New Steam game reimagines Stardew Valley with a JojaMart twist

A new title has quietly emerged on Steam and consoles, offering a fresh spin on the cozy-life genre. Discounty, developed by Crinkle Cut Games and published by PQube, abandons the traditional farm fields of Stardew Valley and instead drops players into the fluorescent aisles of a struggling discount supermarket.

Released on August 21, 2025, the game is available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Its pixel-art visuals and relaxed atmosphere may suggest a simple, wholesome experience, yet the narrative digs into themes of economic decline and small-town struggles. Players inherit the responsibility of running a store from Aunt Tellar, a sharp-tongued businesswoman whose ruthless decisions, including abruptly firing staff, set the tone for a world where survival often comes before sentiment.

The gameplay loop blends time-management pressure with community engagement. Players must order supplies, stock shelves, and man the checkout while impatient customers line up, threatening to leave if the pace slows. The cashier system even requires calculating totals, a detail that adds both charm and challenge, though some have found it fiddly on controller or touchscreen. Beyond the mechanics, the story expands into the surrounding town: negotiating with suppliers, uncovering secrets, managing local disputes, and confronting the impact of business decisions on the community.

Where Stardew Valley asks players to nurture crops, Discounty asks them to balance profit and responsibility. Shelves once filled with games and essentials now stand cluttered with collectibles, reflecting a broader commentary on shifting consumer habits. The pixel setting, though cozy, portrays a harbor town scarred by decay, abandoned shops, and fading posters, adding a layer of melancholy to the otherwise cheerful surface.

Early reception has been strong. In its launch week the game amassed nearly 500 user reviews on Steam, with around 80 percent rating it positively. Critics highlight its ability to capture the “just one more day” spell that farming sims are known for, while adding the intrigue of workplace drama and small-town politics. The campaign spans 15 to 20 hours, enough to give depth to its characters and narrative without overstaying its welcome.

Discounty ultimately succeeds by turning the cozy formula upside down. Instead of tilling fields, players stock aisles; instead of cultivating crops, they cultivate community ties under pressure. With its mix of humor, tension, and subtle social critique, it offers both a refreshing change of pace and a reminder that even the coziest settings can carry sharp edges.