Platform(s): PC
Genre: Cozy, Cooking, Adventure, Simulation, Open World

There’s nothing quite like a warm meal after a long day, especially when it’s crafted with love and passion. This charming experience is at the heart of Fruitbus, a new cozy game from Krillbite Studio, known for their previous titles like Among the Sleep and Sunlight.

In Fruitbus, players step into the role of the grandchild of an elderly bear affectionately known as “Grandma.” Your journey unfolds as you take control of the titular mobile kitchen, dedicated to serving comfort food to those who need it most. The game begins with a nostalgic flashback where Grandma introduces you to the art of salad-making and the importance of gathering fresh ingredients, seamlessly guiding you through the controls in an accessible tutorial.

Fast forward to adulthood, and you find yourself on a quest to reclaim Grandma’s beloved Fruitbus from a junkyard. Inside the truck, you discover a heartfelt letter from Grandma, presenting you with a final task: to fulfill her last wish. Thus begins your adventure through the various islands of the Gustum archipelago, where you’ll work to mend Grandma’s past mistakes and craft dishes that foster friendships.

Therapeutic Cooking

Gameplay focuses on foraging for ingredients and preparing recipes to satisfy a diverse range of customers. Some patrons are eager for your delectable salads, while others require a bit of persuasion to join in on Grandma’s meals. The narrative reveals that Grandma had her share of disagreements, so you’ll need to complete various tasks—such as gathering musicians or assisting locals—before you can extend those all-important invitations.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the game is the cooking mechanics. Creating a salad is simple: combine your chosen ingredients, chop them up, toss them in a bowl, and voilà! This straightforward approach enhances the cozy atmosphere of the game, ensuring that the experience remains light-hearted and fun.

As an open-world title, Fruitbus doesn’t follow a strict progression path; your advancement depends on customer requests. For instance, once you reach the volcano island, smoothies become a popular request, necessitating additional equipment for your Fruitbus. While the game doesn’t explicitly instruct you to buy new tools, they gradually become available in shops as you explore.

With three islands to traverse, there’s ample opportunity to discover new plants, meet interesting characters, and learn new recipes. Decorating your Fruitbus, preparing food, completing quests, and engaging with locals are essential for advancing the story. If you’re someone who prefers a fast-paced gaming style, be warned: Fruitbus leans more toward a leisurely pace, making it less suitable for quick play sessions.

Unnecessary Traffics

While the storyline and voice acting are exceptional, I did encounter several bugs early in my gameplay. For instance, I found myself needing to press ‘F’ twice to proceed with certain dialogues, and there were issues when trying to purchase a backpack that almost seemed to disappear. One particularly frustrating moment involved collecting bananas, which required restarting the game due to a collection glitch.

Visually, Fruitbus is a feast for the eyes, featuring adorable characters and charming landscapes that enrich the overall experience. The captivating graphics drew me in immediately, setting a memorable stage for this heartwarming tale of family and friendship.

Despite its endearing qualities, Fruitbus feels like a work in progress. There’s potential for future updates to refine the experience, but as it currently stands, the game would benefit from immediate fixes to unlock its full charm.

Pros

• A heartwarming story.
• Easy yet enjoyable cooking mechanics.
• Lots of decoration to customize your Fruitbus.
• Graphics are a treat!

Cons

• Frequent game-breaking bugs and glitches.

FINAL SCORE: 60/100

Review copy provided by the publisher. Fruitbus launches for PC on 28 October 2024.