Fruitbus is cosy, simple, and relaxing. These are the perfect ingredients if you don’t wish to think about too much while wasting an evening at your computer. Though it lacks depth, you will not be tested, and the game does not penalise you for taking your time. Moreover, the story is wholesome, cute, and hard to ignore. However, the core concept is occasionally flawed, and this was a shame.
This cooking life sim was developed by Krillbite Studio and published by Silver Lining Interactive. It is a single-player game that encourages you to explore and make the most of your surroundings. Additionally, there are some elements of customisation, 3 large areas to explore, and plenty of locals to help and interact with. As such, though it is rudimentary, there is plenty to keep you busy.
Fruitbus tells a heartwarming tale.
Loss of a loved one is always an emotive element to any entertainment plot. Fruitbus utilises this heartstring-pulling idea at every opportunity. Cutscenes highlight how much the protagonist meant to their late grandmother. Furthermore, leaving the hero her pride and joy to honour her life is enough to bring a tear to your eye.
This is the core idea that runs through every element of the game. You must drive your grandmother’s food van to each of the key areas in the Gustum archipelago. This colourful, tropical area is filled with interesting individuals who touched your grandmother’s life. Her final wishes are for them to meet and celebrate her existence. However, things aren’t so simple, as they didn’t always see eye to eye.
Exploration is key.
Exploring the large and colourful world is key if you wish to make the most of this relaxing game. Hidden ingredients, new characters, and plenty of activities await. Additionally, there are platform-lite moments to keep things from becoming stale. As you explore the world, you’ll find new ingredients to create tasty and exciting dishes.
These dishes must be used to wow individuals and expand your arsenal of cooking utensils. On top of this, you must complete an array of quests if you are to bring everyone together and fulfil your grandmother’s wishes. Thankfully, there are no time constraints, and any quest can be completed in any order. Yes, there are certain tools that must be obtained to visit certain areas, but this is pretty self-explanatory and nothing to worry about.
Fruitbus looks simple but wholesome.
Though Fruitbus has rudimentary graphics, I liked the amusing touches and the interesting characters. Texturally, it will not blow you away, but I didn’t care. I like the vibrancy, the blend of soft and sharp tones, and the pleasant level design. Furthermore, the use of platforming moments, hidden items, and new tools adds depth and a 3D element to the action.
The audio is soft, calm, and a pleasure to listen to. Everything about this game is relaxing and easy. This is a pleasant change from aggressive racing games, OTT shooters, or never-ending sports games. As such, though it may be a break from the norm, it is a nice change of pace.
Simple controls.
The cooking elements are a little tricky to master. The game doesn’t do a great job of highlighting key instructions, and this was frustrating. Had things been clearer, the game would have flowed better. Other than this, Fruitbus is relatively straightforward and a joy to play. I like the mixture of ideas, and each core element was well-conceived.
Exploring the world and completing every task isn’t the most challenging of jobs. Additionally, once you tackle everything at hand, there is little reason to return. Luckily, the cutscenes and the story are captivating, but I can’t see myself returning once I publish this review.
Fruitbus is nice in short bursts.
Fruitbus is fun, relaxing, and nice in short bursts. Although some of the controls were a bit confusing, I think this will appeal to fans of the life simulation genre. The action is calm, and the wholesome story and pleasant visuals are safe for younger players. Furthermore, there are some hidden elements, interesting characters, and a relatively large world to explore. Therefore, I recommend buying it here! Can you fulfil your grandmother’s wishes? Explore the island, bring together the locals, and breathe life into the Fruitbus.
