If, like me, you spend your days wistfully dreaming of Hobbiton or perusing antique stores like you live there, then boy howdy, do I have a game for you. Enveloping, beautiful, and expansive, Trash Goblin is perfect for settling in on a rainy day and living out your goblin-core dreams.
In this wholesome shopkeeping game, you’ll operate a trinket repair store, cleaning and upcycling bits-and-bobs to resell to passing adventurers and colorful locals. Spend your hard-won earnings on decorating your store and upgrading your tools, shaping a space that’s uniquely yours. Interested? Read on for a breakdown of visuals, mechanics, and worldbuilding!
A Feast for the Eyes
Visually, this game is lovely. It does a fantastic job of unifying 2D and 3D art styles, allowing for both good interactivity with objects and fresh, lively character designs. Each visitor is uniquely styled and characterized, giving a strong sense of realism to the world.
The environment feels appropriately cluttered for the goblin-core aesthetic without being overwhelming, immersing you in the game’s niche genre. The UI is approachable, interactive items are easily identifiable, and the environment is unique yet easily navigable.
That said, the customizability of the space felt somewhat limited in the demo, as object placement was constrained. However, Steam screenshots suggest a broader range of customization in the full game, which I hope lives up to its promise—it would fit the tone of Trash Goblin perfectly.
Satisfying and Simple Gameplay
The gameplay may seem simple at first, but it quickly becomes captivating. Each in-game day is divided into six time periods, during which you perform various tasks: cleaning trinkets with a sponge, chiseling dirt off items, magically repairing broken pieces with a clamp, and more.
The mechanics are straightforward yet deeply satisfying. Each task has a tactile sense of completion that kept me hooked, encouraging me to clean one more hairpin or repair one more dagger. The variety of tasks, combined with approachable puzzles and the gratification of a completed trinket, makes the gameplay enjoyable and addictive.
It’s a game that fits both short, relaxing sessions and long, immersive binges. I can see myself unwinding with it for ten minutes or diving in for hours while watching a movie.
On occasion, I had to pick up an item multiple times before my chisel would select it, but this was a minor issue in an otherwise smooth experience.
Immersive Worldbuilding
While I only got a glimpse of the wider world, the game’s worldbuilding deserves praise. From the design of characters to the intricate details of trinkets, everything feels intentional and steeped in meaning.
Elephant kettles that stand on little legs, Orcish daggers adorned with rings, and the enigmatic “Grandma Egg” all contribute to a world that feels rich in culture and history. Whether or not these elements lead to a larger narrative, their design adds weight and significance to the cozy fantasy setting.
The telepathic mushrooms are adorable, the robotic contraptions intriguing, and every detail invites you to explore further. The game excels at crafting a niche but beloved fantasy dream space. (Also, shoutout to the many gender-defying characters—I want to be all of them.)
A Cozy, Rainy-Day Delight
As soon as I finished the demo, I immediately purchased the early access version, which was downloading as I wrote this review. I’m already scanning my tea cupboard for the perfect pairing.
If you’re a fan of Legends and Lattes, hunting through antique shops, or the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket while it rains outside, I highly recommend Trash Goblin. A hot drink and blanket cocoon are optional but highly encouraged.
Hi, I’m Patch! I love story-driven video games, TTRPGs, and everything cute or spooky! I somehow manage to squeeze Let’s Plays and Streaming in between my Writing and Sound Design study, and even release the occasional Podcast episode 🙂
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