The main thrust of this news article is that developer-localizer Carpe Fulgur has released a demo for its first project,Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale.To understand why that’s kind of interesting and cool, though, you’ll need some background:
Released by JapanesedoujingroupdEasyGameStationlast year,Recettearis about an eponymous shop owner who must raise money to pay off her father’s arrears under the watchful, but not altogether benevolent, eyes of Tear, a fairy come to collect. In Carpe Fulgur’s own words:
Playing the game involves gathering items — either by playing the markets in the city of Pensee, or grabbing an adventurer and delving into the dungeons that dot the country side — and selling them to the customers who come through your doors. …
Selling items and dungeon diving isn’t all there is to do, however. There’s quite a cast of characters to me inRecettear, so friendly, some less so.
GameSetWatch writer Eric Caoli mentions thatRecettearseems conceptually similar toRune Factory, and I’m inclined to agree. (I’m also inclined to parrot his keen observations, but whatever.) I’m more interested in the fact thatRecettear‘s mechanics extend past simple item management: you’ll become a better salesman by getting to know the people of Pensee, and the dungeon crawling takes the guise of an action-role playing game, complete with competing guilds hoping to get their share of the spoils.
It’s a downright clever concept — dungeon crawling turned on its ear — and I love that the scope is relatively limited and centralized. No crystals or ancient prophecies here.
The game will go on digital sale soon, though Carpe Fulgur aren’t forthcoming with the details. While you wait, though, you can download the demohere, and Carpe Fulgur have provided a relatively thorough breakdown ofhow the game actually works.
