Aunt's Supermarket Takeover: Intense Retail Simulator Challenges Cozy Expectations

Discounty, a new retail simulator game, is set to release in the coming months. Unlike the typical cozy, relaxing life simulators that have become popular in the wake of Stardew Valley, Discounty takes a different approach to the genre.

In Discounty, the protagonist is taken in by their tricky, ambitious aunt and put to work in her branch of a franchised supermarket. This sets the game apart from the usual path of prioritizing the growth of a local community center or farm. Instead, the focus is on running a successful business and injecting life into the economy of a struggling small town.

The supermarket management aspect of Discounty is intense and work-heavy. Players must quickly purchase stock, lay it out on the shop floor, and ensure the shelves are stocked, the floor is clean, and the customers are satisfied. The game's tone is not clean and cutesy, but rather reflects the challenges of operating a real-world business.

Interestingly, the game's pixel art graphics initially give the impression of a sweet, relaxing experience. However, the town the protagonist moves into is actually quite bleak, with shuttered storefronts and rotting posters on the walls, reminiscent of the gritty setting of Eastward. This contrast between the visual style and the game's actual tone is a refreshing and unique aspect of Discounty.