Cart Life: Live A Simulated Hard Life

Cart Life is a 2D retail simulation game developed by Richard Hofmeier. There are three playable characters in game, each one of them have their own story, challenge, addiction and specialties. You have to control the character and overcome their struggles.

Cart Life has won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and Nuovo Award in the 2013 Independent Games Festival.

One of the playable characters is Melanie Emberly, a recent divorce single mom who really cares about her daughter. She runs a coffee shop, and has to take care of her daughter at the same time. Her goal is to make at least one thousand dollars in sales by custody hearing on Monday. And because she cares about her daughter so much, she has the need to maintain a good relationship with her daughter.

The other playable character is Andrus Poder, an immigrant from Ukraine hoping to start a new life. He runs a newspaper stand that sells the local newspaper, The Georgetownian. He lives in a Motel with his beloved cat, Mr Glembovski. His goal is to find a place to live by Monday, and find enough money to sign the lease. He is a heavy smoker, therefore he will cough and constantly carves for cigarettes.

The last character is Vinny, this character only available in the Everything Edition, it can be purchase for $5 off the developer's site. He is the owner of a bagel cart, an excellent baker who can make a variety of bagels to sell. He’s addicted to caffeine, without caffeine, he will walk slower and fatigued.

I found this game refreshing since it didn’t aim for exciting gameplay, like any other usual game. It really shows the griping reality of life. The game came along with an awesome soundtrack, and a black and white 8-bit graphics. Some may dislike the black and white graphics, but I really like it, cause it sets off the monotony of everyday life.