PC Critic Reviews

Any fan of Spellgarden Games would know it developed Thrifty Business at first glance. Of course, the name is very close to that of the studio’s first game, Sticky Business. But there’s something more than that. It’s as though love and kindness are woven into the game. And that’s why I love playing Thrifty Business: it’s a chill sim with heart.

Thrifty Business has a lot of heart, making it a terrific title to pick up and wind down to. The characters are charming, the variety of items is great, and the laid-back, no-stress experience is something that has been rare in the genre for many years. If that sounds like something you'd enjoy, then I can't recommend the title more!

A quirky shop simulator, Thrifty Business allows you to let your creativity run wild as you decorate your store exactly how you'd like. It's laid back, though some players might dislike the lack of any real direction.

If you are looking for a cozy, no-consequence shop management game that features a robust amount of customizability in terms of decorations, then I highly recommend Thrifty Business. But if you are looking for something deeper, in terms of strategy, then…I might suggest looking elsewhere. That isn’t to fault the game – it just provides a very calm, surface level of gameplay with some interesting character stories. You might need to strategize. You won’t need to optimize. You’ll just play. And I enjoyed it for a time. But after a certain point, I found myself wondering “When is this going to wrap up?”

Thrifty Business is a good game that suffers from occasionally trying to be something it doesn't really need to be. I don't always understand the developers' thinking, but that might also be because I'm not part of the intended target audience for all aspects of the experience. If, however, you're looking for a relaxing and well-made flea market simulator with small puzzle elements, I definitely think you should take a closer look at Thrifty Business.

Overall, this is a pleasant game, and it’s excellent for distracting you from the real world. It provides a peaceful getaway where you’re just thinking about the simplicity of running your store. The gameplay, music, and graphics are woven together seamlessly to create an immersive experience. However, it’s not necessarily very ‘fun’, even though it’s certainly cosy. I did enjoy myself for a while, but after a couple of hours, it did just feel like I was killing time for the sake of it. If you really enjoy organisation, then I’m sure this will be really satisfactory for you. However, if you’re like me and you get a bit bored of doing the same thing over and over again, then I think you will get limited enjoyment out of this game.

Thrifty Business is a business management simulation that feels as relaxed as Sticky Business, though a bit less creative. You can customize your space and make it your own. Organizing it all can be soothing. Just know that it can be more repetitive than Spellgarden’s previous title, as it really does prioritize combing through inventories, getting things set up nicely, and enjoying the satisfaction of pleased customers and successful events as a result.