Game publisher Targem Games has unveiled a new simulation game, 'The Way of the Tray'. This game takes place in a Japanese-style restaurant, where players take on the role of a waiter serving orders in a mysterious world. Set to be released on PC (Steam), the game is characterized by its high-difficulty balance mechanics.
๐ฎ Surviving in a World of Yokai
'The Way of the Tray' begins when the human protagonist suddenly gets transported into a mystical world inhabited by yokai and spirits. To survive, the protagonist starts working as a waiter in a restaurant. However, this isnโt just any ordinary serving jobโprecision and strategic thinking are crucial.
๐ฝ๏ธ Gameplay: Stack as Many Dishes as Possible!
Players take orders from yokai customers, carefully stack the food onto a tray, and deliver it safely.
- Puzzle Elements: Players must strategically stack falling dishes on a limited space on the tray.
- Balance Maintenance: The weight and placement of the food affect the trayโs balance. If it tilts too much, the food will fall, and a portion of the playerโs salary will be deducted as a penalty.
- Fast-Paced Serving Mode: Once the tray is full, players must quickly navigate the restaurant and serve the food to customers, earning extra tips for efficient service.
๐ Restaurant Growth Features
Players can use their earnings to upgrade the restaurant.
- Hire the Cleaning Assistant 'Hahakigami': Employ a yokai that helps clean the floors and maintain the restaurant.
- Interior Enhancements: Purchase decorative items (e.g., bonsai, lanterns, etc.) to improve the restaurantโs ambiance and customer satisfaction.
- Unlock New Recipes: As the game progresses, more challenging dishes and recipes become available.
๐ฎ Differences from the Original Version
'The Way of the Tray' is not an entirely new gameโit is based on a free version released on itch.io in 2023. The original version focused solely on the tray-stacking mechanics. However, the upcoming Steam version introduces a story mode, serving mechanics, and restaurant management systems, expanding the gameplay significantly.
๐ Award-Winning Game at an Otaku Event
The game won first place in the Video Game Contest at 'GeekCon 2024', an otaku culture event held in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The victory earned the developers a cash prize of 50,000 rubles (approximately $830) and mentorship from Targem Games. With this support, the game has been further developed and is now preparing for its Steam release.
๐ฅ Release Date & Expectations
'The Way of the Tray' is currently in development, with an exact release date yet to be announced. However, with its unique yokai-themed world, mix of puzzle and serving mechanics, and restaurant management features, the game is generating significant excitement among players.
In this fast-paced serving challenge, how many dishes can you successfully balance and deliver? ๐ฎ๐ฝ๏ธ
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