I’ll be straight with you: Booze Masters: Freezing Moonshine is one of those games you just have to play to believe. It’s like a wild trip without leaving your couch. As a game fanatic, I’ve seen my fair share of unusual titles, but this one? It nails the “just roll with it” vibe. So, forget what you think you know about normal games, and let’s dive into this freeze-fest where every sip of your drink makes the impossible, well, possible.
The Eerie Eastern European Motel Experience
Picture this: You’re Quella, a wannabe internet star, and you land in this motel that’s seen better days. It’s cold, it’s nearly empty, but hey, it’s got character. Owned by a snowman named Zero Karoten (no, I’m not making this up), the La Sorpresa Motel is your unlikely new home.
But ol’ Zero isn’t just a decoration – he’s got an ego bigger than his snowball body, and he wants the chilliest vodka on earth. So obviously, it’s up to you to make that happen. But why? Well, because the game said so, and in truth, that’s part of the charm.
A Farm in a Snowstorm? Sure!
Most farming games will have you soaking up the sun. Not this one. You’ll plant seeds in the dead of winter and – wouldn’t you know it – they grow super-fast. With a few tools from your slightly tipsy buddy, Doctor Professor, and some hands-on lessons from Jerry and his homemade moonshine setup, you’re set to become the best unconventional farmer-slash-distiller around.
The Moonshine Making Process: A Labor of DIY Love
This is where the game shines. Picking your recipe, getting your hands dirty grinding ingredients, and watching as your concoction turns from a bunch of stuff in a grinder into top-class moonshine – it’s oddly satisfying. And yes, it’s sort of educational in a “I-will-never-do-this-in-real-life” way.
You gotta keep things cool or warm during fermentation, which is like a mini-game in itself. Then you distill it and cross your fingers no leaks pop up (they will – it’s a game), which you fix with a good old hammer smack. Simple, right? When you’re done, you’ll line up bottles and fill them with the good stuff. If you mess things up, though, it’s back to square one. But honestly, that’s part of the fun.
When Drinking Helps You See… Literally
Here’s the twist – Quella’s moonshine isn’t just for kicks. Some sips let you see parts of the world that were invisible before. It’s like the drinks give you superpowers to explore new places and keep the story rolling. It gets you thinking: What else is hidden around here?
Upgrades, Gadgets, and Lore
As you sip and farm, you stumble across these nifty things called “doodads.” Grab enough, and you can deck out your farm with new crops and stuff. Find the rarer “mega doodads,” and Quella can soup up her Moonshine HQ.
The more you play, the more you’re hooked to find everything and figure out the why of the La Sorpresa locals. Upgrades make farming less of a chore and more of a futuristic sci-fi flick. Plus, there’s a drone later on. Who doesn’t like drones?
The Rough Edges
Alright, a little level with you – Booze Masters has some quirks. The people in the game? They won’t be winning any awards for their liveliness. They have the emotional range of a teaspoon. And their voices? They could use a shot of energy, like someone stuck in a flatline.
Let’s talk about Jerry. He’s helpful at first, explaining how to make moonshine, but after a while, you’ll hear his instructions in your dreams. “Lift the barrel,” whispering in your nightmares. It gets old, fast.
And poor Quella’s streaming career takes a backseat as the game goes on. The story forgets about her fans, and so will you. But weirdly, that’s not a big deal – the rest of the game is too engaging.
There’s also a part later in the game where things get confusing – I couldn’t move forward, couldn’t figure out where to snap a crucial photo. The game left me hanging. I’m hoping for an online guide soon so I can jump back in.
How does it work on Steam Deck?
Playing on the Steam Deck? You’ll need to tweak settings to find that sweet spot between performance and battery life. Dropping the graphics a bit gets you a smoother ride. It’s a fussy little game, but it’s worth it.
Verdict
Despite these little gripes, Booze Masters: Freezing Moonshine is like a plate of strange food – you’re not sure what you’re eating, but it’s fascinating. You’ve got hilarious characters (even if they could be more lively), endless tasks to keep you engaged, and a mystery to unravel.
Think of it as a game that’s not afraid to be different, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. So if you’re up for the challenge and the laughs, get ready to lift that barrel. And who knows? By the time you’re done, you might just feel like you can distill moonshine in your sleep.
7.5/10 – For the adventurer at heart with a love of the weird and a forgiving eye for the rough edges.
