Gameplay
Have you ever dreamed of stepping back in time—way, way back—and running your very own medieval tavern? Well, now you can! Tavern Manager Simulator (TMS) brings that fantasy to life with a gameplay system reminiscent of Gas Station Simulator. And in my opinion, that’s a great thing because Gas Station Simulator is one of those rare sim games that just nails the formula.
Simulation games can be a hit or miss—some feel like a repetitive grind, while others completely pull you in, making hours fly by in what feels like minutes. TMS falls into the latter category. You start with just a handful of barstools and a single barrel of ale, but as you progress, you’ll unlock more tables, a wider variety of drinks and meals to serve, and even fairy workers (who are paid in fairy dust…nice).
One of the best things about TMS is its pacing. A lot of management sims force you into a tedious grind for upgrades, making progress feel like a slog. While TMS still requires you to manage your money wisely, it doesn’t feel punishingly slow. You can actually focus on expanding and personalizing your tavern fairly quickly, without constantly stressing over every single coin. This balance keeps the experience engaging and lighthearted, making it feel more like a fun creative venture rather than a second job.
Feedback
While Tavern Manager Simulator is undeniably fun, it does feel like it has a ceiling. Games like Gas Station Simulator give the illusion of endless progression (partly thanks to DLC, but that’s beside the point). In TMS, because you advance so quickly, you eventually reach a point where there’s not much left to do. Once you've fully upgraded your tavern, it can start to feel like you've hit a wall.
That’s why I’d love to see future updates—or even some DLC—to expand the experience. In fact, a few ideas came to mind while exploring the game. For example, there's a lake you can visit, home to some (not-so-friendly) beasts, which got me thinking—what about a swim-up tavern? Or take the toll booth, where the attendant refuses you entry because of a past "rowdy" incident—imagine a bustling medieval city tavern set in a lively urban center. And one that I would love to see, An underworld tavern, complete with eerie patrons and a dark, mystical vibe.
With a little more post-launch support, TMS could go from a good game to an endlessly replayable one. Here’s to hoping the developers have some expansions in the works!
Verdict
Tavern Manager Simulator is a charming and engaging take on the management sim genre, offering a fast-paced and satisfying gameplay loop that makes running a medieval tavern feel both fun and rewarding. Its well-balanced progression keeps things lighthearted, allowing players to focus on creativity rather than tedious grinding.
However, the game does have a ceiling—once you’ve fully upgraded your tavern, there’s not much left to do. While the core experience is enjoyable, it would greatly benefit from post-launch updates or DLC to extend its replayability. With the right expansions, TMS could evolve from a solid sim into an endlessly entertaining one. Here’s hoping the developers have more in store!
Tavern Manager Simulator is available now for PC via Steam.
