Targem Games has launched a Steam Page for their upcoming waiter simulator game The Way of the Tray. Set in a fantastical world based on Japanese folklore, help the protagonist work as a waiter to return home. As a waiter in this mythical environment, serve your yokai patrons to find your way home. Inspired by the Japanese culture of “omotenashi,” a belief that no task is too menial so long as it ensures a great experience for the guest, expect working at this restaurant to be tough work. Wait staff is required to stack various trays of food and drink and if a mistake is made, the chef will have your head! Let’s take a look at this novel concept for a waiting simulator experience titled with a delicious rhyme.
Though there’s a lot of walking around serving various yokai and upgrading the restaraunt, the core of the gameplay appears to be a balancing act. Quite literally, The Way of the Tray‘s most important moments will be while holding a tray, collecting food as it falls from the top of the screen. Boasting inspiration from Studio Ghibli films, The Way of the Tray looks gorgeous. The various yokai that will visit, such as demons, kappa, and Tsuchigumo will request desire dishes like onigiri, sushi, and ramen. Manage your time well or the yokai guests will leave unhappy.
The Way of the Tray Key Features
- Dishes from myths and legends – Learn about Japanese culture!
- Mysterious yokai patrons
- Magical restaurant makeover – Improve the interior and service!
- The way of the masterful waiter – Become a master of serving dishes!
Master the skill of serving dishes and earn the trust of the yokai patrons. The Way of the Tray looks tough but fun with a fanciful Japanese aesthetic that compliments the gameplay style. Developer Who is Terry? had this to say about The Way of the Tray:
We chose a Japanese-style setting because of Japan’s rich food culture which we thought would be the perfect setting for a restaurant simulator. Our team is fascinated by Japanese food, with a particular fondness for rich and flavorful ramen! We hope that by playing this game, players from around the world will be able to learn about Japanese culture. This includes the importance of plating, where appearance is often as important as taste, and also the hospitable spirit of “omotenashi” from which the food experience is built upon.
While no official release date has been announced, The Way of the Tray is available for wishlist on their new Steam page. There’s no demo currently but there is the option to request access to join in play tests. Who is Terry? hopes to release The Way of the Tray sometime in 2025. We’ll keep you updated as more news becomes available.
