Cake Shop is another time-management game sending players to the bakery that stands in line with the recent tendencies in the casual game industry.

Cake Shop starts off by introducing Emily, who is searching for an interesting and challenging job as a Cafe Manager.

The game play is basically typical for all time-management games, though it has some new twists. You have just a show-case with three types of loafs and three types of jam for your cakes and a trash bin.

The in-game tutorial is pretty good, and the rules are simple enough. The strategy is also transparent, and relies mostly on filling up each station as soon as you serve a customer, so your speed never slows down.

You can upgrade the level of your Café. It depends on the fittings you have purchased, and, actually, on the diversity of your menu. And you can buy upgrades based on two other parameters - your Cash and Mastery. In addition to upgrading the shop, you’ll also need to create a home for Emily. The construction raises Emily’s mood, and while she is smiling your customers become more patient.

On the whole, the pacing is pretty good, keeping the player busy but not overwhelmed.

29, January 2009