Hey there traveler, do you like innkeeping? Growing out fields, engaging bandit encampments, defending against zombies, scavenging, delivering meals? Well, then tally along in the business, along with your 3 other friends to invite.
I don't know if there's a Discord server for this, I'll probably join one later for Ale & Tale Tavern. For the remainder of my time, I played it alone, just to get a good grasp of how I run things around. As basic as the production value is, there's an interesting amount to do here. Also, I kind of miss playing Sea of Thieves for some reason. Resub to Game Pass again?
This isn't going to blow people's minds out, let them mindlessly spend hours frolicking around, and I wish it wasn't this restricted early on. Yet, just like the aforementioned title, personality, charm, good sense of discovery, and good gameplay loop made it somehow work.
Not the most robust of features, but can't complain, the customs look dope and then silly at times. It's good that developers know where to insert humor in here often. Especially if I let my man here wear drapes, with some no sleeve clothing, and a prominent vest.
This is in the main menu, though, and it's never permanent. I can join any game with however they'll look. But yeah, getting to the start of the game, I was greeted by a merchant before my tavern, showing me the ropes, also it's easy to afford good voice actors these days. Sadly, I have to interact with his machination to buy instead of him. I make that mistake so many times.
Also, there's no holding my hand and freebies to start, I have to spend whatever gold I have on me to afford groceries, items, and furniture. That can easily be earned back once I figure out the economy and earning aspects. Oh, no worries, my nearby store clerk guided me through all of it easily,
A lot of menial tasks in first-person view, like setting up the kitchen, tables, all on a limited first-floor spacing. There are 4 doors locked out until I progress. And then finally, I can flip the signboard to open, and customers role in. Speaking fantasy gibberish. But their thought bubbles say food. I'm only serving Ale and Barley Porridge since that's what available on the menu.
No resources? No problem, just select which is available to serve. Should be easy, just buy the ingredients, make the food, take the water from the well. What else isn't the problem. IT"S EVERYTHING OUTSIDE THAT! Man, talk about progression walls. This isn't just your normal tavern serving game, and that's because I have to do a lot of other things to ramp up my business. But I'm getting there at a snail's pace, plus imagine delivering food without good weapons for defense.
At one point, I was tasked to look for corn seeds, and stumble onto a camp fool of orcs? You know what I did? I ran my a** out. All I had was an axe, and maybe not take the risk of breaking it, encountering a number of them. But I got my seeds, and made haste. To be honest, the whole carrot on the stick of this is levelling up, earning much as possible to go further than the merchant.
I really like the art style and design, the gameplay loops aren't that exhausting, no worries there's variety, like also having to fix the food appliances with a hammer. But damn it, man, you're frustrating me by showing how much of it is locked away. It's obviously designed to work better in co-op.
So yeah, I can also do orders that earn me 4 times the amount, it's for the average Joes out there pulling their own. It involves traveling, avoiding encounters, especially with hogs, seeing the world, and getting the damn fast as possible before the timer runs out. I do like multiple same time.
Is it any better? I run out of stock for food faster serving in the tavern, there are drunks I have to push out with my broom, plus I lose the plates and mugs in the process. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that too, I can't serve food without either, and they have to be washed out as well. See? So much gameplay variety, and lots to do. Including a Scarecrow teaching me to plant crops, and grow out those corn seeds. For some reason, he has cravings for the zaza, I'm in enough trouble as it is.
Also, the sad case of the map is that it is not procedurally generated. Then again, in these tough times, no one is asking for it yet. Could be a nice thing, just saying. It's simple when it comes to inventory, rewards, exploring, but I wasn't wrong about the charm, you'll like these guys. Trust me.
Furthermore, I had a zombie coming in, attacking me, my so called patreons did nothing about that. You know what? Y'all don't deserve rights, either. You know how horrifying this experience was? Hell, I didn't even know my axe could kill outside chopping wood. And I lost health, had to buy a potion. Another time money going down the drain. Ugh. Now I'll never get my auto dish cleaner.
You know what else, I am going to join that Discord group. Have my way this game or the normies ruin it. But company is fun no matter what. And I believe this one makes it work. Also, I really want to play Sea of Thieves and Fable again. Instead, I can make due with the story missions here. There's plenty more, including finding apple from trees, exploring dungeons even.
In its basic, medieval fantasy form, childish sorts even, it's pretty, pretty, pretty good. You can even tag along your kids, no worries, even the character models look sort of cartoonish enough to be inappropriate. I don't know about the blood, though, and fear of overwhelming possibilities.
