that a wise owl lives in the shop to help Sylvia as her inexperience is very adamant within the first five minutes. If this aspiring potion maker wants to become the best that Rafta has to offer, she has a lot to work on. Learning to haggle well is an artform. It will be the key to Sylvia’s survival as the better she haggles, the better she can price her potions. Befriending the local characters such as Quinn the Merchant, or Mint the Adventurer, will help Sylvia obtain better cards to add to her “haggling deck.” The better her options, the more likely she is to succeed in sweet talking herself to paying off those debts.
Although, the ultimate goal is to pay off what owed, it is also beneficial to invest in good quality ingredients and equipment. Better cauldrons and display shelves are certainly worth the coins as not only would your customers be scrambling to get in, Sylvia would have a better chance at winning each competition round. With a potion brewing competition every ten days and fierce competitors, Sylvia will have to find time to ensure she is constantly brewing her next winner.
Investing in allies is will also worth the time. Play your cards right and not only will Sylvia earn discounts from the unique characters she meets, she may also find some romance. Unfortunately, not all characters will be as welcoming to Sylvia’s presence as others may find her a threat. There really is no rest for a young entrepreneur, after all, running a business is no romantic walk in the park.
The most vital thing to remember in Potionomics is time management. The first 10 days are relatively easy as the only errands Sylvia needs to track are her brews, adventures she sends Mint on, and the quests from the guild. However, with more upgrades, advanced equipment, and characters to charm, there’s not enough hours in the day to get everything done. In the end, players will need to decide and prioritize their goals if they want to succeed. Accomplish this, that $1,00,000 will be paid off in no time. Losing a competition round; Sylvia will have a lovely cardboard box house with a sunroof.
PROS: Fantastic graphics, fun characters, good music and sound effects, and interesting plot.
CONS: Time in the day is too limited; sometimes it’s too much to keep track of in one time.
SCORE: 7/10
Potionomics is available for PC for $24.99 via Steam.
Related: Reviews by Vivian Chen
Video games have always been a huge influence in my life and have definitely shaped me to who I am today . Some of my best memories growing up were the many adventures and stories I was able to experience and become immersed in. If my hands aren't either covered in clay, typing, editing, creating, or helping shoving food in my mouth, they would either be gripped to a controller, tapping away at the screen of my phone, or clicking away on my PC. I am always up for trying something new because why live just one life when you can live many.
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