**This review will cover DLC 1 and 2 as well as base game since 2.5 isn’t translated yet(but I’ll edit this when it is since that seems like a pretty major update).
Stumbled on this game when I first got my Steam Deck, not sure why it came across my feed, but it was deck verified, had really pretty pixel art, and I had to double take at that price. At glance Mystia Izakaya is a cute extremely affordable Touhou fan game. I wouldn’t say I took a gamble, after skimming thru the steam reviews of all extremely positive reviews I could tell there was something special about that game, and naturally I had to see what that was.
The gameplay is one of the centerpieces to the puzzle that clicks together effortlessly building towards this comfort utopia of a game Mystia’s Izakaya has to offer. Mystia Izakaya released last year at the time of writing this(October 2021) and is still being actively supported between brand new DLC, updates that improve base game, and any and all bug fixes the community finds. During the day you have to decide between actions that will drain time from 30min+ to collect ingredients, interact & build friendships with Touhou characters, traveling between areas, cook prep before the night opening, and a couple other options. Between the time management you also have to be weary with the games currency you earn from your Izakaya earnings; if you don’t pay up you’ll probably get your kneecaps busted! During the night you’ll be setting up shop with the recipes you’ve learned from your NPC friends(rare customers)and serving em up to the locals and the friends of each areas. Depending on the level of your Izakaya you have to build up by giving Chen(loan shark who threatens to bust your kneecaps if you don’t pay up as mentioned above) dishes she requests and a building fee you have to choose between cookware you think will best benefit you. Cooking is pretty simple, each time you make something you have a chance for one of three buffs, once you get all three you enter hyper mode. There is a satisfaction meter for regular customers, special guests, and rare customers. Filling the satisfaction meter for regular customers will net you a higher tip, where the special guests and rare customers will getcha a spell card. Spells cards, taken from the mainline Touhou games give you a bonus that can do a number of things depending on the character you get it from. Some will give you rare ingredients, drinks, a buff, or even a rush of customers. When you cook before entering hyper mode you play a rhythm mini game where you have to time the notes synced with the music. When I started the game the mini game was actually a little different from what it is now, it updated when DLC 2.5 released and I’m not sure if it’s better but it’s definitely not bad. Honestly the only “issue” I really have with this game is how easy the mini game is. I do wish the rhythm mechanics were a lil more challenging but DLC 2.5 might fix that so I’m kinda holding back on critiquing that since that’s a whole rhythm game in itself.
The soundtrack oh my the glorious soundtrack! It’s really hard to pick my favorite track considering this game is filled with so many, and all of them are bangers. Each area theme pops and really fits the atmosphere on wherever the setting is, and the Izakaya theme’s that play are all vibrant tone setters that’ll get your head bobbing while you match with the mini game and chef it up. The boss themes are all fierce, bubbly, and intense to the core! If the gameplay is the foundation that forms its walls upon the tower of glory this game sets itself up to be, the soundtrack is the powerful base at the bottom that holds it all together.
The story is pretty lighthearted but still very interesting and wholesome. At first you’re preventing Chen from busting your kneecaps after our birdbrain protagonist Mystia keeps signing loan contracts ignorantly over and over. And then she realizes she has a dream; to preform at a concert with her best pal Kyouko. The main meat of this story is the characters you meet within the Touhou world and the impressions they make on Mystia throughout her journey in Gensokyo. I don’t have much knowledge on Touhou in general but I really enjoyed what each character had to offer and found them all really well written. There really wasn’t a single one I felt like I didn’t care about. Everyone has something to offer and really build up the lore this world has to offer. Each rare guest has an entry in your journal you can read that gets more descriptive as you build up their friendship that summarizes what Mystia has felt about the impression they gave her.
DLC 1 and 2 are also priced pretty cheap for what you get. Each pack provides 2 new areas, a bunch of new tracks, a new boss fight, some new recipes, rare customers, and new shops. DLC 1 is pretty much the same formula as the base game but it adds some pretty cool characters that I enjoyed. The boss at the end was actually a crazy wakeup call and proved pretty challenging. Both boss fights for the dlc are nothing like base game which I really appreciated because they’re a really cool part about the game. DLC2 is close to the same formula but it adds some new things. For one you unlock hot springs which going in spends time but also grants you and whatever partner(s) you select a movement buff. You’re also trying to earn letters of recommendation to participate in a cooking competition that is also a very unique boss fight compared to the others. Basically the price it’s asking for(and often goes on sale) you’re getting at least 10-20 hours of extra content so I’d say it’s more than worth it.
I feel like even with all the praise I’ve done I cannot stress enough how much of a bang for your buck this game is, I mean really! $6 and you get 60-70+ hours of content and for 5 more dollars you can get all of the dlc(including the ones untranslated at the moment) which will add another 20-40 hours AT LEAST(not sure how much 2.5 and 3 are but it’s probably more than 40 hours honestly). If you want something wholesome, lighthearted, fun, and unique be sure to give this game a shot. If any of this sounded like something you’d enjoy, I can’t see how you’d be disappointed.
Stumbled on this game when I first got my Steam Deck, not sure why it came across my feed, but it was deck verified, had really pretty pixel art, and I had to double take at that price. At glance Mystia Izakaya is a cute extremely affordable Touhou fan game. I wouldn’t say I took a gamble, after skimming thru the steam reviews of all extremely positive reviews I could tell there was something special about that game, and naturally I had to see what that was.
The gameplay is one of the centerpieces to the puzzle that clicks together effortlessly building towards this comfort utopia of a game Mystia’s Izakaya has to offer. Mystia Izakaya released last year at the time of writing this(October 2021) and is still being actively supported between brand new DLC, updates that improve base game, and any and all bug fixes the community finds. During the day you have to decide between actions that will drain time from 30min+ to collect ingredients, interact & build friendships with Touhou characters, traveling between areas, cook prep before the night opening, and a couple other options. Between the time management you also have to be weary with the games currency you earn from your Izakaya earnings; if you don’t pay up you’ll probably get your kneecaps busted! During the night you’ll be setting up shop with the recipes you’ve learned from your NPC friends(rare customers)and serving em up to the locals and the friends of each areas. Depending on the level of your Izakaya you have to build up by giving Chen(loan shark who threatens to bust your kneecaps if you don’t pay up as mentioned above) dishes she requests and a building fee you have to choose between cookware you think will best benefit you. Cooking is pretty simple, each time you make something you have a chance for one of three buffs, once you get all three you enter hyper mode. There is a satisfaction meter for regular customers, special guests, and rare customers. Filling the satisfaction meter for regular customers will net you a higher tip, where the special guests and rare customers will getcha a spell card. Spells cards, taken from the mainline Touhou games give you a bonus that can do a number of things depending on the character you get it from. Some will give you rare ingredients, drinks, a buff, or even a rush of customers. When you cook before entering hyper mode you play a rhythm mini game where you have to time the notes synced with the music. When I started the game the mini game was actually a little different from what it is now, it updated when DLC 2.5 released and I’m not sure if it’s better but it’s definitely not bad. Honestly the only “issue” I really have with this game is how easy the mini game is. I do wish the rhythm mechanics were a lil more challenging but DLC 2.5 might fix that so I’m kinda holding back on critiquing that since that’s a whole rhythm game in itself.
The soundtrack oh my the glorious soundtrack! It’s really hard to pick my favorite track considering this game is filled with so many, and all of them are bangers. Each area theme pops and really fits the atmosphere on wherever the setting is, and the Izakaya theme’s that play are all vibrant tone setters that’ll get your head bobbing while you match with the mini game and chef it up. The boss themes are all fierce, bubbly, and intense to the core! If the gameplay is the foundation that forms its walls upon the tower of glory this game sets itself up to be, the soundtrack is the powerful base at the bottom that holds it all together.
The story is pretty lighthearted but still very interesting and wholesome. At first you’re preventing Chen from busting your kneecaps after our birdbrain protagonist Mystia keeps signing loan contracts ignorantly over and over. And then she realizes she has a dream; to preform at a concert with her best pal Kyouko. The main meat of this story is the characters you meet within the Touhou world and the impressions they make on Mystia throughout her journey in Gensokyo. I don’t have much knowledge on Touhou in general but I really enjoyed what each character had to offer and found them all really well written. There really wasn’t a single one I felt like I didn’t care about. Everyone has something to offer and really build up the lore this world has to offer. Each rare guest has an entry in your journal you can read that gets more descriptive as you build up their friendship that summarizes what Mystia has felt about the impression they gave her.
DLC 1 and 2 are also priced pretty cheap for what you get. Each pack provides 2 new areas, a bunch of new tracks, a new boss fight, some new recipes, rare customers, and new shops. DLC 1 is pretty much the same formula as the base game but it adds some pretty cool characters that I enjoyed. The boss at the end was actually a crazy wakeup call and proved pretty challenging. Both boss fights for the dlc are nothing like base game which I really appreciated because they’re a really cool part about the game. DLC2 is close to the same formula but it adds some new things. For one you unlock hot springs which going in spends time but also grants you and whatever partner(s) you select a movement buff. You’re also trying to earn letters of recommendation to participate in a cooking competition that is also a very unique boss fight compared to the others. Basically the price it’s asking for(and often goes on sale) you’re getting at least 10-20 hours of extra content so I’d say it’s more than worth it.
I feel like even with all the praise I’ve done I cannot stress enough how much of a bang for your buck this game is, I mean really! $6 and you get 60-70+ hours of content and for 5 more dollars you can get all of the dlc(including the ones untranslated at the moment) which will add another 20-40 hours AT LEAST(not sure how much 2.5 and 3 are but it’s probably more than 40 hours honestly). If you want something wholesome, lighthearted, fun, and unique be sure to give this game a shot. If any of this sounded like something you’d enjoy, I can’t see how you’d be disappointed.