Merchant

Merchant is one of those plain titles that leaves a lot to the player’s imagination, and that usually means trade, travel, or some form of economic management. By our assessment, the appeal of a game with this name would come from buying, selling, and balancing risk rather than from spectacle. The downside is also baked in: merchant games can turn into bookkeeping if the economy is too dry. In play, that kind of design lives on prices, routes, and small decisions that add up over time instead of on big set pieces. Merchant sits in the business or trading side of games, closer to management and simulation than to action. It is a fit for people who enjoy systems and planning, but not for anyone looking for quick reflexes or a loud presentation.