Happy Sandwich Cafe vs Meeple Station
Happy Sandwich Cafe
Happy Sandwich Cafe is a sandwich shop simulation game where you not only get to run and manage a virtual sandwich shop of your own; you can even create your original sandwich recipes and test them out to get your customers' (and friends') feedback. The ingredients you need to make your sandwiches can be obtained via quests where you have to fulfill sandwich orders from the local farmer and grocery stores. You can unlock new ingredients by playing mini-games as well. With so many types of bread and fillings, you'll be running a shop that has an even wider variety of sandwiches and is better in any way than Subway in no time!Of course, being a shop simulation game, you'll also get to use the profits you've gained to improve the appearance of your, albeit 2D, shop in many ways, including buying signboards, repainting the walls, or adding some festive decor to welcome any special occasions. Fancy pitting your sandwich-making skills in a sandwich contest? Well, you can do just that in this game and if you happen to win, you can get some exclusive prizes for your shop.
Unlike the usual types of dishes served in cooking-themed games, Happy Sandwich Cafe dared to be different by presenting a beautifully-illustrated 2D look and a different game experience (making and selling your own sandwiches), and somehow, it greatly paid off. So, if you've tired of the usual cooking and shop management gameplay of most games on the mobile platform, you should defintiely check this game out. It is different... in a very good way!
Meeple Station
Meeple Station is a space-themed, sandbox simulation game that focuses a lot on exploration, trading and team management. In this game, you’ll need to build your starter space station and then venture out into the galaxy to find a place to set up shop, so to speak. Mine nearby resources and refine them into valuable bars and other alloys, and trade the resources you have with passing spaceships for resources that you don’t. Don’t forget to assign your meeples with tasks that suit their respective personalities, and give them everything they need to be content despite being cooped up in a tightly-packed space station.The game doesn't have a multiplayer mode (yet), but I can see the potential of having the game mode added in the future where players will be able to trade with each other and even raid other player’s stations to plunder resources. It’ll probably be somewhat similar to Minecraft’s multiplayer mode.
Overall, Meeple Station is definitely an early access game with plenty of potential. Despite the bugs and game issues, it is a rather fun sandbox game to play where you can build your own space station, explore the galaxy, mine and trade for resources, and manage your team of adorable meeples. If you’re interested, Meeple Station is currently available for purchase on Steam. Check it out!