This idyllic little town has a dark side—and it might be you.
In many cozy games, you move to a small island or a rustic neighborhood and use your farm or shop to revitalize it, breathing new life into a sweet but neglected little town. Those wholesome vibes are definitely present in the new supermarket management sim, Discounty… at least at first.
In Discounty, you've been summoned to the quiet little harbor town of Blomkest by your aunt to take over a run-down grocery store. Your mission: clean the place up, stock the shelves, make deals with local manufacturers, keep your customers happy, get to know them, and grow your humble shop into a beautiful and efficient store. Sounds like a dream, right?
But there's more to Discounty, as revealed in the trailer at Wholesome Direct today. Alongside your journey to becoming a successful businessperson, the game sprinkles in a touch of capitalist dystopia.
"By opening a Discounty franchise, you can transform the most unassuming small town into an attractive regional business hub," says the upbeat narrator, using the kind of soulless corporate jargon we've all heard in countless press releases and earnings calls. It soon becomes clear that opening a charming little discount grocery store is just the first step on the ruthless ladder of capitalism, and not everyone in this quaint town is excited about your growing business empire.
LATEST VIDEOS FROM PCGAMER
"You won't settle for good enough, will you?" the narrator continues, before the trailer takes a dark turn. Protesters are shown picketing outside your Discounty store, toxic waste pollutes a river, and black smoke billows from an industrial chimney. The question arises: Are you saving this cute little town, or destroying it?
As someone who loves a good shop sim, I'm intrigued by the idea of success coming with consequences—because, in reality, it often does. It's also refreshing to see an idyllic little town with a darker side, because every town has one. Discounty is set to launch on PC sometime next year, and it promises to bring both charm and a thought-provoking twist to the cozy game genre.
Whether you're a fan of cozy life sims or just looking for a new game with a unique twist, Discounty offers an interesting take on the genre. As you navigate the challenges of growing your small shop into a megastore, you'll face the moral and social impacts of your business decisions, making for a truly engaging experience. Stay tuned for its release and prepare to explore both the bright and dark sides of business in a charming little town.
Leave a Reply