It’s a bit weird to say this, but it seems like goblins are pretty popular right now. While I personally like to thank the series Hellier for that, in truth it’s probably just because the little fantasy characters can be pretty cute. It makes sense to put them into a cozy game like Trash Goblin, a wholesome shopkeeping sim where players uncover, repair, and clean trinkets before upcycling them and selling to customers. The game was just announced today alongside a trailer, and will be launching on Kickstarter soon.
Take on the role of a Goblin running a business out of an antique store’s back room, located in a busy fantasy town. Chip through lumps of dirt and other questionable materials in search of hidden treasures. You can find all sorts of items, like discarded toys, forgotten knick-knacks, broken contraptions, and even ancient artifacts. Then combine their component pieces to make something new, which you can sell to one of the many customers you’ll meet. It’s not all about the money, though. It’s about the thrill of finding something new and sharing with customers. While selling to customers, you’ll learn about their lives and their dreams for the future.
Players can choose how to spend each day. There are no skill gates and no time pressures. Spend all day chatting with customers, or rearranging the workspace, or fiddling with Trinkets. The customers are generated endlessly, keeping the shop moving forward. When you make some money, you can upgrade your existing tools or buy new ones that unlock more ways to work on Trinkets, making them worth even more money. The back room space can be expanded and decorated with items you’ve discovered or purchased.
Developed and published by Spilt Milk Studios, Trash Goblin will be released for PC via Steam in 2024.
