Image via Aftabi Games
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Among the Wholesome Direct 2025 shadowdrops was Vending Dokan: Kozy Kiosk, an idle simulation about managing vending machines. While there is a game here, it also is a bit like Spirit City: Lofi Sessions in its execution. Yes, we’re running a series of vending machines in a city. However, we’re also maintaining a scenic vista we can look at and listen to when we aren’t actively “playing.”
In Vending Dokan: Kozy Kiosk, we own a vending machine company. That means placing units in spots around the city, hiring staff who can handle things like maintenance, inventory, and repairs. Each one has their own salary, schedule, and you choose if they clean, handle inventory, or repair machines. When at a machine, we choose what it stocks, manage those items, and can clean it up. Our warehouses hold containers of the drinks and snacks we’ve acquired.
But a lot of it seems to be about the vibe. So much that the overall ratings for locations, which are generally based on cleanliness and the vibe, take priority. While there were times when I was stocking and making business decisions, the bulk of the time I would be watching. We aren’t constantly needed in-game. We can step in to more directly decorate and influence things, but the staff seemed confident in the build I played and it does take time for machines to get dirty or need replenishing.
Which was, in general, fine. I played Vending Dokan: Kozy Kiosk on a Lenovo Legion Go handheld gaming PC. It had no problem running it. It generally worked well on there too. This also meant it was an ideal situation to set up a street and let the app run while I took part in other activities. When I would play Rune Factory: Guardians of Azumaahead of the review, I’d have it in the background when resource gathering or doing minor relationship building, and it ended up being a good companion for that. The general street scenes look fine, and are sort of like an urban screensaver.
I think what’s important to know going in to it is to know that Vending Dokan: Kozy Kiosk is more of a casual vending machine management experience. You’re supposed to do some light decorating and set up, then leave the business to its own devices. When I played, I found I could get more involved, but I didn’t need to. Which is fine, as sometimes a more casual sim is exactly what we need.
Vending Dokan: Kozy Kiosk is in early access for the PC via Steam.
Published: Jun 22, 2025 09:00 am