Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat is a simple game. Accordingly, this review isn’t going to be as meaty as normal. Instead, I’m going to focus on the cute graphics, the basic mechanics, and the relaxing approach. This idle game will not appeal to a large audience, but I liked how the slow action evolved.
Destroyer Doggo developed and published this indie game. It is a single-player experience that uses an isometric viewpoint. There is no plot, no depth, and no real goals to talk about. However, I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is strangely addictive and I kept it running in the background as I completed other tasks. This allowed my pandas to get to work and earn me some much-needed cash.
Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat tells no story.
1 panda, 1 laundromat, and a heck of a lot of cloudy mess to clear. This is the set-up for Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat. There is no story to analyse and no characters to interact with. Consequently, you are left to your own devices as the game unfolds.
The panda walks around her business without a care in the world. Dirty laundry piles up and she moves it from a washing machine to a dryer. Once the washing is clean, she takes it to the counter and you are paid. This is Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat in a nutshell. No subplots, no complex gameplay, just you, your panda, and loads of dirty underwear.
Simple mechanics.
As the game unfolds, you unlock new machines. These washing machines and dryers cost more money, but they earn you more money as well. As such, you must invest to make your time more efficient. Alongside this, you can hire new pandas to help with the workload.
As the panda crew get to work, you can decorate the laundromat and hire cats to do nothing. It was very strange and unnecessary, but I didn’t care. I was hooked and I wanted to hire more pandas and buy the most expensive machines I could.
Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat is relaxing.
The soft colour palette and lack of violence make Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat a relaxing experience. Though the pixelated graphics won’t blow you away and it can be difficult to identify the washer from the dryer, it is pleasant enough to look at.
The audio adds to the atmosphere. The upbeat music creates an enjoyable vibe that rarely becomes tiresome. Yet, I turned it down when I ran it in the background as I didn’t like the music that much.
Simple controls.
Idle games are basic by design. Consequently, the control system is simple to master. A couple of clicks of the mouse button is all you need to know in this refined indie experience.
The replay value is questionable. I can’t say that an idle game will keep you coming back indefinitely. I found Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat to be addictive, but longevity is not at the fore and I’ll probably return now and then to check in on my panda team.
Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat is pleasant but basic.
If you want a relaxing game that is easy to play, then this should be on your radar. It won’t blow you away, but the lack of violence and slow gameplay were a pleasant change from other games. Accordingly, I like it and I recommend buying it here! Can you expand your cleaning business? Hire some pandas, buy new machines, and do little else.
