We have all, at some point, dreamed of leaving our boring nine-to-five jobs behind, moving to a quiet European city, and spending our days creating beautiful works of art. Just me? Surely someone out there shares that fantasy. Thankfully, Art Shop Simulator by Loveheim Studios gives us a way to live that dream from the comfort of our desks.
With a glowing 94 percent positive rating on Steam at the time of writing, this relaxing mix of job simulator, business management, and art creation is a refreshing and enjoyable experience.
Chill Vibes and Simple, Genuine Fun
The concept is easy to understand. You play as an artist who opens a cozy little art shop in a picturesque European town. You begin with nothing but your clothes, your talent, and a dream to build something special.
You slowly upgrade your shop, purchasing furniture and supplies, and eventually bringing in employees to help you run the space. All of this is made possible through the art you create. Once you acquire a canvas, you can paint as many pieces as you like using the in-game painting tools. If you are short on time, you also have the option to upload images of artwork you created elsewhere.
As you sell your work and improve the space, your reputation grows. This allows you to expand your gallery, decorate it with fancier items, and even bring in a cat or dog who helps out by cleaning up trash left behind by the oddly careless art lovers who visit.
While it may not sound like a groundbreaking concept, the game offers one of the most relaxing and satisfying experiences I’ve had in a long time. I believe almost anyone could enjoy it, and I think it has especially strong appeal for younger players. It also is a great game for content creators to play with some commentary.
A Blank Canvas Full of Possibilities
Since the game is still in early access, there is so much potential waiting to be tapped. The foundation Loveheim has laid is strong, and it opens the door for many exciting features.
New tools and equipment, such as a wider variety of brushes and materials that add texture and detail, would go a long way in making each piece more unique and valuable. And why stop at painting? Sculpting, pottery, and other creative activities would be a perfect fit for the game's world.
Online features also feel like a natural addition. Letting players visit each other's shops, compete in art contests, or even buy and sell art within a shared marketplace would build a strong, connected community.
The ideas that Art Shop Simulator introduces are flexible and full of potential for expansion, which is one of the biggest reasons I find myself drawn to it
A Few Areas Still in Need of Refinement
Being an early access title, there are still some rough spots.
The biggest issue is the lack of strong long-term goals. While the basic gameplay loop is enjoyable, it can become repetitive when your only real reward is more decorations for the shop. There is a sense that progression stalls once the novelty wears off.
The painting system, while functional, is also quite basic. It provides a brush tool with different colors and sizes, which works fine but feels limited after several paintings. Sadly, there is not much reward for putting time into a detailed masterpiece either. As far as I can tell, a quickly uploaded image from the internet earns just as much as something you spent real effort on. It would be great to see the game reward skill and creativity with higher earnings or reputation gains.
The graphics are simple and charming, and that suits the tone of the game well. However, a few of the models and animations could use more polish in future updates.
Final Thoughts
While there are areas that need work, that is expected from a game in such an early stage of development. More importantly, these issues do not take away from what Art Shop Simulator does well. It offers a relaxing and fun experience with a solid core. And it has all the makings of a game that can grow into something truly special over time.
For all these reasons, I give Art Shop Simulator a confident 8 out of 10. I am genuinely excited to see how it develops with future updates.
At just twelve dollars, it is already a great deal. And even better—Loveheim Studios has generously provided us with some free copies of the game, so keep an eye out for an upcoming giveaway!
