GamesSimulationI made beer with monks and got called “your Maltiness” in this remarkably chill ale-brewing sim, and you can too with its free Steam Next Fest demoWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesSimulationI made beer with monks and got called “your Maltiness” in this remarkably chill ale-brewing sim, and you can too with its free Steam Next Fest demoWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Shiro Unlimited)
My favorite part of theSteam Next Fest demo for Ale Abbeyis when people call me “your Maltiness”, and that’s saying a lot, because the whole demo is a lot of fun.
At this point, your options are severely limited to just one type of light ale, but you’ll eventually be able to brew more than 20 European styles of ale, which you can tweak with various optional ingredients to unlock special attributes. You’ll also be able to adjust the price, quantity, quality, and mash temperature of your brews with the goal of keeping your customers happy and your monastery well-funded. Part of that involves knowing when to ship your brews straight to market or store them for aging.
(Image credit: Shiro Unlimited)
I’ve only played through the relatively limited demo, but from that experience it doesn’t seem Ale Abbey is trying to reinvent the business sim genre. What it does do, it does very, very well though. The art style and animations are adorable, the simulation is deep but approachable, and the writing is hilarious… have I mentioned “your Maltiness”?
In my time with the demo, I gleefully fiddled around with my monastery, rearranging furniture and decorating my living quarters and office while the monks of the monastery worked the brewing stove and fermenter. My first few beers were awful, and as a concession I priced them low enough that my buyers were at least happy for the bargain, but after I invested time in the Research skill tree and learned from my failures navigating the brewing system, I was on my way to a prosperous ale-brewing operation.
Mostly, I just love how darn cute Ale Abbey is. Its depiction of Catholic monasticism is playful but respectful, its characters jaunt around the monastery with a rhythmic bounce in their step, and the whimsical music reminds me of the old Ultima games, which is one of the highest compliments I can give. I play so many games that deal with the bleakest possible themes, especially during the Halloween season, and Ale Abbey is theidealcounterweight to all of that doom and gloom. Would recommend!
And now, a toast to thebest simulator gamesto play right now.
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