Thrifty Business Reviews
A quirky shop simulator, Thrifty Business allows you to let your creativity run wild as you decorate your store exactly how you'd like. It's laid back, though some players might dislike the lack of any real direction.
Thrifty Business has a lot of heart, making it a terrific title to pick up and wind down to.
Any fan of Spellgarden Games would know it developed Thrifty Business at first glance. Of course, the name is very close to that of the studio’s first game, Sticky Business. But there’s something more than that. It’s as though love and kindness are woven into the game. And that’s why I love playing Thrifty Business: it’s a chill sim with heart.
Thrifty Business doesn’t modify the way management simulations are made, but it’s fairly clear about the kind of experience it wants to give. It’s not about being tough; it’s about making simple things nice and comfy. What you get is a gorgeous strategy game that you may not even realize you’ve been playing for hours.
With its colourful visuals, chill soundtrack and gameplay that’s both relaxing and addictive, Thrifty Business is sure to appeal to fans of simulation and/or shop management games.
Review in French | Read full review
Spellgarden Games are unapologetically forward with their inclusive values, and they welcome in one and all to just enjoy the vibes with them. Thrifty Business feels more like an evolution of the developer’s first game Sticky Business rather than something completely new, but in this case that’s actually a great thing. The sense of community from that debut game is multiplied here by you actually meeting the people you’re selling to and buying from, and you get to feel like an actual part of the community you’re helping to build. If only the real world could be more like the worlds Spellgarden Games build.
If you are looking for a cozy, no-consequence shop management game that features a robust amount of customizability in terms of decorations, then I highly recommend Thrifty Business. But if you are looking for something deeper, in terms of strategy, then…I might suggest looking elsewhere. That isn’t to fault the game – it just provides a very calm, surface level of gameplay with some interesting character stories. You might need to strategize. You won’t need to optimize. You’ll just play. And I enjoyed it for a time. But after a certain point, I found myself wondering “When is this going to wrap up?”
I had a genuinely great time with Thrifty Business. Considering how much I enjoyed the demo, I was hoping the full release would maintain that same charm, and thankfully, it absolutely does. Beyond its cozy presentation and adorable visuals, the game also offers more depth than you might initially expect. For me, Thrifty Business is a shop management game done right. It’s accessible, relaxing, creative, and filled with small human moments that give real life to the experience. The interactions with recurring customers, the sense of progression within the town, and the freedom to shape your store’s identity all come together beautifully. I also want to give credit to the team behind the game. There’s a clear amount of care and personality poured into every aspect of the experience. Whether you’re already a fan of management games or completely new to the genre, Thrifty Business is an easy recommendation from me. And if you’re still unsure, the demo remains a great way to test the waters before diving headfirst into piles of secondhand treasures.