The Hidden Charms of Garage Sale – A Must-Try Game!

This might be one of the most wholesome cozy games I’ve ever played. Garage Sale is a cute interactive fiction RPG where you set out on a scavenger hunt on Garage Sale Day.

In this article, we’ll be giving a full review of the game and ranking it from decaf to fully caffeinated.

Prefer to watch the video version? Check it out here

Story

As an interactive fiction game, the story is front and center, and boy is it a wholesome one! You play as Juniper, aka Junebug, as she sets out on her first solo garage sale day. In Lettuce Village, Garage Sale Day is a big deal. Everyone sets up their garage with goodies to purchase, and you get to go from house to house collecting treasures.

As you venture around town, you’ll chat with the quirky residents, taking on quests and making friends. You’ll learn more about the characters and the town itself as you explore. The game is essentially quest-based, with tasks ranging from finding code parts to buying out a stand so the owner can play. The variety encourages you to explore fully and discover the village’s hidden gems.

The game truly shines in the little details: the things you can read on walls, notes, and character interactions. It’s clear this was a project full of passion. The story is a sweet, heartfelt exploration of friendship and community, and for that, Garage Sale gets a Fully Caffeinated rating.

GAMEPLAY

Garage Sale might be interactive fiction, but it feels more like an exploration sim. The gameplay could be compared to Pokemon, with a 2D pixel art style where you walk around and interact with elements in the game scenes. It consists of a lot of walking, talking, and hunting for objects.

While there isn’t a ton of complexity, it’s not a negative for this style of game. In fact, the simple mechanics allow the story and characters to be the star. The laid-back approach creates a cozy atmosphere, and for gameplay, Garage Sale gets a Juiced rating.

DESIGN

Garage Sale has a cute pixel art style that perfectly complements the wholesome vibe of the story. Each character has their own style, and there’s a range of houses and areas to explore. The text animation is a standout feature, bringing dialogue to life during longer conversations, and adding a whole lot of quirky goodness to the game. The soundscape is suitably cozy and nice, further polishing the aesthetic. The design cohesively matches the game’s wholesomeness, earning it another Juiced rating.

ORIGINALITY

Garage Sale is a quirky spin on a narrative-based game. I’ve never played anything that features a garage sale day, and it sounds like a fantastic way to connect with neighbors! While the mechanics and design aren’t groundbreaking, the story is where the game shines, rightfully earning its Juiced rating for originality.

THE FINAL BREW

Garage Sale is a wholesome narrative exploration game that feels like a warm hug. It’s one of the coziest games I’ve played, guaranteed to steal your heart.

We’ve brewed this game down, and it’s time for the taste test… Garage Sale is Juiced.

Garage Sale is available on Steam now. You can find more info here.

Until next time, stay caffeinated!