by As we mentioned a few hours ago, there are no less than four brand-new releases arriving across various tiers of Xbox Game Pass today, and one of them is the "cozy slice-of-life game" known as InKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories.
This is a game we included in our indie roundup at the start of April, so we've been very keen to see how it would turn out, and the good news is that the first reviews for it are very positive - they're all 8/10 and 9/10s on Metacritic so far.
Let's take a look at what the reviews are saying about it, shall we?
MonsterVine (9/10)
"inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories is a beautifully chill and heartfelt game that really teleports you to a whole different time and place. The many small stories that customers pull you into are wonderful, while the gameplay is as satisfying as it gets. Outside of some typos and grammatical issues that are spread throughout, this is easily one of my favorite games of 2026 so far."
Retcon Magazine (9/10)
"Despite some small missteps along the way, inKONBINI never wears out its welcome and remains a delightful experience from start to finish. It’s a game that perfectly captures the wistful longing of the 90s. A reminder of a time when being analog was a way of life, not just an aesthetic or a vibe. Slow down, and you just might start being able to appreciate the beauty of imperfection, too."
Checkpoint Gaming (8/10)
"inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories is a delightful, bite-sized exploration of finding beauty in the mundane and the importance of being kind. The setting feels intimate, like an episode from a slice-of-life anime. While the cast of characters is small, they are each equally as enjoyable to get to know, and their stories feel real and relatable. The simple gameplay style is satisfying, and the small touches, such as sticky notes from the day shift commending the work done on the night shift, brought a whole world of unseen characters to life."
Steam Deck HQ (8/10)
"inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories is quite possibly one of the most relaxing, heartfelt games I’ve played this year. The laid-back feeling of stalking the store, while talking to and getting to know the intriguing customers, is great. The gameplay is on the basic side, but it still feels enjoyable. There are some little nuisances here and there, but nothing takes away from how great it is to relax and play."
InKONBINI is off to a great start, then, and if you fancy checking it out on Xbox Game Pass, it's available right now for both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members (across Xbox One, Series X, Series S and PC).
Alternatively, you can pick it up for the pretty low price of £19.99 / $24.99, while a separate Yojoki Masters Supporters Pack adds some extra costumes and Yojoki Masters Manga (readable inside the game) if you want to pay a bit more.
We'll leave you with more details and screenshots for InKONBINI down below.
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories is a cozy slice-of-life game about running a small-town convenience store, inspired by early 1990s Japan. Meet regulars, stock shelves, and watch quiet, everyday moments turn into meaningful stories.