'Party Club' Preview

I recently received a message on Instagram from Indie developer Lucid11 (an 11 person Turkish game developer) about an upcoming game called 'Party Club' they were currently working on. They were reaching out to see if I would like to try out the beta, and since I love indie games, and love to party, I said yes.

The game at first glance seemed very similar to a lot of other indie titles out there. In the simplest terms it is a cute game where you play as an animal who is setting up a juice bar for other animals. On steam the description is - 'manage your venue, seat customers, serve drinks, kick out the messy customers, survive disasters and celebrate festivals.' So after reading that I thought 'OK, another cozy cafe simulator with cute animals to add to the long list of titles that fit this description.' Then I played the beta and realised that this game is actually an extremely fun and unique experience that sets itself apart from other 'cutesy animal cafe simulators'.

Here is the simplest way I would describe it 'imagine Overcooked didn't make you want to kill your friends and family' - that's it, that's the game. You can play alone or Co-op up to 4 players and either way the game is a blast. You basically greet customers, seat them and fulfill their orders before they get bored, or angry, and leave. But the fun twists are that certain customers cannot be seated near each other - such as a wolf and a rabbit, because the wolf will just start trying to murder the rabbit. Also sometimes animals will get annoyed and go on a rampage and start trashing the place, and when that happens you have to grab a weapon and beat them senseless until they leave.

This brings me nicely onto one of the things that really stood out about the game- it's sense of humour. For example you have to buy a bathroom for your venue, but the bathroom is essentially a cat's litter tray that the animals will take a giant dump in and you have to clean up. Also seeing a cute little red panda beating up a bull with a lead pipe and dragging them out because they got angry about the speed their juice was delivered and destroyed a table was hilariously entertaining. The punters will also fight and vomit everywhere and before you know it, it feels less like you are running a chilled out, juice bar and more like you are running a rough bar during a football game!

The gameplay loop is incredibly addictive. So each day starts with you using the money you earned from the previous day to update your venue. So you might decide to buy a new table to seat more customers, or instead a new soda machine so that you can fulfill orders quicker and keep people happier. You can kind of play the way you want to and build your venue in your own unique way. Then once you have set up for the day you let the customers in and you have to manage making sure people are seated in a way that doesn't cause riots, serve them juice, clean up their vomit, clean up their poop and beat them with a stick when needed. Then after a few minutes the day will end and you can spend your money on upgrading your stuff so that you can repeat the process again the next day. I played single player, and honestly I was hooked - but multiplayer adds a whole new level of chaotic fun.

The only criticisms I had for the game is that the animals seemed to throw up way too much and aside from a handful of juice options, there didn't seem to be a lot of choice when it came to products you can serve. But if I was having friends over and wanted something that is easy to pick up, play and have fun with in a group (based on the small section I have played) - I would probably choose 'Party Club' instead of 'Overcooked'.

The beta did not have access to everything the game has to offer, as it is still in development, but there will be fun cosmetics, more maps and I am sure plenty of other exciting things that we will learn more about closer to the game's release. 

The game is set to release on steam Q1 2025 and you are able to add it to your wishlist now!

UPDATE - Here is some more info I recieved from the devs!

Party Club: The Ultimate Mixology Experience

Welcome to "Party Club," a vibrant and dynamic game that combines the excitement of running a bustling venue with the strategic challenges of mixology. In "Party Club," players step into the shoes of aspiring mixologists, navigating through various realms, facing unique phenomena, and mastering the art of customer satisfaction. Here's an in-depth look at what makes this game a truly engaging and immersive experience.

Game Mechanics:

1. Setup Phase: Before the venue opens, players enter the setup phase where they prepare the venue for the day. This involves accessing the inventory to place essential objects, cleaning the venue, repairing any broken items, and organizing the layout to maximize efficiency. Players can also select power-ups to give them an edge during the shift phase. Ensuring everything is in order during this phase is crucial for a successful day.

2. Shift Phase: Once the setup is complete, the shift phase begins. During this phase, players greet and seat customers, take orders, prepare and serve drinks, and collect payments. Players must manage their time and resources effectively to keep customers happy and maintain a smooth workflow. Interacting with customers, cleaning spills, and repairing broken items are all part of the daily routine.

3. Customer Types: Customers in "Party Club" are divided into three main types: Feral, Neutral, and Peaceful.

• Feral Customers: These customers are prone to causing trouble and fighting. They offer higher tips but require careful management to prevent conflicts.
• Neutral Customers: They don't start fights but will defend themselves if provoked. They are generally easy to manage.
• Peaceful Customers: These customers avoid conflict and are easily scared. Keeping them happy ensures a steady flow of tips.

4. Placeable Objects: Players can place various objects in the venue to enhance its functionality. This includes tables, chairs, counters, and dispensers. Each object type has specific characteristics and capacities, allowing players to customize their venue layout to suit different customer needs.

Events and Phenomena:

1. Fuse Abuse: In the City realm, players face the Fuse Abuse phenomenon. During this event, the venue experiences power outages. Players must quickly locate and activate a switch to restore lighting, balancing their time between serving customers and keeping the venue operational.

2. Dicey Ice: In the Ice realm, players deal with slippery floors caused by ice patches. Moving across these patches causes players to slide uncontrollably, adding a challenging element to their tasks.

3. Sacred Chalice: A mystical phenomenon where a Sacred Chalice appears in the venue. Players must carry the chalice to the juice machine to fill it with sacred liquid, granting various power-ups that enhance their abilities.

4. Cursed Rain: In the Swamp realm, cursed rain falls upon the venue, cursing players. To lift the curse, players must quickly consume the healing milk provided by Mr. Mooster, who throws milk cartons into the venue.

Characters:

1. Mr. Mooster: Mr. Mooster is the player's mentor, guiding them through their journey to become the ultimate mixologist. He provides valuable tips, power-ups, and support throughout the game.

2. Dr. Mad Cow: The primary antagonist, Dr. Mad Cow, is Mr. Mooster's brother who has stolen the Ultimate Book of Mixologists. Players must navigate through various challenges to reclaim the book and restore peace to the realms.

Power-Ups: Players can use power-ups to gain temporary advantages during gameplay. These include:

• Hammer: Reduces repair time.
• Mop: Increases cleaning speed.
• Rollerblade: Enhances movement speed.
• Boxing Glove: Increases the strength of attacks.

Venue Layout and Customization: Players have the freedom to design and customize their venue. They can choose different table types such as Bistro, Couple Table, Booth, and Big Booth, each catering to different customer capacities. Proper placement and maintenance of objects are key to ensuring a smooth operation and maximizing customer satisfaction.

Special Customers: Players encounter various special customers, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. These include:

• Skunk Man: Causes other customers to leave due to his smell.
• Rich Pig: Attacks players, dropping money when hit.
• Cocktail Critic: Provides significant positive or negative feedback based on their experience.

Environmental Challenges: Each realm presents unique environmental challenges that players must adapt to. From slippery ice patches in the Ice realm to cursed rain in the Swamp realm, players must navigate these obstacles while managing their venue efficiently.

Achievements and Rewards: Players can earn achievements by completing specific tasks and challenges. These achievements provide rewards and recognition, motivating players to perfect their mixology skills and venue management.

Let me know what your thoughts are and if you will be picking up 'Party Club' in the comments below!

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