Chocolate Factory Simulator – Slower, Yet Detailed Simulator for Genre Fans

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• DEVELOPER: Games Incubator
• PUBLISHER: Games Incubator, PlayWay S.A.
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Simulation / Cooking
• RELEASE DATE: January 7, 2025
• STARTING PRICE: 19,50€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Chocolate Factory Simulator stands out from other simulators. Unlike fast-paced and stressful games such as Supermarket Simulator or Clothing Store Simulator, this game offers a slower, more detailed approach. Every action must be done step-by-step, from pouring ingredients into a bowl and adding coal to the furnace, to hiring workers and customizing chocolates to your liking.

The gameplay follows a consistent cycle: receive an order (which you select yourself), choose a recipe, and follow the steps for its creation. A helpful feature allows you to display the recipe in the corner of the screen as a reminder. With over 50 recipes and a five-star rating system, you unlock more content as you progress. The process includes crystallization, tempering, shaping the chocolate in machines, packaging in boxes, and finally sending it off on an airship. Although the process is time-consuming and requires practice, once you master it, it becomes incredibly satisfying and relaxing.

To keep things interesting, orders often include special requests, such as adding strawberries, nuts, or coffee. These additions must be prepared according to customer preferences and carefully integrated into the recipe. This is where a little bit of math comes into play, but there’s no need to worry! A measuring slider makes it easy to precisely weigh out smaller quantities of chocolate.

There’s a lot to learn, but the more you play, the more fun it becomes

For larger quantities (over 100 grams), you have to calculate manually, which can be tricky. It’s easy to make a mistake because the game strictly requires exact amounts of ingredients. While this kind of challenge can be frustrating, mastering the process brings added satisfaction. As you get a handle on the game’s mechanics, handling larger orders becomes simpler, though also a bit longer.

The good news is that the game has no time limits, so you can do everything at your own pace. The tutorial is quite detailed and provides many tasks to guide you. It’s recommended to follow the instructions carefully, as deviations can sometimes cause bugs that block progress. In the in-game store, you can buy ingredients for both new and old recipes and upgrade the machines in the factory. Upgrades make the machines more efficient, but you also need to maintain them using a wrench for tightening screws and repairs.

As you progress, the number of things you need to manage can become overwhelming, but the dedication of the developers to detail is impressive. However, the robot assistant is mostly unnecessary. While it can help with tasks like gathering items, its usefulness is limited. Still, experimenting with the game’s mechanics and learning new tricks is rewarding. Soon, you’ll also be able to automate processes, but this is all still under your control.

Math is key in this game

This is a slow game that maintains a slower pace from the start, yet it is surprisingly fun. The visuals are beautiful, with a combination of cartoon style and modern elements that work perfectly together. The music is carefully designed and further enriches the game’s unique atmosphere. Additionally, you can customize the look of your factory by adding furniture, plants, paint for the walls and floors, creating a space to your liking.

I wasn’t a big fan of the animations. The way the ingredients are poured looks a bit clumsy, and the fact that you can easily make a mistake due to the need for careful quantity tracking makes the process more challenging than it should be. This aspect could have been simplified; watching 20 grams of cocoa powder slowly pour into a bowl while trying to monitor the exact measurements can be tedious. The same is true for using the stove; waiting for things to cool or heat up is repetitive and becomes more irritating than fun. Still, some players might enjoy these details, but it’s clear that it’s impossible to please everyone.

When you unlock the critics, the game becomes significantly more interesting. Critics expect perfection, so crafting flawless recipes is crucial. An interesting addition is the ability to move between different floors, such as the office or the basement, which adds depth to carrying out tasks. I particularly liked the chocolate customization option; designing your own products, adding text, choosing wrappers, and personalization provide a unique experience.

Final thoughts

Another mechanic worth mentioning is events. These can be both helpful and frustrating. Events reset after a certain amount of time, and new ones are introduced. For example, specific events might temporarily make coal or ingredients unavailable, forcing you to wait until the event is over. On the other hand, some events offer discounts on ingredients or speed up delivery time, which can be very helpful.

While these events play an important role in the game, they can also feel overly demanding. Given how much is already going on in the game, tracking the events adds another layer of complexity. This can detract from the fun, especially when you’re constantly navigating through menus or flipping through the recipe encyclopedia to keep everything under control.

If you have the time and patience to slowly learn and master the game, Chocolate Factory Simulator is an excellent choice. The incredible level of detail leaves a good impression, but the game isn’t exactly new-user friendly. There is a lot to manage, which might be too much for some players. If you are looking for something simpler, this might not be the game for you. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it to fans of the genre—the game is unique, charming, and provides a lot of fun for those who enjoy a slower, detailed experience.

Review copy provided by the publisher