Arcane Merchant

About Arcane Merchant

Arcane Merchant is a medieval fantasy shop simulation game from Findie Studios, released in 2026 for PC. You run a store in a whimsical town, selling everything from basic potions to rare artifacts. The game blends resource management with player choice, letting you set prices, restock shelves, and build relationships with quirky customers. It’s a slow-burn simulator where every purchase and interaction nudges your business toward prosperity, or ruin. The setting is cozy and colorful, but the gameplay leans more on steady planning than action. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a magical storefront and thrive on small decisions adding up, this one’s for you.

Gameplay

Each day in Arcane Merchant is a cycle of restocking, pricing, and customer service. You’ll spend hours adjusting inventory to meet demand, like keeping potions in stock during a plague or hoarding crystals when a wizard walks in. Customers range from peasants needing cheap bandages to nobles trading gold for enchanted swords. You can unlock new items by completing town quests or buying from traveling traders. The controls are simple: drag-and-drop items, click to adjust prices, and track profit margins. The challenge lies in balancing cash flow, overcharge and lose customers, undersell and watch profits dwindle. There’s no rush; sessions often stretch into hours of methodical tweaking.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate Arcane Merchant 82%, with 78% from critics. Average playtime is 17 hours, and 42% finish the game. The mood splits into 42% chill, 35% relaxing, and 23% boring. Community reviews highlight the game’s “casual loop of restocking and profit tracking” but note “not enough variety in customer behavior.” Achievement completion is 87%, though the 15 achievements focus on mundane goals like “Sell 500 Potions.” Critics call it “a cozy sim with light strategy,” while some users call it “repetitive.” The low difficulty and lack of time pressure suit idle players, but it lacks depth for hardcore sim fans.

PlayPile's Take

Arcane Merchant works best as a background activity for players who enjoy slow, methodical management without high stakes. It’s not deep, decisions rarely carry weight beyond immediate profit, but it’s smooth and relaxing. At $19.99, it’s a low-risk buy for fans of Stardew Valley’s quieter moments. The 42% completion rate suggests many play it briefly and abandon it, likely due to repetitive gameplay. If you want a chill, color-coded store sim that won’t challenge you, give it a shot. If you crave tension or variety, look elsewhere.

Storyline

Arcane Merchant is a magical store simulation set in the heart of a Medieval Fantasy realm. Explore the town, seize trade opportunities and begin your journey toward wealth. Every decision you make will shape your fortune and the future of your business.