Chocolate Factory Simulator – A slower but detailed simulator for fans of the genre

• DEVELOPER: Games Incubator
• PUBLISHER: Games Incubator, PlayWay S.A.
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Simulation / Cooking
• RELEASE DATE: January 7, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 19,50
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Chocolate Factory Simulator stands out from other simulator games. Unlike fast-paced or stressful simulators like Supermarket Simulator or Clothing Store Simulator, this game takes a slower, more detailed approach. Every action must be completed step by step, from pouring ingredients into a bowl and adding coal to the furnace, to hiring employees and customizing your chocolates just the way you want.

The gameplay follows a consistent loop: you receive a delivery order (which you can choose), select a recipe, and follow the steps to complete it. A helpful feature lets you pin the recipe to the corner of the screen as a reminder. With over 50 recipes and a five-star reputation system, the more you progress, the more content you unlock. The process includes everything from crystallization and tempering to shaping the chocolate in machines, wrapping it in boxes, and finally sending it off on an airship. While the process is long and takes time to master, once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it incredibly rewarding and cozy.

To keep things interesting, orders often include special requests, like adding strawberries, nuts, or coffee. These need to be prepared in a specific way according to the customer’s preferences and incorporated into the recipe. This is where some math comes into play. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds! A slider helps you measure the right amount of chocolate, simplifying small batches.

There's a lot to learn, but the more you play, the more fun it becomes

However, for larger batches (above 100 grams), you’ll need to calculate manually, which can be tricky. It’s easy to make mistakes since the game is very strict about using the exact ingredient amounts. While figuring out the numbers can be frustrating at times, mastering this process makes the game all the more satisfying. Mastering the mechanics of the game makes handling multiple orders and larger quantities easier, but it also slightly lengthens the process.

The good news is that the game has no time limits, so you’re free to take things at your own pace. The tutorial is quite lengthy and provides plenty of tasks to guide you. It’s highly recommended to follow the instructions closely, as straying from them can sometimes cause bugs that block your progress. The in-game shop allows you to purchase ingredients for both new and old recipes and upgrade your factory machines. Upgrades make the machines more efficient, but you’ll also need to maintain them, using a wrench to tighten screws and make repairs.

As you progress, the game can become overwhelming due to the sheer number of things to manage. However, it’s impressive how much attention the developers paid to detail. That said, I found the robot helper to be mostly unnecessary. While it can assist with tasks like picking up objects, its overall usefulness feels limited. Even so, experimenting with the game’s mechanics and learning how everything works is both engaging and rewarding. Soon you will also be able to automate processes, but again, that is all within your control.

Mathematics is key in this game

As mentioned, this is a slow-burn game. It starts slow and stays slow, but it’s surprisingly enjoyable. The visuals are beautiful, blending a cartoony style with modern elements that work perfectly together. The music is well-designed and enhances the unique atmosphere. Additionally, you can customize your factory’s look by adding furniture, plants, wall paint, and flooring, making the space truly your own.

However, I wasn’t a big fan of the animations. The way ingredients are poured looks a bit silly, and the fact that you can easily mess it up because you have to carefully control the amount adds an unnecessary challenge. This process could have been simplified, watching 20g of cocoa powder slowly pour into a bowl while trying to monitor the exact measurement feels overly tedious. The same goes for using the stove, waiting for things to cool down and heat up repeatedly is more annoying than fun. That said, some players might enjoy these details, but it’s clear you can’t please everyone.

Once you unlock the critics, the game becomes much more engaging. Critics expect perfection, so crafting flawless recipes is essential. Another interesting aspect is the ability to move between different floors, like your office or the basement, which adds depth to how you approach tasks. I also loved the customization options, designing your own chocolates, adding text, choosing box wrappers, and personalizing everything makes the experience feel unique.

Ending thoughts

Another mechanic worth mentioning is the events. These can be both helpful and frustrating. Events reset after some time, and new ones are introduced. For example, certain events might make coal or ingredients temporarily out of stock, forcing you to wait until the event ends. On the flip side, some events offer discounts on ingredients or speed up delivery times, which can be a big help.

While these events play a significant role in the game, they can also feel overwhelming. With so much already happening in the game, keeping track of events adds yet another layer of complexity. This can detract from the fun, especially when you’re constantly navigating through menus or flipping through the recipe encyclopedia to manage everything.

In conclusion, if you have the time and patience to slowly learn and master the game, Chocolate Factory Simulator is a great choice. The incredible level of detail is impressive, but it’s not very user-friendly. There’s a lot to manage, and it can feel overwhelming, so if you’re looking for something easier to handle, this might not be the game for you. Still, I would definitely recommend it for fans of the genre, it’s unique, charming, and offers plenty of fun for those who enjoy a slow-paced, detailed experience.

Review copy provided by the publisher

3.6