Potion Permit

Not all heroes wear capes. You do in Potion Permit, but that's not the point. The game is a life-sim adventure game that puts you in the role of an unconventional hero - a chemist arriving to save a town from widespread ill-health. This cutesy potion-making game certainly is a unique concept for gameplay and one that looks like it can rope you in if they play their cards right.

Potion Permit does things a little differently in terms of narrative and concept. But that's a welcome feat in a market oversaturated with indie games with samey mechanics. Let's visit the town of Moonbury and see if the idea of an alchemy hero ends up suiting our ideals of a good adventure.

Fun with Fluids

Dive into Potion Permit, and you'll see it has all the hallmarks of a trending indie game. A condensed environment, a strong narrative, rich characters, and mechanics make a player think rather than do. However, it's surprisingly not all copy-paste gameplay. There are elements of uniqueness about Potion Permit that will have players scratch their chins.

Players will arrive in the town of Moonbury as the world's top alchemist, sent to heal the disease-laden, technologically-isolated settlement. There are some connotations of being a medicine-man when you put the narrative in a general perspective. However, getting immersed into the nitty-gritty mechanics will showcase your stature as an alchemical guru.

So it's now up to you to visit every resident of Moonbury to discover their ailment, venture into the wilds for remedies, and craft potions that will make everyone all better. The medicinal nature of the game and the obstacles you'll face combine to create a surprisingly immersive game world. You and your trusty canine companion must battle hostile creatures, complete puzzles, and carefully curate ingredients to succeed.

It all sounds a bit straightforward on the surface. Still, the rich lore of Moonbury and your developing connection with the townspeople certainly bring an extraordinary charm to the game. Potion Permit is a title that can be as intense or relaxed as you like, and honestly, it's one of the most refreshing, well-rounded life-sims I've played as of late.

An Alchemist's Dream

Within the first few minutes of playing Potion Permit, you'll undoubtedly get Stardew Valley vibes, considering the visuals and the more casual approach to gameplay. But it's safe to say that the title stands up on its own in experience, narrative, and the overall atmosphere. Despite the pretty limited objectives of the game, you'll find yourself connected to the people of Moonbury in ways unexpected.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Rich lore behind the game world
• Gameplay diversity keeps players immersed
• Challenges in crafting potions for the townsfolk

Cons:

• The limited scope of the objectives means you'll run out of things to do
• Gameplay can get repetitive