Retro Arcade Shop Simulator is a Simulation game from Alt Tab Game. This is their first entry into the industry and feel like they did pretty good on their first attempt. In a market saturated with so many simulators will this one stand out? Insert a token and choose the number of players for this review.
I have never been to an arcade that has bowling, go karts and a shooting range…WHAT KIND OF LOCATION IS THIS?!?!
Gameplay
We start with a small tutorial on how to clean up the place, manage the building. Plus how to set up a register and a couple arcade cabinets for customers to come in and play. Afterwards saving up getting more cabinets and leveling up to unlock the jukebox, you can expand the business. Luckily, your first expansion is getting the cafeteria where you can sell soda and coffee to customers. However over time with enough money and customers, you can change the floor, walls and even your sign with enough levels.
You can even hire people to take over certain duties the more you unlock around the shop. I will say that the AI for the employee working the cafeteria will aggravate you. Because this AI will make you wonder why it doesn’t serve food to the person who ordered it first. However, it chooses to give it to the person closest to them. The amount of times I help make a drink or deliver food, only to have him make another one!
The game does allow you to get a loan to help you if you need it. Obliviously, you don’t need to even take a loan at any time since if you plan correctly, you’ll be fine. But, I will say it’s a nice mechanic to have. I also do love the mechanics when fixing the cabinets being something you can easily use your keyboard on. Like the Simon Says part or doing the arrow keys matching game. Or even using the number pad to put in the code.
Graphic and Audio
The looks of the different types of machines and items are oddly pleasing for the eyes. From the floor and wall patterns we unlock from leveling up, to the graphics on the game and book covers. I do love how there’s a neat little easter egg on one of the floor patterns if you pay attention closely. However what really caught my attention was the fact we were not stuck and confined to only roaming the shop.
We’re actually allowed to roam the small town and look at the shops and the park that surrounds our little arcade shop. Another thing I want to show appreciation towards is the art that these cabinets have. And I even wonder if the games that show on every device was from another game or something made in Alt Tab Game.
Now, the sounds that each machine makes is actually making me think I’m at an actual arcade. But what really takes the cake is the music you can listen to in the jukebox. I literally had five songs that I played on loop for the seven hours I was playing. However, I don’t know if the music was royalty free music or something in-house. But either way, I never got sick of listening to it.
Longevity
With leveling up, expanding the store and managing inventory, the game can be completed in less than 12 hours. It’ll take a few steps of trial and error, but you’ll get into a groove on how to organize your cabinets and hire the staff needed to keep the ship running. My strategy was to spend responsibly and then just save. But, then again I did spend a lot on burgers and pizzas and those sell like hot cakes.
Final Thoughts
Retro Arcade Shop Simulator was actually pretty relaxing even though I thought it would be stressful. The aim of the game is simple and there isn’t any kind of issues that would hinder you like bills for the electricity and delay to receiving orders. Again, the only issues I had was the AI working my cafeteria not understanding who to serve first. And if you’re really in a hurry to make money, just raise the prices of either the game, tokens and/or anything in the cafeteria.
I give Retro Arcade Shop Simulator the Thumb Culture Gold Award
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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