Even the most intense gamers need a break, and there’s no shortage of cozy, wholesome games to serve as a breather, whether it’s from life or even other video games. It’s the idea of having complete agency over a space, with deep customization options, that appeals to so many gamers and has practically started a new niche in gaming this decade. One such game I enjoyed was Sticky Business, a sim where you designed stickers to customers’ specs, and the studio behind it, Spellgarden Games, has now introduced this idea in the scheme of a thrift store in Thrifty Business. Can this tiny developer recapture the magic again?

Thrifty Business sees you take over a dingy, abandoned space from retiree Grace, as you transform it from an empty space to a sprawling, multi-level secondhand store. You’ll be stocking it on a daily basis, purchasing grab-bag boxes that only give you a hint of what’s inside; unpacking the boxes will one by one reveal what you’re selling, as you place everything on the shelves that will fit. You’ll get bonuses for stocking items together by color, aesthetic, and purpose, and the higher your score, the more customers you’ll attract. You’ll even come across regulars that will engage in full-blown conversations and have their own arcs across the game’s 10+-hour playtime.

The gameplay loop in Thrifty Business is exceptionally addictive. Having complete control over where every single item goes, you’ll be finding unique items again and again, every day you open, thanks to a massive variety. Truly, the majority of each business day is spent not only stocking the items but also moving around the shelves, as well as maxing out the potential organization bonus. After learning more about your regulars, you can also begin scheduling events they’ll host, which will attract sales for like-minded items for these days. For example, a handyman will host a “repair day”, and you’ll get the chance to clear out your crafting stock. There’s always something to look forward to in this game.

It’s a true delight to have so much control and tailor your own pace in Thrifty Business. That being said, just a few things are holding it back from perfection. Some items you’ll get to sell take up an abundance of space, and might sit in your inventory for ages until you can figure out a plan for your shelving. In addition, your more untidy customers will leave trash on the floor, which will sometimes blend right in with the 90’s flooring that I couldn’t bring myself to switch off of. Even with these nitpicks, it’s still a hugely entertaining time getting your store exactly to your liking.

I still can’t recommend Thrifty Business enough to cozy gamers. It was something to really look forward to after a hard day of work irl, and a game that’s hard to put down. Add on some excellent representation and accessibility, and just about anyone can dig into this cozy experience. At $12.99, it’s priced just right, too.

A PC review copy of Thrifty Business was provided by Spellgarden Games for this review.

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Thrifty Business

$12.99

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• Indelible Gameplay Loop
• Genuine Relaxation
• Pure Autonomy

Cons

• No Manual Save
• A Bit Simplified