An upcoming Whitehorn Games title called Onsen Master lets players run their own Japanese-style hot spring in both single player and co-op mode.
An upcoming title from Whitethorn Games, called Onsen Master, lets players run their own hot spring while curing patrons of their ailments and dealing with yokai. Onsens are natural hot springs located throughout Japan, created by the actively volcanic climate. Inns are built around them, so customers can enjoy both indoor and outdoor onsens to rejuvenate themselves.
Whitethorn Games is an indie game publisher, with a focus on releasing games with a cute, comforting, and low-stress vibe. One of its previous titles is Calico, where players design a cat café and can pet and hug any animal they find. Other games include Evan’s Remains, StarCrossed, Beasts of Maravilla Island, and many more games that all have adorable art styles and easy-going gameplay. Onsen Master will be yet another charming addition to Whitethorn’s already impressive roster of games.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Related: Pokémon Fan Shares Beautiful Homemade Cubone Terrarium
Onsen Master, developed by Waking Oni Games, is a title where players run a hot spring in their master’s absence, dealing with both human and yokai patrons who all want to take a bath. As reported by Game Rant, players will assume the role of Mu, an apprentice onsen keeper attempting to keep everything running smoothly while the onsen master is missing. However, players who want to skip the story can also play in arcade mode, where the player can choose a level and see how long they can maintain their onsen. Both the arcade and story mode can be played in either single player or 2-player co-op. In addition to creating mixtures of bath water that will help customers feel their best, players must deal with trickster yokai throwing a wrench into things. As seen from the trailer and game art, popular yokai from Japanese folklore such as kitsune, kappa, and possibly a Gashadokuro will be featured in-game.
Onsen Master Puts Players in Charge of a Hot Spring Full of Yokai
Onsen Master’s game art design is done in a chibi anime style, similar to Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, with cute designs and bright playful colors. The art and overall relaxing aesthetic brought by running a traditional Japanese-style onsen fit perfectly into the cute, comforting, and stress-free games that Whitethorn Games aims to publish. Whether players wish to go through Onsen Master alone or with a friend, players have a variety of tasks to handle and ways to play.
Maintaining a regular onsen is no simple task, but the addition of yokai running about and looking for a missing master will certainly make this game more challenging and fun. Players will have their hands full balancing chores, customer service, and battling monsters. Onsen Master will be available on September 1st for Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Game Rant
