Supermarket Simulator: Aisle Be Back for More

Managing a store has never been this fun or stressful

Launch Day Larry

Welcome to the world of Supermarket Simulator, where you can finally live out your dream of managing a bustling grocery store without the real-world consequences of expired milk and grumpy customers. This game offers a unique blend of strategic management and immersive simulation, all wrapped up in a package that’s as addictive as a buy-one-get-one-free sale.

Gameplay: Aisle of Plenty

Supermarket Simulator’s gameplay is a delightful concoction of strategy, management, and a dash of chaos. Players start with a humble corner shop and work their way up to a sprawling supermarket empire. The core mechanics revolve around organizing shelves, setting prices, and keeping customers happy, which sounds simple until you realize you’re also juggling a global market with fluctuating prices. It’s like playing chess, but with more canned beans and fewer knights.

The game shines with its progression system, allowing players to expand their store, unlock new products, and hire staff. This adds layers of strategy and achievement, making each level-up feel like a victory lap around the produce section. The manual cashier mode is a standout feature, adding a tactile sense of immersion as you handle checkouts. Plus, the ability to customize your store’s interior and manage staff for automation adds depth and personalization.

While the gameplay loop is engaging, it can feel repetitive over long sessions. However, the frequent updates and mod support keep things fresh, ensuring there’s always something new to explore. The development team is active, frequently rolling out updates that introduce new features and quality of life improvements, like quick reordering via a tablet. Just be prepared for the occasional game crash, which might leave you wishing for more frequent autosaves.

Graphics: A Visual Feast

Supermarket Simulator’s graphics are a feast for the eyes, with photorealistic textures and detailed design elements that bring the game world to life. The attention to detail is impressive, from the realistic product packaging to the natural movement of leaves in the trees. It’s like stepping into a virtual grocery store, minus the awkward small talk with the cashier.

However, not all is perfect in this visual wonderland. Some players have reported performance issues, particularly on hardware like the GTX 1650 and the Steam Deck. The lack of adjustable graphics settings can be a bummer, especially when the latest shaders feel dreary or the color palette is too bright for some tastes. Despite these hiccups, the graphics remain a major selling point, significantly enhancing the game’s immersive nature.

Story: Aisle of the Mundane

If you’re looking for a gripping narrative, Supermarket Simulator might leave you wanting. The game lacks a substantial story, focusing instead on the experience of being a fictional retail worker. While some players suggest a potential storyline involving market domination, this narrative is not present in the current version.

Despite the lack of a traditional narrative, the game offers a unique blend of psychological exploration and humor. The mundane yet stressful nature of retail work is captured with elements of psychological horror, while goofy NPCs and quirky details add a lighthearted touch. It’s an experience that highlights the psychological impact of retail work, all while letting you beat robbers with a bat for a bit of cathartic fun.

Final Verdict

Supermarket Simulator is a promising simulator with a solid foundation, offering enjoyable and strategic gameplay that is expected to improve with ongoing updates and community feedback. While the story might be as thin as a supermarket flyer, the engaging mechanics and immersive graphics make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. Just be prepared for a few performance issues and the occasional crash. Overall, it’s a delightful dive into the world of retail management, earning a respectable 7.5 out of 10.