Sunday, 25 February 2018

The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #2

Last weekend I premiered a new series of posts centred on the build-up to the wedding of the Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher. With their big day one week closer, it's time to share another fine memory from their adventures this past year.

And this time we are returning to the summer, when our favourite couple went into business together.

Summer market stall - summer 2017

The outdoor area of my restaurant was headlined by Action Chef Lee and his BBQ Island, but a corner was reserved for Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher who had set up a Jam Stand having slaved over a pan of fruit for ages the night before. Yes, fresh jam and marmalade too! All very tasty and locally made!

But the Frisbee Dog and Lake Dog felt they could top this and so decided to cobble together a Produce Stand. Why buy a jar of jam when you can make your own?! Apples, oranges, lemons and much more to create your own unique and groovy jam or for preparing a delicious tart. Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher did well, but on this occasion I think the two pooches did better!

Next: Memory #3 - Fifth Anniversary party

Saturday, 24 February 2018

Suggestions Box (Feb 2018)

Every month I list five things I'd like to see added, altered or abolished from the game. Because even though my long time of playing Restaurant Story clearly shows I love it, that doesn't mean it's perfect. Some of the ideas I'll air will be significant game changers while others will be low-key and irrelevant in the eyes of many of you readers.

You can share your own suggestions too via the comments. If I like them, I may even include them in the next instalment!

In no particular order, here are this month's entries...

Chinese New Year 2018 goals content report

The magic themed goals are now in full flow, but that doesn't mean we can't step back and have a review of the previous quest. The Chinese New Year goals concluded on Tuesday, with a number of items unlocked exclusively via the numerous steps.

Introduction to Chinese New Year 2018 goals

The structure of the various tasks was as per usual, and that meant the torturous opening step which calls for requests to be sent out to neighbours for an item. This obstacle has been ever-present in the 15 day goal sets since the Christmas batch, so we best get used to it!

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Magical goals (in full)

Please note that this set of goals expired on Thursday 8th March 2018.

This most recent update included a range of new content, some of which could only be unlocked by completing a set of goals. And so here we are!

We have a magical and mythical theme to enjoy, with four floor decorations, two appliances and six recipes all awaiting discovery. You've got the standard 15 days to get through the complete goal set, so expect them to expire on Thursday 8th March.

Here is the complete list of steps:
Bonus goals: 'Adventures Beyond Compare' (unlocks after Step 4):

Game update: 22/02/18

Last week there was love in the air, and this week there is magic in the air...

Introduction to magical themed goals

The clipboard is back, with a magical theme as we turn our backs on winter. Let's dive straight in with a traditional list of fresh content:

Tables:
  • Mushroom Table - 18,000 coins
Chairs:
  • Mushroom Chair - 16,000 coins
Floor decorations:
  • Rearing Unicorn - 25,000 coins
  • Faerie Helpers - locked by goal
  • Wishing Well - locked by goal
  • Enchanted Forest - locked by goal
Wallpapers:
  • Mysterious Forest - 6,000 coins
Floor tiles:
  • Thaumaturgic Tile - 5,200 coins
Appliances:
  • Enchanted Stove - locked by goal
  • Faerie Fountain - locked by goal
Counters:
  • Mystical Counter - 17,000 coins

So we have 11 additions to the game, including two appliances which each house three recipes. Those two cookers and three of the floor decorations can only be accessed by making your way through the goals, more details of which can be found here.

I always find this to be a fun time of the Restaurant Story year - we've just completed the seasonal stretch and now the game's developers can throw off the shackles and do as they please with regard to themes. And they've done just that here with a seemingly random theme focusing on magic in nature. It's a subject with plenty of scope, and I think Storm8 have done a pretty good job of it.

Take the Mysterious Forest wallpaper for example. It shows tall trees and ferns, all with a clever green filter applied. This monochromatic effect has a significant impact since it really adds a sense of foreboding which allows the wallpaper to live up to its name. And yet it still carries some flexibility - I can see this being a popular choice for outdoor scenes in the coming months.

The Thaumaturgic Tile could hardly be more different with its bold design. I hope I wasn't alone in having to look up the meaning of 'thaumaturgic'! I discovered that it means a miracle and it will certainly be a miracle if I ever spell it correctly at the first attempt! The tile itself doesn't appear to follow any particular pattern, with seemingly random squiggles of light blue on a purple base. I'm sure it will come in handy for someone someday, but right now I'm struggling to think of where it could be used.

Meanwhile there's no doubting where you'd use the Mushroom Table and Mushroom Chair. Both bright blue, these furniture items will do a great job sprucing up your spring scene. They'll also go perfectly with the red Toadstool pair. Admittedly the existing table and chair are for gems so only a smattering of players will already have them, but at least we have a variation now available for purchase that has a coin price tag.

The Mystical Counter takes a different approach, with the wonders of nature replaced by an enticing and maybe mysterious unknown. Concentric circles of alternating tints of blue are the order of the day on the counter surface, with curly legs making this look more like a table. The only concern here is that when the customers are served their meal may just be sucked into an alternative universe!

The last of the new stuff which can be bought from the off is the Rearing Unicorn, a 2x2 sized floor decoration. I felt straightaway that this was an item we'd seen before in some capacity, but the only unicorn I can track down in the game is the Ice Unicorn from January 2017, and that took a slightly different form. It's out first unfrozen unicorn! She's mounted on a rounded pedestal which is a little frustrating since it rather limits what you can do with her, but nevertheless it's a safe inclusion for a magical and mythical theme.

That's everything which can be purchased from the outset covered then. It's certainly an intriguing update and goes into the 'so far so good' category. I'm in no doubt that the recipes will let us down statistically, but hopefully the prizes up for grabs can overcome that and make this a winning update!

Saturday, 17 February 2018

The Wedding of Miss Parasol and Mr Fisher: Memory #1

If you read my post last weekend providing a tour of my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, you'll be well aware of the big news. But if you haven't a quick recap - two mainstays of my place, the Playful Parasol and Lake Fisher, are getting married! Mr Fisher popped the question under the Eiffel Tower, a year after the couple first met.

The wedding is pencilled in for Saturday 21st April, and preparations are already underway. Invites will be going out in the near future, but over the next few weeks I'll be recalling memories of this power couple as we countdown to their big day.

And where better to start than with their initial meeting?

Love at first sight - Valentine's Day 2017

Thursday, 15 February 2018

Valentine's Day 2018 showcase

Where is the love? In your wonderful restaurants of course! It's Valentine's Day and my neighbours have marked it in style with some proper lovey-dovey settings. Here I proudly present five of them in a bumper showcase.

So let's crack right on with it, starting with a fifth showcase appearance for Cafe Lula.

Cafe Lula

Monday, 12 February 2018

The five year milestone

On Tuesday 12th February 2013 I welcomed everyone aboard for an adventure. Five years later and the Restaurant Story Adventures blog is still bobbing along, having enjoyed and endured the crest and trough of many a wave.

I've come a long way since launch day when I noted 14 pageviews within the first few minutes of the blog going live, only to then discover that those were all by me as I admired my handiwork! Back in July 2017 the one million marker was passed, and with this being my 665th post, that means I've averaged a new post every 2.7 days over the past half decade.

Writing this blog has been such a positive experience, and has led me to meet some wonderful neighbours within the game. Admittedly I am not quite as enthusiastic with it as I was even a year ago, but that is largely a consequence of the game itself losing some of its charm with the continuous goals grind.

However I promised myself a very long time ago that I would be there the day that support was pulled on Restaurant Story. And I don't break promises. Whether it be next week, next month or (god forbid!) another five years away, rest assured I'll be there providing my exhaustive and flowery analysis.

Enjoy the rest of your day one and all!

Sunday, 11 February 2018

Valentine's Day at The Garlic Tree

Valentine's Day is this coming Wednesday, so hopefully you've got something romantic lined up for your loved one. If not you could always swing by my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, where there's that glorious hint of love in the air.

When you first arrive there's an opportunity to take a Gondola Ride.

Gondola lake at The Garlic Tree

Upon an intimate lake, you'll be able to relax and unwind with your other half while the gondolier steers around Lotus Flowers and Turtle Stacks. There are also Flamingos in situ, with the Sea Trainer ensuring that they get their feed. The Kissing Swans is a fitting accompaniment to the gondola lake, with two swans sharing an affectionate moment.

Saturday, 10 February 2018

Game update: 10/02/18

What is this, an update on a Saturday?! Love is finally blossoming in Restaurant Story with a massive sale featuring a wide range of related decor from throughout the years.

Notification for Valentine's Day 2018 sale

This isn't actually the first weekend update the game has seen. Indeed it's not even the first Valentine's Day themed weekend update - back in 2013 goals were released on a Sunday, and in June 2011 there was a meagre update on a Saturday. Nevertheless it is a very rare thing.

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Chinese New Year 2018 goals (in full)

Please note that this set of goals expired on Tuesday 20th February 2018.

Chinese New Year is not far away, and here is a new set of goals on that very theme introduced alongside the latest update.

It's the usual structure, so that means we have four floor decorations, two appliances and six recipes all waiting patiently for you to unlock them. This quest is the only way to get hold of them, so be sure to get it done before the clock runs out on Tuesday 20th February.

Here is the complete list of steps:
Bonus goals: 'Year of the Dog' (unlocks after Step 4):

Game update: 06/02/18

After I'd gone to my bed last night a new update landed in Restaurant Story, providing us an opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Introduction to Chinese New Year 2018 goals

It's the third time Chinese New Year has been given the treatment in the game, with the previous editions coming in 2014 and 2016. Both of those were released in January, meaning that this is by some distance the latest one we've seen.

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Glow party goals content report

Another set of goals have concluded, and from my perspective they have produced a historic moment. More on that later...

So what did I think of this quest? Well, I guess I could simply say see one of my Suggestions Box entries from last weekend! After all these goals followed the same old structure yet again. I can't deny that the format has become tiresome and monotonous, and consequently I don't feel that surge of excitement when an update is released anymore.

This particular update focused on a glow party theme - at least it's something a bit different! The content which was available right from the outset really impressed me, with some stuff which is very much unique (at least within the confines of Restaurant Story). The Illuminated Tiles caught my attention the most, but the Luminescent Chair and Glowing Jar Display were not far behind.

Saturday, 3 February 2018

RS2 News (Feb 2018)

We're into a new month, and that means it's time once again for a rundown of all the goings-on in the sequel title, Restaurant Story 2. The period since my last round-up has not been all that frantic - this is largely a quirk of the timing, with two cruise events and a batch of goals from the ever dependable Lani.

The first of those cruises saw actor Kevin Bacon being immortalised in the game as Kevin B. Acken. What an honour for the guy, the second occasion homage has been paid to him! But the last time it was a a goal set, so technically speaking this bacon themed cruise event was not a repeat.

Introduction to bacon themed cruise event

Friday, 2 February 2018

Chocolate Maker goals (in full)

Please note that this set of goals expired on Tuesday 6th February 2018.

As Valentine's Day approaches I daresay the love of your life would really appreciate some homemade chocolates. So now is your chance to learn!

This is a flash goal set, which means that it runs for just five days from kick off. Therefore you can expect it to expire on Tuesday 6th February. There are four steps, with the Chocolate Maker the central appliance in each of the batches of tasks. Three new recipes have been added to this cooker and can only be obtained via this quest, and the same can be said for the final prize.

So here it is, the 'Be My Valentine' goals in full:

Note that Part 4 includes the cooking of the Chocolate Fondue and Artichoke Hearts (both Basic Stove) among its requirements, and these are both 22 hour efforts - therefore make sure you reach Part 4 with at least a day left on the clock!


 Part 1

  • Serve 10 Chocolate Kisses ... this is found on the Basic Stove and takes 2 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 10 Heart Pizzas ... this is found on the Basic Oven and takes 3 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 10 Heart Steaks ... this is found on the Basic Grill and takes 2 hours to prepare.
  • Build 2 Chocolate Makers ... these cost 10,000 coins each and requires 10 Screws, 5 Motors, 10 Paint and 5 Nozzles to build. If you have built two copies of this appliance previously then this task will auto-complete.
Part 1
Getting through that opener is worth the Toffee Hearts.

Unlocking of Toffee Hearts
This is the first of three new entries on the Chocolate Maker and is involved in Part 2.


 Part 2

  • Serve 2 Lovely Pancakes ... this is found on the Basic Stove and takes 16 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 4 Chocolate Hearts ... this is found on the Chocolate Maker and takes 8 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 4 Toffee Hearts ... this is found on the Chocolate Maker and takes 8 hours to prepare.
Part 2
Following completion of this step the next dish on the Chocolate Maker loses its padlock.

Unlocking of Cordial Hearts
The Cordial Hearts is another 8 hour recipe and forms a component of Part 3.


 Part 3

  • Serve 6 Valentine Cupcakes ... this is found on the Basic Oven and takes 8 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 6 Chocolate Hearts ... this is found on the Chocolate Maker and takes 8 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 6 Cordial Hearts ... this is found on the Chocolate Maker and takes 8 hours to prepare.
Part 3
After this lot is dealt with the Be Mine Hearts opens up.

Unlocking of Be Mine Hearts
This is another 8 hour recipe and forms a component of Part 4, the concluding step.


 Part 4

  • Serve 5 Chocolate Fondue ... this is found on the Basic Stove and takes 22 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 5 Artichoke Hearts ... this is found on the Basic Oven and takes 22 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 10 Chocolate Hearts ... this is found on the Chocolate Maker and takes 8 hours to prepare.
  • Serve 10 Be Mine Hearts ... this is found on the Chocolate Maker and takes 8 hours to prepare.
Part 4
And once those requirements are satisfied, you will be the proud owner of the Kissing Swans.

A 4x4 sized item, you can find this classic Valentine's piece in the floor decorations tab.

Game update: 01/02/18

Late last night Valentine's descended upon Restaurant Story...

Notification for Chocolate Maker goals

And there's no better way to please your loved one than some sweet choclate! Yes, less than a week after I pulled up Storm8 for some dodgy spelling they're at it again, and this time in a goal notification!

Looking beyond that initial mishap, this is a five day flash quest, so I recommend that you get straight to it. My dedicated post here provides all the details.