Not all players want to save the world or take violent revenge on the people who killed their partners. Some just want their own little corner of the world where they sell goods and provide attentive customer care. That’s how it is life of an innkeeper. Many of them exist in video games, but they’re usually relegated to the NPC roles and tend to be low-key.
Secure However, video games put these innkeepers in the spotlight and allow the players to take on the role. Sure, it’s not as adrenaline-pumping as diving into the depths of hell and waging war on demons, but it’s an adventure of its own. Besides, managing stores and businesses can also be stressful. For gamers looking for a quieter video game life, running your own business works just as well as it does in real life.
8th Ravenous Devils
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Publishing year
: 2022 -
platforms
: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
Ever seen Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd? Ravenous Devils is the video game version of this horror film. It’s a horror game where players lure customers into their shop and then murder them so they can turn their carcasses into food to be served to other customers.
The business structure is questionable and raises some concerns about health standards, but should suit most franchises. Of course, there are several challenges to running a business where the main supply is a steady conveyor belt of human limbs and torsos. In a way, this horror game still offers good, challenging fun.
7 moonlighting
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Publishing year
: 2018 -
platforms
: Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Google Stadia, Android
moonlighting is another game where players have to work hard not only to manage their shop during business hours but also to maintain it. During the day, players run their medieval fantasy shop selling adventure gear. At night, players collect this adventure gear themselves by digging in dungeons and exposing themselves to danger.
Again, not exactly a sustainable business structure for a single person, but that’s why moonlighting is partly roguelike. Admittedly, Will, the player character does this because he secretly dreams of being a real adventurer too. But to get there he needs to get his finances and stability in order, hence the shop and also the game title.
6 The Red Strings Club
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Publishing year
: 2018 -
platforms
: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, classic Mac OS
For another type of inn, players can check The Red Strings Club. Here, players are tasked with being a bartender in a story-driven cyberpunk game. This setting should be enough to turn heads, as cyberpunk titles tend to lean more on the action-packed aspect of the setting.
It deviates from the usual hospitality duties as the game does not place management and upkeep duties on the players. Rather, the game explores philosophical and existentialist themes through its narrative, with the players at the forefront. And what better way to experience the raw human emotions of others than being their bartender?
5 Recettear: The Story of an Item Shop
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Publishing year
: 2018 -
platforms
: Microsoft Windows
recipient is an underrated slow-moving game that teaches players the ins and outs of economics and how to manipulate the market to their advantage. Don’t be fooled by the cute anime garb, this game is the hardcore version of moonlighting.
The game explores Recette’s struggles. When Recette wakes up one day, she finds that she must now run a shop built into her home to pay off her father’s huge, crippling debt. But she is not alone as Recette has recently befriended a fairy who also helps her stock her shop.
4 Winkeltje: The little shop
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Publishing year
: 2022 -
platforms
: Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Winkeltje offers something more relaxing for players who don’t want to worry about manual maintenance or refilling. It is a straightforward fantasy shop game in which players can decorate, manage and simply run their shop without much worry.
Admittedly, players still have to worry about the financial growth of their shop. It’s still a game where players can corner the market through economic acumen, but with that they’ll sell potions, swords, and other magical gear for some lucky adventurers.
3 The Sims 4
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Publishing year
: 2014 -
platforms
: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Macintosh operating systems, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming
The Sims 4 is primarily a single-player social game where players can recreate their favorite sitcoms, but some of the biggest expansions have introduced a new way of playing. That Get to work The expansion allowed players to set up a shop and try their hand at retail or services.
There are a variety of business players to choose from based on their preferences. It can also get a bit heavy on the management side and players can even spend their Sims all day just running the business. Decoration is also a big part of this expansion; Players can even turn their stores into secondary or primary residences.
2 travelers rest
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Publishing year
: 2020 (early access) -
platforms
: Operating systems Linux, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh
travelers rest is similar to Stardew Valley unless it places more value on being an innkeeper. Players take on the role of a literal innkeeper who must mostly run the shop alone. This means that everything from stockpiling and selling goods to decorating and renovating is left up to the players.
The graphics come in the lovely 16-bit rural core Stardew Valley popularized. Most of the time, players will have to work hard to keep their Inn supplied with beer – after all, it’s what keeps the money going. Notice that travelers rest is still in Early Access, so don’t expect a full experience.
1 Another brick in the mall
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Publishing year
: 2016 -
platforms
: Microsoft Windows
Another brick in the mall offers a larger scope of hospitality in the form of keeping and operating shopping centers. In this respect, it’s a strategy and simulation game where players will expand their malls and plan the locations and lots for the many companies that will set up shop in the modern megastructure.
Hiring and managing staff is also up to players, as is keeping track of the vast amount of data available for analysis. This allows players to micromanage most of the essential and deep parts of the operations of arguably the largest hospitality business of them all.