Discounty is a story-driven shopkeeping Stardew Valley you can play now

Ever wonder what Stardew Valley would be like if, instead of pottering around on a farm, you were running your own retail store? The answer is Discounty, a new story-driven business simulator that blends Stardew Valley's cutesy pixel-art aesthetic with the ins and outs of supermarket management. You get to customize the store's layout, negotiate with suppliers, man the checkouts, become embroiled in local drama and much, much more. If you've actually worked in customer service, don't worry. Discounty offers a more chilled-out experience than the realities of retail work and it's out now.

Out now, Discounty transports you to the small town of Blomkest, a town that's seen better days. This business management game tasks you with stepping up to run the titular supermarket, helping to heal this fractured community with your organizational skills.

That might sound like a tall order, but Discounty oozes wholesomeness, so, with care, you can manage your way towards a happy ending. Happy for you, that is, because not everyone in Blomkest wants you to succeed.

What does success look like? More so than Stardew Valley, it means unravelling the town's mysteries. Discounty is more story-driven than Concerned Ape's farming outing, boasting a 15-20 hour single-player campaign.

You can't just pick up a phone or tablet and order goods, you'll have to venture out into the town to negotiate trade deals with local suppliers. That means earning the trust of the villagers, convincing them Discounty truly is a local shop for local people.

Discounty is out now and costs $15.99 / £13.59. That's 20% off its full price, if you're quick enough. It's rated Very Positive, with the only real criticism being its short runtime. You can buy it here.

Are you craving other chilled-out experiences? We've rounded up the best relaxing games, or if you want to craft an even bigger empire, take a look at the best city building games.

Want to share your Discounty experience, or chat about other games? Drop by our community Discord server, where we won't judge you for ranting about retail.