Who would have thought that a "dating" simulator and a cooking game could be one interesting whole? The small Filipino independent studio Yangyang Mobile has released a new project High Times, in demo version, and it has already sparked positive reactions from the audience. At first glance, a typical cooking game has elements of a "dating" simulator and a very "colorful" story that further enriches the game. High Times is a game that surprised me quite a bit, mostly in a positive sense.
Presentation - a typical Asian colorful rhapsody
If you haven't played Asian games, you haven't seen the vibrancy and colorful world of video games. It is precisely this rhapsody of colors that "lifts" this game and gives it uniqueness. The overall presentation really resembles a blend of comic book aesthetics and anime. Since the demo shows only one location (a restaurant where you make donuts), I must mention the characters themselves, who are definitely the core of the game. Just like the look of the game, the available characters look recognizable, meaning each of them has their own style, design, and character, which is very commendable.
From rebellious punkers to eccentric influencers and romantic ex-partners, the cast appears diverse and convincing. What is very interesting is that the studio made an effort to add voice acting, and this element adds another layer to this fun project. All these elements leave an excellent impression, and besides impressing me, they also delighted other players who tried the game. All in all, the presentation itself is more than good.
Gameplay - a blend of cooking and romance
The gameplay in High Times revolves around running your own donut shop, but behind the seemingly simple concept lies much more than just preparing sweets. During each working day, the player talks to customers, learns about their problems, and tries to assess what kind of emotional support they need. This is where special ingredients and toppings come into play, which temporarily affect the mood, honesty, or focus of the characters.
Preparing donuts is done through simple and fun mini-games that successfully convey the feeling of working in a pastry shop. Although the mechanics are easy to understand, it is necessary to keep an eye on ingredient costs and carefully manage earnings to unlock new recipes and possibilities. As you progress, more ingredients become available, adding extra depth to choosing the right combinations for individual customers.
A great emphasis is placed on dialogues and relationships among characters. Conversations often offer multiple different responses, from sincere advice to witty teasing and open flirting. Since many visitors to the shop play an important role in the story, every decision can affect the development of relationships and the further course of events. It is this combination of managing a business, preparing donuts, and building connections with characters that makes the gameplay diverse and interesting enough to constantly encourage the player to have another working day in the restaurant. Additionally, the player can change the music, "surf" social media, and chat with people they meet while running their bakery.
A small, minor complaint is the game crashing in the middle of gameplay, which happened to me a few times. The game is still in development, and I believe the developers will fix this issue.
Conclusion - a very promising and fun experience
After an hour of gameplay, High Times is truly a positive experience. The game successfully combines the relaxed management of a pastry shop, interesting characters, and romantic plots into a unique experience that stands out among similar titles. The colorful visual presentation, excellent character design, and humorous dialogues filled with "adult" double entendres give it a special charm, while the system of emotionally charged donuts adds a dose of originality to the very core of the game.
What is particularly encouraging is the fact that behind the cheerful and fun tone lies a story that is not afraid to explore more complex themes such as breakups, emotional connections, and attempts to help others. The Filipino studio Yangyang Mobile has clearly invested a lot of attention into every aspect of the project, and if the final version manages to maintain the quality shown in the demo, High Times could become one of the most pleasant surprises of this year, and that fact would not surprise me at all.
Love truly goes through the stomach.
A copy of the PC preview version of the game was provided for the article by the development studio Yangyang Mobile.
