Developed by Games Incubator, Chocolate Factory Simulator joins the ranks of games putting their own spin on the cooking simulation genre. Where games like Big Cheese Studio’s ambitious Cooking Simulator offer the experience of working in a modern-day kitchen, this game takes place in a steampunk world where “even automations love chocolate,” featuring specialized tools designed to bring Wonka-esque treats to life. But does Chocolate Factory Simulator serve as just another game for budding YouTubers to enjoy, relying on comedic or witty banter to sweeten the experience, or is it a rich, indulgent treat you can savour for hours on end without the need for added commentary? Read on to find out.
Visually, Chocolate Factory Simulator wears its steampunk heart on its sleeve. From intricate brass fixtures to the hiss of steam rising from retro-industrial machines, the design provides a mixture of charm and whimsy – one that arguably takes you aback before you do much of the chocolateering. The factory hints at a grand scale of operation that initially feels promising. However, the practicalities of this design quickly unravel; with the layout feeling haphazard, like an obstacle course, forcing you to spend far too much time running between stations. Furthermore, the audio, while inoffensive, does little to enhance the experience. Ultimately, although the aesthetic is undeniably attractive and effectively draws from the steampunk aesthetic, it feels like gilded machinery with no inner workings – a shallow charm that, much like the chocolate itself, melts away under pressure.
The gameplay of Chocolate Factory Simulator starts as one would expect, with the game tasking players to craft intricate confections from scratch in a highly detailed, step-by-step process. For those who enjoy micromanagement, there’s a sense of satisfaction in meticulously weighing ingredients, carefully tempering chocolate, and designing bespoke packaging for each order – with the usual… quirks of doing such a thing on a mouse and keyboard. The game’s realism is better than I expected for the price point. Players will come out appreciating how chocolate-making works. However, this dedication to authenticity quickly becomes a double-edged sword. The sheer volume of manual steps required for even a single order feels more like a chore than a rewarding challenge. Tasks such as reloading coal into the furnace or meticulously cleaning every utensil after use, while realistic, detract from the joy of running a factory and feel more akin to busy work. This comes with the Simulation game territory so mileage may vary, but it felt a little bit more irksome on the scale of tedium to me.
Progression is also just a little bit too tedious. There’s not a consistent move towards automation or streamlining of tasks, and the much-touted robot assistant, Nougat, remains largely ineffective until heavily upgraded. Even then, the upgrades feel disconnected, tied to an arbitrary reputation system that fails to justify the grind required to make Nougat truly helpful. The lack of strategic depth is perhaps the game’s greatest weakness—managing the factory feels stagnant, with no system to automate processes or manage production at scale. Instead, the game relies on the player’s patience to endure its repetition, offering little in the way of incentives or rewards to keep them engaged. In a way, this feels more like an early access build of a more ambitious project, and I would want to see continual updates making the game more consistent, more fulfilling and ultimately more fun. While the concept of crafting chocolate in a steampunk factory is undeniably appealing, and I would love to see a narrative to go along with it, the gameplay fails to deliver the sweet satisfaction one might hope for. Instead, it often feels like a series of increasingly tedious steps that threaten to overshadow the game’s rather charming and distinct premise.
Chocolate Factory Simulator is a game with a lot of promise but struggles to deliver on its potential. The steampunk aesthetic and detailed chocolate-making processes are appealing at first, but the repetitive gameplay, lack of progression, and tedious mechanics make it hard to stay engaged and feel more like an early access project with potential than a finished project. With updates and refinements, it could become a much more enjoyable experience, but for now, it feels more like a missed opportunity or a play-a-couple-of-times experience than a must-play. Thankfully, Games Incubator has very recently shared a roadmap, so maybe more is to come!
Final Score for Chocolate Factory Simulator
A PC Steam review code for Chocolate Factory Simulator was provided by Games Incubator and PlayWay S.A. to facilitate this review.
Chocolate Factory Simulator is now available to purchase for PC via Steam, with a free demo also available.
