Potionomics

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. RPG Fan
    Oct 18, 2022
    74
    At the outset, I was raving about Potionomics. I had modest expectations going into this title, given its cartoony aesthetic and cliché plot, but I love fantasy-based shopkeep games like Recettear, so I gave it a go. Again, I could not believe just how complex and deep the varied systems flowed together. Building a deck based on relationships I made was always exciting, just as seeing the interest increase with each sale was. Unfortunately, the bag of tricks emptied halfway through this fifty-hour investment, leaving me eager to exit the whole affair.
  2. Hey Poor Player
    Oct 20, 2022
    70
    Potionomics is bubbling over with personality — in fact, this may just be the most charming game I’ve played all year. It has so many elements blended beautifully together that would make many different types of gamers happy. With some UI tweaks to highlight critical information to players when its desperately needed, Potionomics will undoubtedly receive even more positive attention than it’s already getting (which is saying something). If you think you have what it takes to be the very best potioneer that ever was, Potionomics is ready to soul-bound itself to you.
  3. Guardian
    Oct 16, 2022
    60
    Running a struggling potion shop, sourcing ingredients, haggling with customers and fending off the bank is all charming and stressful work in equal measure.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best PC Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. Heraldrick
    Apr 22, 2023
    10
    Potionomics executed every idea it had to perfection. The moment to moment gameplay in making high quality potions versus bartering theirPotionomics executed every idea it had to perfection. The moment to moment gameplay in making high quality potions versus bartering their value up is addictively good. The character interactions and overall writing is high quality, makes you feel like you are talking to complete and fun people, all while backed by a progressive underpinning which I cannot get enough of. The visuals are the absolute best use of cg-animation I have ever and may ever see with characters being unbelievably expressive in what is a clear labour of love. With the music having entered some of my playlists for reading and relaxing in my down time. I fully recommend this title to people who are even ambivilant towards the genres present in this title.… Full Review »
  2. Alyte
    Mar 14, 2023
    9
    Pros:
    + Lifelike characters who have real problems, like imposter syndrome
    + No stereotyping, all characters felt like they had real reasons    Pros:
    + Lifelike characters who have real problems, like imposter syndrome
    + No stereotyping, all characters felt like they had real reasons that they had the problems they had
    + Literally cannot cheat on your partner (I'm looking at you Persona series)
    + Soundtrack was wonderful, very good at setting the tone throughout
    + Game looks gorgeous, the models were expressive and convincing and the 2D art was charming and made me smile.
    + Did not shove LGBTQIA+ involvement down your throat, characters sexual orientation and pronouns weren't the important part about any of them, just a part of their identity. It didn't feel like pandering, it felt like representation.
    + Gameplay was fun. The managment of ingredients and potions was the most fun version of any management game I've ever played, and the deckbuilding was superb. I absolutely loved the bargaining stage.

    Cons:
    - Cannot continue past day 50. Should unlock free play after completing the story so that people who missed out maxing all relationships or who want to achievement hunt shouldn't have to start fresh and try to completely optimize a run. This is the biggest problem with the game by far
    - Pacing was great until about day 30. i felt so stressed about optimizing my monetary gain that I neglected the social aspect, but then realized that I was so filthy rich and I had already brewed the competition potions so I just stopped running the shop and instead focused completely on relationships, which are the best part of the game.
    -Cannot sort my potions inventory, so it felt like I had to check all of my pages for which copy of health potion I wanted to give to my heroes

    Overall, my biggest problem with this game is that I cannot play more of it. At least not without resetting progress, other than the complete lack of post game/free play, excellent game.    … Full Review »
  3. Nightscape_
    Jan 6, 2023
    8
    Aside from missing some quality of life features and some mechanics not mattering, I don’t have much to criticize as the game is veryAside from missing some quality of life features and some mechanics not mattering, I don’t have much to criticize as the game is very charming. If you are someone who has enjoyed the Atelier series, card games, and/or dating sims that are very well written with fun characters and gameplay mechanics, I would recommend checking out Potionomics.

    What stood out the most had to be the writing. I am a retired sociology professor and this game felt like it was written by fellow social scientists. I have never heard a game bring up concepts such as decision fatigue and impostor syndrome before. The characters' discussions of economics and financial structures was very fun. I was half expecting them to start discussing conspicuous consumption and Marx's observations of utility and materialism of goods. It is like the writers understand about living in a neoliberal globalized market with little to no government regulation over the free market. But the best part has to be that the game’s writing is not woke!

    While there are LGBTQ aspects, no groups of people or cultures are tokenized and stereotyped just to check off some box for inclusion like you see in current year Disney, Marvel, Pixar, BBC, and the CW. No one is belittled and ridiculed due to gender or ethnicity like Luke Skywalker in the Disney Trilogy. Instead, the characters feel like real people interacting, but more flamboyant. There are no Mary-Sue’s who are instantly good at everything and always right like you see in Rings of Power, Disney Star Wars, or Captain Marvel. Instead, the game's writing focuses on the importance of believing in yourself, culture, society, and friendship. Characters actually have flaws and depth. The best way to put it is if you enjoy The Orville and Cobra Kai, you will enjoy Potionomics; If you enjoy Disney Star Wars and Amazon’s Rings of Power, you will hate this game.    … Full Review »
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