5 Games With the Best Monetary Systems

Never pass the cute kobold selling potions. Some of them may even work!

A well-designed monetary system in a game can provide depth and realism to world-building in a game. Currency can be a primary route towards advancement through the game as you buy new upgrades, and provide an economic simulation that can make the game more realistic. In-game currency can help players to understand decision-making and resource management as they play through their favorite games. 

In this article, I’ll briefly discuss some games with great monetary systems. Admittedly, these are games I’ve played and is rather biased. If you have one you’d like me to try out, then drop a comment and I might add it when I update the article. Let’s start with the most relaxing game there is.

II. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a heartwarming and relaxing farm life simulation game developed by ConcernedApe. It is by far one of my favorite games, with a straightforward path to earning Gold or simply “g.” You will earn gold organically in the game by selling the items produced on your farm or mined in caves. It is a simple system, but it has some nice features.

Most of the gold in Stardew Valley is earned through products made on your farm, with products that require extra processing earning you more gold. You can spend money on improvements for your farm, more seeds to grow your production and unique weapons.

The reason I added this to the list is because the game can teach us about opportunity cost. It’s mid-winter and you are running low on gold. Do you wait and spend it on seeds to earn more this year on the farm, or buy a new weapon to kill slimes in the cave? As a finite resource, it imposes those decisions early on and will affect your yearly farming production. Not to mention, it’s just a stellar game worth trying.

My Stardew stats. I need to play some more!

III. Recettear

This game will put the fear of taking out debt into your heart like no other. The main character Recette has inherited her father’s debt, and a loan shark fairy named Tear shows up from the bank to foreclose on her house. Join the duo in creating an item shop to pay off the debt as it compounds at a breakneck speed. Missing a payment ends your game.

The role of a shopkeeper is a fun simulation for inventory management and tracking special orders. You’ll also have the ability to join adventurers in the looting of dungeons to obtain items to sell in your shop. You’ll also get a chance to practice your visual merchandising by drawing customers into the store based on what you put near the windows.

This game really makes you work hard for their currency known as pix. Meaning every decision you make can hurt you if it is not the most optimized decision. You will need to decide what items you can buy to flip a profit, or if you should hold onto some cash with an upcoming loan payment. This game is mostly a special mention for how unique and focused it is on paying your debt to a loan shark fairy, but I did enjoy playing around in it!

My shop in Recettear. This game is quite stressful.

IV. Cities Skylines

Cities Skylines is a pretty great model for running a healthy economy. Not only do you need to understand revenue and expenses, but think about location and transport networks. The game also reflects higher taxes on properties that are in desirable locations, leading gamers to understand a bit about real estate among other city-wide issues.

There are many ways to obtain ₡ or Cell as it is called in Cities Skylines. You will gain this from taxes, commercial, and industrial activities. It’s pretty easy in fact, and I’ve typically found that Cell is easy to come by if you take your time. I’ll typically deep dive into making a bike path look beautiful while I stockpile money as the city generates revenue.

This game is pretty rooted in realism and can help you to understand the challenges that cities face. For example, how much does it cost to run a bus route? The economic model is certainly more complicated in Cities Skylines compared to other games, and it’s definitely worth exploring if you want to practice with large-scale challenges. 

A growing city in Cities Skylines with transit lines.

V. Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing is known for its Bells, 0% home loans, and the renowned turnip market. As my pandemic comfort game, this one has well earned its place on the list. This starts as you receive a small home loan from Tom Nook to build a home. You will earn bells to pay off the loan and expand your home. The game tracks the calendar date and season with the passing of time matching our own. Due to this, the game imposes a slow and steady approach to interacting with the world.

Bells are primarily earned from collecting items to sell at Tom Nook’s store. This can be fishing, picking fruit, or collecting tarantulas on islands. It’s all quite a cottage core. The biggest return will likely be from the Turnip Market. This is facilitated by purchasing Turnips on Sundays from Daisy Mae and then selling them within a week. These can be sold at tom’s shop any day of the week until they rot, with the price fluctuating each day. It is certainly the best way to make money, and you can always ask your friends for their turnip price and sell on their island.

Ever notice that Cyn was holding a bag of Bells in this vintage blog art?

VI. Grand Theft Auto

The Grand Theft Auto series features a dynamic in-game economy that sets it apart, immersing players in an expansive criminal underworld. In this virtual environment, wealth isn't just a means to an end; it's the lifeblood of the player's criminal empire. Unlike traditional games, GTA encourages players to amass their fortunes through various illicit activities, contributing to the vibrant and gritty atmosphere of the game world.

Money in Grand Theft Auto is more than a currency; it's the key to a lavish criminal lifestyle. From executing daring heists to acquiring contraband, financial success opens doors to new criminal opportunities, symbolized by high-end assets like penthouses and exotic vehicles. The player's choices in accumulating wealth directly impact their status and influence within the game, creating a dynamic narrative where success and consequence intertwine.

In Grand Theft Auto, financial decisions carry substantial weight and consequences, shaping the overall gameplay experience. Whether players choose risky criminal ventures or opt for a safer, more strategic approach, every choice influences their criminal empire's trajectory. The dynamic economy forces players to prioritize and strategize, adding layers of complexity to the gameplay. As players navigate the virtual cities, they aren't just engaging in criminal activities; they are economic architects, making impactful decisions that shape the narrative of crime, power, and consequence.

Reflecting on In-Game Economies

In revisiting Stardew Valley, Recettear, Cities Skylines, Animal Crossing, and Grand Theft Auto, each game stands out with its unique monetary system. From farming in Stardew Valley to criminal enterprises in Grand Theft Auto, the diversity in in-game economies offers players varied and immersive experiences.

The influence of these monetary systems on player engagement and enjoyment is evident. Whether players are strategizing in Recettear, building cities in Cities Skylines, or navigating criminal pursuits in Grand Theft Auto, the monetary systems serve as integral elements that enhance the overall gaming experience, keeping players invested in the virtual worlds they explore.

The significance of well-designed in-game economies cannot be overstated. They contribute not only to the realism and immersion of the gaming experience but also play a pivotal role in shaping player decision-making, progression, and the overall narrative. A carefully crafted monetary system adds depth and complexity to games, making them not just interactive environments but dynamic worlds where players' choices matter and financial strategy is key to success.