| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| People's Choice | #33 | 3.862 | 3.862 |
Ranked from 29 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
I was one of the official judges this year, and now that the results have been made public, and I'm free to do so, here is my score and thoughts on this title:
Overall score: 8.5
Lovely little pawn shop/store sim game, but lacking in features and variety. I really liked the art and the story, but I felt that the game itself was incredibly repetitive. Still, it was a cute story and I really enjoyed it. I'd hope to see this expanded on to make a fuller, more varied game.
Hey there Caz, I got your game for judging so here are some of my thoughts. Your art was lovely to look at and the music you chose worked perfectly. The story itself was fun, and Phina's responses to everything (including the ending after she took her jacket off) were great. The idea of running a pawn shop was really exciting since I love games like that, so I was a bit disappointed that running the shop itself was pretty limited. The button mashing minigame was a neat idea, but I wish there were other minigames since my poor wrist was aching by the end of the game.
The lack of changes in most of the NPCs disappointed me. I know filling a full week with different dialogue options is time-consuming, but even if they had one or two other things to say depending on the say it would have felt more like a living village. As it was, I ignored everyone but Sparrow and Maggie after the second day which made the village feel tiny.
Overall, this was a fun little game! I just wish there were a few more changes from day-to-day, but I'm sure the contest deadline forced you to cut some ideas. I saw that you're hoping to release a post-jam build, I'm looking forward to that!
I got assigned this game for round 3 of the IGMC. First, congrats on getting to round 3! Here are my thoughts on the game.
The idea of having the shop and cleaning artifacts was a neat idea, then searching for clues in the evening. However I feel like it needed more. The town really had 2 people I could interact with that had changes to what they said. The others the dialogue never changed at all that I could see. Also wasn't sure what the point to the shop was given how getting the ending depended on me just being sure to talk to someone every day. Was there another way to win the game based on the shop? If so I missed it. And does G even matter in this game? I never felt like it did except to make sure I had enough to buy the next day's item.
Overall I feel this is a neat idea, and with a little polish to connect the two sides of the story more would make a great game. Good job again on getting to round 3, and hopefully the feedback will help you to improve it and make it even better.
A really charming game, with an amazing artstyle that made the experience really immersive!
The entire game is a relaxing experience, I particularly loved the buying and cleaning stuff thing to get money! Even exploring the city was really nice, even if I wanted more interactions even with the lesser NPCs!
The two minigames are really cute, but I wished that with the passing of the days (or rarity of the item) they would get harder.
Still, I think I missed the point of having a lot of gold, except for the NG+
Congratulation for your work! The love for the game really shows!
I played it in english specifically to give you direct feedback, here is the vod! ^_^
Tried the game. It’s truly a charming one, the “Oh! How much time is passed?” time, so…yes, it works and it’s addicting.
So, what are the problems?
On morning, I choose the junk with most stars, then spam the four keys in the afternoon, then chopping 100 weeds and talking with people around.
The game loop can really be improved, I should be more careful when buying junk, I had too much money for deciding if it was good or not. Also, can you put QTE on the minigame in the afternoon? And…I would have preferred a bit more of events around.
For the rest, awesome music, awesome graphics and it should really be in a high place. Congratulations!
It was a fun brief visit to a quaint little town. Each aspect of gameplay was very game jam appropriate, from the brief story, to the quick and easy mini games. I skipped weeding most days since it was a bit of a chore. If I had access to some of those New Game + upgrades during the first run, and if there were some explicit connection of the gameplay to the ending, that might have made it a bit more rewarding. Instead it felt like the gold, polishing, and pawn shop were things I was just tricked into when I could just had a beer 7 nights in a row and won. I enjoyed my time though!
I ordered a cute game about revival, no tomatoes, and I got a walking (admittedly very attractive) tomato as a main character. (i wonder how many people will see this without context and think im insane haha)
Very cute and funny game. It feels like a love letter to Harvest Moon, maybe a little Animal Crossing as well. Finding joy in doing, well, not much but menial tasks. Fear not, for I am a fan of this style myself.
The art is very good. The character design is top notch. The tiles were lovely. The only issue I saw was the trees were a bit small in comparison to everything else (they still looked wonderful, especially the different colors)
The story is a very brief thing that does not particularly mean much, but it's cozy. The ending I got was very silly. At first I was like "whaaaaat" then I laughed. It honestly fits the light nature of the game.
The polishing mini game likely could have used about half the amount of times you need to press the arrows to complete it, but it didn't remotely bother me personally. I kind of wish the antique mechanic was for a larger game that's more simulation and less time limit-y. It was still cute.
The music was, I said this word before already and I'll say it again, cozy. The town theme could have fit for a Harvest Moon autumn theme, which is usually the best Harvest Moon season. o:
This is one of those games that reminds me, whoa, RPG Maker CAN do simulation games, likely VERY WELL.
I just finished VX Ace and moved on to the ones that came out after this year, so I am whole heartedly fascinated how well this game played in the browser. What a great option.
I had a good time playing this. Best of luck. :tomato emote:
My thoughts while playing the game.
+ = I liked it
- = I didn't like it
* = Neutral/suggestion
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+ Nice bold, readable font
+ Pleasant music for the title screen
+ Purple background instead of black for the intro exposition. It's a nice little touch.
+ Big, bold pictures.
+ I love how you're introducing the mechanics up-front.
* Aww, but I don't want to buy that item! It's so low-value!
+ Heh, the polishing minigame is like a clicker game with arrow keys. It's a clever idea.
+ It's cool that you got the characters and buildings to display in such large proportions
- It makes moving around the town kinda hard though since I can's see as far as I'm used to. If feels just a little too limited.
+ 8-direction movement sprites!
* Are they entirely necessary? Maybe not, but they're a cool feature all the same.
+ MZ characters in Caz style!
+ I appreciate that the people have self-switches so I don't have to go through a long string of dialog on a second interaction.
+ There aren't too many people to talk to either - keeps things from going on too long.
+ The weeding minigame is a delight.
* That's uh...a funny pose for the ritual! The way the pixels work out it looks like she has one eye half open!
+ Ahaha it's that kind of situation, eh?
* Though I have to wonder: are there different endings? If not, then why did I do any of the things I did along the way...?
- Aww, I wanted to see what happened afterward!
+ Oh cool, a new game+ feature!
* I have absolutely no time for it.
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Summary
This game is beautifully illustrated and I'm impressed by the zoom-in that's maintained throughout the game. The game loop is a fairly straightforward one with a minigame or two off the main path. I also caught hints of other gameplay elements that may have been planned and scrapped as I wandered around the town. There's a heartfelt story with a bit of mystery that managed to fool me at the end.
My biggest concern is over the ending: did my actions have any effect on the ending? It's not clear if there are multiple endings and I'm not sure if there's a point in playing the NG+ mode. If my performance during the game didn't make any difference it kinda detracts from the experience.
It's otherwise a well-put together game with some unique mechanics and a good story. Nice entry, Caz!
Back then, I enjoyed several things in playing this game. As has already been said, it is a very "contemplative" and relaxing game, habitual but in a positive sense, because it makes you step into the role of the protagonist and makes your imagination fly a bit.
I think you hit the theme of the contest well, in particular I appreciated the New Game Plus as it was justified by the plot (with some little gems like the upgrades).
In short, nice, well done.
I really like the graphics, especially the customized sprites in different movements, a little less the portraits, not so much for the similar faces but for the bust that seems a little too small compared to the face. Maybe it was a choice of style, but let's say that given the realistic style of the faces it makes me a little out of place.
I loved the alternative mechanics, from the shop, to cleaning and weeding plants. I loved that Farmer slacker and hated that fool who minded my own business while I just wanted to go out and get killed in the night xD
Very nice Maggie story too, I think the game gives what it promises
[SPOILER] I have two endings, the one where Maggie lends us the amulet and the one where Phina does the ritual by herself. Cute!
Very cute game, albeit a bit repetitive, but I totally get running out of time to add things like varied NPC dialogue! Still a lovely little experience. :)
Nice work, Caz! I made a first impression video playing it, if you want to check it out:
I enjoyed this!
A bit repetitive, and a few more NPCs to interact with could have been fun. But overall I did have a fun time playing. :) The humour was fun but not sure why I *warning spoilers* couldn't interact more with the red haired dude after hearing about a thief.
I really enjoyed this Caz! I will admit, I was a little confused what to do at first. The first minigame I thought I had to press the arrow keys in a certain order but I figured it out. Once I got in to town I wasn't sure what to do either at first but again figured it out quickly.
Side note: I loved the ending! That was hilarious where Phina found it. :D
A really charming game, Caz! The aesthetics are phenomenal and the overall pacing is pleasant and relaxing. I love how the jam theme is also in restoring items, giving them new light. :D I add myself to the others who would like more NPCs to interact, that's because it's a game so well done that you want to experience it more! <3
This game makes me remember childhood memories with the feel atmosphere and music. This game design is really nice, like so much with the concept and music. Good job.
Fun concept, nice minigame and an excellent artstyle and music. Well done! (Maybe a bit laggy on the browser)
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