There’s an old adage that says that if you’re grieving and feeling disconnected from the world, all you need to do is “work with your hands.” Cooking, gardening, peeling, painting—do something to get those fingers moving and unblock whatever is blocking serotonin from entering the brain.I think the old adage is supposed to mean being really dexterous and making your fingers work, but there’s something to be said about the analog side too…that’s why I like it Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator.
This simple hidden gem is available now on Game Pass for consoles and PC, but it’s not a game for everyone. It’s not too much of a challenge, its user interface is so simple, and you don’t need to open your brain for it. But it’s a great example of how simply buying work can keep you happy and keep your head above water while you deal with other stressors in your life.
Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator does exactly what it says on the jar; you’re an alchemist, harvesting ingredients from your garden, grinding herbs, mixing and matching your botanicals, and selling the results. Add some bartering and simple shop work, and you’ve got yourself an idea of this delightful pastoral world.
Although the game progresses from day to day, you are invited to take your time in this game – harvest, mix and sell at your own pace. I imagine being an alchemist is quite a stressful job – most of my peers have no fingers, burnt eyebrows, or the occasional green skin, etc – but this game chooses to do it in a more low-stress way Light.
For example, if you plan to master stealth brewing, there’s no real penalty for failing to do so on your first few attempts. In fact, when you try to point your cursor at the icon, you may find that you’ve created something entirely different—a happy little accident, as a perm-haired painter once said. That’s the real beauty of Potion Craft, to me: it celebrates your mistakes and revels in the imperfections of craftsmanship.
Even if you piss off your clients and make them pay top dollar for lead skin potions, you’ll still end up with great results. Sure, your repeats might take a hit, but it’s not something you can’t recover by peddling your item another day for just under MSRP. You might fumble for an advanced potion and ruin your best herbs – but so what? They will always grow back!
Even if you accidentally spill all your potions on some complex alchemy contraption that doesn’t work until late in the game, it’s a good game because — fundamentally — you’re still making progress. It may feel like you’re just moving an icon across the board and carefully adding water to your lotion as you move, but you’re actually balancing deep and complex chemical reactions and mastering an ancient craft. You just have to use your imagination.
Understanding how passing ingredients through a pestle and mortar affects them, the difference between water-based and oil-based, and how each different root, herb, mushroom or leaf affects a mixture is a slow and easy process – Travel through one of the lesser known magical realms in gaming.
Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator may be a simple game on the surface, but it has an unreal depth, with complex notes and some real depth for anyone looking to find them. It’s flawlessly implemented and compellingly executed, making it the perfect little game for anyone looking to dig into some pleasant, wholesome magical fantasies in February 2023.
Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator is now available on Xbox Game Pass for consoles and PC. It also works with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
