From Yokai to Yakitori: Serving Up Fun at Mystia’s Izakaya

The following game, “Touhou Mystia’s Izakaya,” was provided to me for thedailygamepad.net and was given to thedailygamepad.net for free by the developers/publishers of the game. I want to thank the developers/publishers on behalf of thedailygamepad.net for providing a free copy of the game to play for review. Please keep in mind that the review is for the Nintendo Switch and that this game was being played on a Nintendo Switch Lite.

Touhou Mystia’s Izakaya is a fan game for the “Touhou Project” in which Mystia Lorelei, a Gensokyo resident, attempts to reopen her own izakaya.

During the day, players gather ingredients and engage with Gensokyo inhabitants, while at night, they manage the izakaya. The main objective of the game is to welcome various customers every night with tasty foods in order to develop an izakaya appreciated by Gensokyo residents.

It ought to be noted  that Touhou Mystia’s Izakaya has been ported to the Nintendo Switch and contains all six of the DLCS published for the PC/macOS version of the game. This significantly increases the game’s replay value.

The preparation throughout the day and the midnight service make up the primary objective. Mystia spends the day exploring Gensokyo, a place brimming with well-known Touhou characters. You can fish at Misty Lake, forage in the Hakurei Shrine Forest, or even purchase goods from stores owned by well-known figures like Tewi Inaba and Remilia Scarlet. You can add diversity to your menu by unlocking new dishes by completing quests for these characters as well.

Mystia’s little izakaya cart becomes a busy hub at night. You take orders from an unique group of customers here, each with different tastes and spending limits. Juggling tasks, such as preparing meals, serving drinks, and maintaining everyone’s happiness, is the secret to success.

Mystia’s Izakaya presents itself exceptionally well. The charming pixel art style gives the Gensokyo universe vitality. Even more enjoyable is the soundtrack, which provides a cheerful and calming ambiance that wonderfully matches the game’s laid-back chill vibes.

The food itself, however, is the real star. Adding new recipes to your menu enhances your satisfaction level because you can see the delight on your customers’ faces when they consume your delicious creations.

Although managing the izakaya is the main gameplay mechanic, Mystia’s Izakaya has a surprisingly deep feature set. Upgrades that increase the capacity of your inventory and cooking can be unlocked as you advance. Your virtual izakaya will feel more like a real place if you decorate it to suit your tastes. The Touhou lore is also cleverly incorporated into the game. Fans will find events and character interactions to be delightfully tied into the established universe. Despite the lack of action, the game’s humorous narrative and oddball characters successfully convey the spirit of Gensokyo.

However, not everything about Mystia’s Izakaya is perfect. Even if the main gameplay loop is interesting, it can get monotonous after a while. The later phases can feel tedious at times, even though they provide more sophisticated meals and patrons. Furthermore, some might find the lack of challenge to be a little disappointing, particularly for those who are used to the Touhou series’ bullet hell origins.

It’s also worth noting that the characters’ small size is reminiscent of playing with Polly Pockets, so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, it did require some eye strain for me to see them on the Nintendo Switch Lite’s screen. Playing this on the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED, which can be connected to a TV, sounds like a nice idea, but I wish there was a way to make the handheld side’s perspective larger. Aside from that, I thought the controls were fairly good, and I had fun with the game.

To sum up, Touhou Mystia’s Izakaya offers a fresh perspective on the Touhou Project. A fun and surprisingly complex restaurant simulation may be found by Touhou Mystia’s Izakaya. It’s the ideal game to relax with because of its endearing graphics, soothing ambience, and captivating gameplay loop. Mystia’s Izakaya is a delightful journey through Gensokyo that will leave you wanting more, but it may not be for everyone—especially for those looking for a more action-packed Touhou experience.

Touhou Mystia’s Izakaya is a delectable dish you won’t want to miss if you’re seeking for a charming and peaceful sim experience with a distinctive twist. If you would like to play Touhou Mystia’s Izakaya for yourself you can get the complete game for 26.99 USD on Nintendo eShop. If you’re more of a PC/macOS gamer the game is currently on sale for 15.80 USD on Steam as a bundle.