Inkonbini: One Store, Many Stories is a cozy narrative adventure game that simulates the daily life of a store clerk in a Japanese convenience store during the early 90s. Developed by Nagai Industries, a game development company based in Tokyo, the game captures the essence of the era through its realistic portrayal of daily tasks such as stocking goods, making deliveries, and interacting with customers.
As the player, you start your day by receiving a list of tasks to be completed before the store opens. During the game, you’ll encounter various customers, each with their own unique stories to tell. For example, I met an elderly man who noticed that I forgot to remove the bread loaves from the fridge. He then asked me to help him find dietary meals for his constipated cat. This simple interaction led to a more personal dialogue, where he revealed the struggles in his personal life. It was a touching moment that promises more of these charming individual stories throughout the game.
Playing Inkonbini is a relaxing experience that can even bring you into a meditative state at times. Dima Shen, the game’s creator, noted the traditional concept of ichi-go ichi-e, which means “reflecting the transient nature of life and the hidden importance of its every single moment.” This concept comes across well when playing Inkonbini.
Inkonbini: One Store, Many Stories was shown publicly for the first time at the id@Xbox GDC showcase and is scheduled to be released digitally on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch in early 2025.
