Huzzah and Good Morrow traveler! Step forth into a fantasy realm and take your place as the village potion maker in Alchemist :The Potion Monger. A blend of resource management, crafting, with a touch of adventure, this game aims to captivate both cozy and RPG gamers alike.
Were you one of those kids who played potions with things you found in the bathroom? Little of conditioner, a splash of cologne, and a whole lot of expensive eye cream… Then Alchemist: The Potion Monger is here to heal your inner child.
Gameplay
The game begins with choosing one of 6 different animal types, each with their own special quirks. Between the cat, goat, pig, mouse, bear and fox, I of course chose the cat. You’re also given a pup companion to alert you to enemies and help sniff out ingredients. As you continue you’ll adopt more animals to help on your journey.
Explore a variety of vibrant environments collecting herbs, minerals and magical items. Each recipe is unique, sharing pieces of the four elements. and experimenting is encouraged. Different items result in new potions that help you navigate quests.
Quests are given by NPCs in the village. Ranging from defeating enemies, to creating potions, to exploring new worlds, the storyline continually keeps you striving for the next thing.
Progression
Progressing in the game unlocks recipes, upgrades for your character, and eventually a shop to sell your wares. Progression items can be found for a price in the village market. Earning money starts off slow, but as your reputation rises, jobs become more plentiful along with opportunities to earn money through quests.
Exploration is very crucial to your journey in Alchemist: The Potions Monger. Each unearthed area is brimming with unique resources as well as NPCs who can offer rare ingredients along with new quests. Quests vary from eliminating enemies, discovering curing potions, and much more.
Challenges
When you begin there are two different routes you can take. The Alchemist difficulty level, that is recommended as it strikes a balance between combat, potion-crafting, exploration, and story. While the Apprentice difficulty is more story and exploration focused, you receive more health, enemies are easier, more advantages, and no death penalty.
While mostly accessible to even the coziest of gamers, Alchemist: The Potion Monger does present some challenges. Resource and timing management are crucial while balancing customer demands, ingredient inventory, health, and crafting. Prices of recipes and ingredients fluctuate, adding an additional challenge layer to your endeavors.
Art & Sound
Reminiscent of a much simpler Elder Scrolls III & IV, Alchemist: The Potion Monger gives light-heartedness to the RPG style. The overall narrator has such great one liners, and made this game less serious than I thought it was going to be.
Each action, such as mixing ingredients or brewing potions, is accompanied by satisfying sound effects that enhance the tactile experience of alchemy. Together, the art and sound design contribute to a comedic, and relaxing yet engaging atmosphere, allowing players to lose themselves in the enchanting world of potion crafting.
Final Thoughts
With two difficulty options, multiple characters with multiple builds, and an extensive potion collection, the replayability of Alchemist: The Potion Monger is extremely high. Experimenting with different builds, and the various endings controlled by your in game choices, no two playthroughs will be the same.
Whether you’re a fan of RPG games or simply looking for a relaxing experience, this title offers a charming escape into the world of alchemy.
Alchemist: The Potion Monger was reviewed on PC. Gamer Social Club was given a code to review this game.
Alchemist: The Potion Monger is available now on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S & X , Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch
