Can you smell lavender? You should do so, considering the number of planters I’ve placed around my Lavender Station. Ok, this isn’t a botany game as the station in question is a train station – a dilapidated one you’ve taken control of, without having to experience a classic first-person simulation scenario where your gramps has snuffed it and left you their empire. Instead, you have a ickle little station to reopen as numero uno in the land of Wholesomeville.
The introduction was a little ropey, and I could see that immediately; my character was not responding. Ah, but I am God, and I do not control the animals that frequent the platform, though I can interact with things and demo a bit of DIY. The station in question is dinky. There’s a main office and a bench, and that’s about it. A small commuter train will drop off passengers while they wait for the next one, and your role is to capitalise on potential profits by furnishing the place with vending machines, yet also making it a memorable experience.
That’s right, folks, Lavender Station, from Ninoko, is a wholesome game with no element of stress whatsoever, a little like Minami Lane. Even the placement of decorations won’t phase you, as the experience is very dreamy. Money earned from tickets and purchases can then be invested in facilities and decorations, with the option to add a paint shed to add a few colour palettes to your venue. Initially, you’ll be building trash cans to auto-collect the incessant amount of trash dropped by the passengers, as well as a couple of vending machines and shops for additional income; then everything else is aesthetics and – ahem – side quests.
In this preview are a few characters that have a passenger rider listing essential things, from a toilet to a quiet space to write without the influence of scents. No, we’re not talking B.O. or ammonia, but the lavender plants and apricot trees aren’t welcome for those with more sensitive noses like a rabbit. In completing these side quests, you can unlock more items and upgrade them. The upgrades, coincidentally, do not change cosmetically, but allow you to rinse a few more pennies out of the punters and spend more time repairing them. You will do a lot of repairs in Lavender Station, but it’s on par with an effortless clicker, so no stress.
After increasing my platform one strip at a time, I then invested in more space, which allowed for bigger trains to come through, which meant more passengers and more money. It did get a little hectic with more people on the platform as you’re now clicking for repairs, collecting money, and picking up any trash your bins may have missed. In short, there was never a time this felt like a typical idler, and I was 100% invested and ultimately happy. I really liked Lavender Station and am interested to see where it will go next in terms of expansion and additional facilities.
Lavender Station will be available as a playable demo during the Steam Train Fest(!) held from 20th – 27th July.
