Developer: Shady Corner Games
Genre: Match-3
Store: Steam, Itch.io, Kagura Games Store, GOG, ZOOM Platform (Also available for Nintendo Switch)
Reviewed version: Final
Censored: No
Patch Needed: No
OS: Windows
Language: English
Slime Girl Smoothies is a match-2 game where you're put in the shoes of a new manager hired to help the slime girl barmaids prepare cocktails for the customers. Before I start, I want to mention that I was one of the game's beta testers, but that didn't influence my opinion of the game.
Gameplay-wise it's way different than any other game of its genre. There's no RPG-like combat nor "combine gems to fill a bar" game mechanics. Instead, you create the flavors needed for making the drink by dragging and dropping ingredients on a 7x8 empty grid and matching their attributes. However, attributes give less flavor once used in a previous combination, so you need to plan your moves carefully if you want to get the drink done within the 15-turn limit.
New mechanics are introduced as you progress. For example, you can rotate and chop ingredients after you complete a few shifts with Cherry, and special tiles that increase or decrease how much flavor you get from a combination appear during Plum and Mint's shifts. By the way, the shifts with Berry include every mechanic the other girls have as if it were a final boss that uses the attack patterns of their minions.
As for the art, you can tell they put a lot of work into it because it's pretty. The UI is very polished, and the characters and still shots used in the sex scenes are very well done. On another note, the VAs did an excellent job. Aside from making the sex scenes extra raunchy with their moans, the tone of their voices perfectly fits the girls' personalities.
By the way, the soundtrack is so good I found myself starting the game just to listen to it. It features a good variety of tracks whose intensity matches the girl's personality. For example, the short-fused Mint has an upbeat EDM song, while the mature Berry has a slower theme. Not to mention the ubiquitous jazzy track that plays in the raunchier scenes. After all, it's not a proper sex scene without a saxophone playing in the background.
Verdict: As enjoyable as it is original
Slime Girl Smoothies is a fun Match-2 that stands out over other similar games thanks to its original gameplay and beautiful art. Check it out if you're a fan of the genre and you're looking for something different; you won't be disappointed.