‣ Espresso Tycoon
Release: May 2023 • From: DreamWay Games • Platforms: PC
Steam Link • Demo Video
In Espresso Tycoon, you manage your coffee shop (or van)—from moving the furniture around to designing unique drinks that might attract more customers. Channel your inner barista while managing a business: create the menu (and margins!), order supplies and decide if that lamp will make the hipster customers happier. Espresso Tycoon is a resource management game with ambition and interesting ideas that it puts to good use. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. But like any good micro-management game, you must watch your cash flow and give your customers what they want… or you’ll lose your shirt.
Explore The Game with Youtube Chapters:
📽 Welcome to Espresso Tycoon: Get into the java business.
📽 Indie Coffee is go!: Our business is open.
📽 A moonwalking pigeon?: Maybe caffeine isn’t good for them…
📽 Let's add some décor!: Your patrons need a place to sit.
📽 Getting to know your customers: This guy likes cheap Americanos
📽 More money!: Gotta raise those margins.
📽 Demanding customers: Order a few cups to get more business.
📽 Let's speed things up: Hit the accelerate button.
📽 Stupid capitalism: Don’t get too greedy.
📽 Special brew!: Will our custom coffee creation be a hit?
AIIG’s Take: Espresso Tycoon is the follow-up to the popular free Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater, and that extra experience seems to be paying off. The demo is fun, giving a short glimpse of a game that wants to be taken seriously in its genre. But it’s also cheeky and laid back—maybe not as cute as Cat Cafe Manager, but not as intense as Food Truck Simulator. Still, you’ll have to keep a few balls (cups?) in the air. Try to attract loyal customers with your decor and sales items, including new drinks you design. There are a lot of good ideas here that come together nicely and bode well for the final release, due in May 2023.