Dust off your mortar and pestle and pick some fresh herbs out of your imaginary allotment, because Potion Craft is coming to PS5 and PS4. If you’re anything like this author, you’ll be sick to the stomach of crafting mechanics in tentpole AAA games, but this critically acclaimed Medieval mix-‘-em-up makes alchemy its main mechanic. What could possibly go wrong?!

Well, as it turns out, not a lot, because this has been a huge hit on PC. Your goal is to brew up concoctions based on the requests of your customers, and head out into the wilderness in search of ingredients, enabling you to cook up all-new recipes. You’ve got to really listen to your patrons, and come up with tonics that will not only solve their problems but also fit their specific needs.

Interestingly, there’s also a bartering mechanic here, so you can haggle for coins depending upon the complexity of the requests and the desperation of your clients. The way you deal with your customers will also affect the clientele you attract: an honourable and noble store will generally attract nicer customers, although a shady shop will naturally appeal to ne’er-do-wells.

It’s all presented in a lovely, hand-drawn style, which isn’t the typical type of thing you tend to see on consoles – but it’s clearly got a lot of charm and personality. There’s no firm release window beyond the wishy-washy promise of Spring 2023, but this will surely be another one to keep an eye on as the New Year nears.

[source blog.playstation.com]