VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

 PlayStation 4
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

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  • Summary: Assume the role of a bartender at VA-11 Hall-A, affectionately nicknamed ‘Valhalla.’ Although it is just a small bar in downtown Glitch City, it attracts the most fascinating people this side of dystopia. Keep your clients lubricated and you will be made privy to the most interesting stories.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. PlayStation LifeStyle
    May 8, 2019
    90
    I loved my time with VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action. It’s one of the best visual novels I have played in years and one of the best stories in games this decade. It’s a funny, tragic, stunning adventure unlike anything I’ve played recently.
  2. PlayStation Universe
    May 1, 2019
    90
    Va-11 Hall-A is one of those games that comes out of nowhere and blindsides you with what it has to say. It beats the hearts and minds of the creators in special ways all while delivering a wonderful stylized world through its unique list of characters. Despite its few shortcomings and hefty reading, Va-11 Hall-A offers up something all its own rarely found in this industry.
  3. Game Revolution
    May 1, 2019
    90
    Despite having a story that is filled with cybernetically enhanced people trying to cope with their dystopian life that is blurred more than ever due to lifelike artificial intelligence, VA-11 Hall-A is remarkably human in its nature.
  4. Gamers Heroes
    May 1, 2019
    80
    VA-11 Hall-A’s fresh take on the visual novel genre makes the jump to consoles with relative ease. Those that don’t mind the occasional bit of salty language will find a cyberpunk adventure that will captivate you to the very end.
  5. Cultured Vultures
    May 6, 2019
    80
    While it’s not the most immediate of games and probably won’t appeal to those who want constant stimulation and action, VA-11 HALL-A has a tonne of heart that cannot be denied and a lot more depth than you may initially realise, all backed by razor-sharp writing.
  6. Push Square
    May 3, 2019
    80
    A charming visual novel about tending a cyberpunk bar, VA-11 HALL-A is a genuinely fantastic title. A focused, neon-drenched art direction, paired with incredible music and razor-sharp writing, the game is great if you’re new to, or curious about, visual novels. The writing’s deft handling of darker or more taboo subjects makes for a compelling title with a varied cast of characters that each bring something unique.
  7. Jeuxvideo.com
    May 15, 2021
    65
    To prepare an excellent Visual Novel cocktail, we particularly need a very good writing quality, varied narrative paths and the ability to transport ourselves to a world with a unique atmosphere. On these points VA-11 Hall-A is very convincing. But where the recipe turns sour, it is in the inability of the game to renew its gameplay and its sequences.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. Polycount2084
    Jul 5, 2019
    10
    Great fun, good narrative. The world-building is fantastic and after it finished I wanted to see more of the world. If you're a fan of theGreat fun, good narrative. The world-building is fantastic and after it finished I wanted to see more of the world. If you're a fan of the Cyberpunk genre, you will have a blast.… Expand
  2. Digiclone
    Jul 1, 2021
    10
    story: Following a bartender's work routine has never been more fun. The secret? It takes place in a cyberpunk universe where you receive thestory: Following a bartender's work routine has never been more fun. The secret? It takes place in a cyberpunk universe where you receive the most unusual and absurd customers with hilarious and touching stories to tell.

    gameplay: In addition to the basic "press a button to advance the dialogue" which is the standard for visual novels you can also enjoy an interesting system of making drinks, playing a mini game of bullet hell in your free time and even a truth or dare in a special situation.

    art: The game has beautiful sprites and scenarios that blend perfectly with the cyberpunk theme

    soundtrack: There is a lot of music available from the beginning to play in the bar and it is still possible to unlock more!! If you like cyberpunk you can expect much more than the classic synthwave.    … Expand
  4. GhostRacon
    Jul 20, 2020
    8
    This is one of my first visual novels, and I loved it. A good story, likable characters, and nice graphics
  5. SWERY_51
    May 14, 2019
    8
    People needs to understand that this is mainly a Visual Novel, which means 95% of the game is based on reading dialogues. From time to timePeople needs to understand that this is mainly a Visual Novel, which means 95% of the game is based on reading dialogues. From time to time there will be a mini-game where you need to make cocktails for your customers (as you play as a bartender), but that's it. If you don't want to read, this game is not for you!

    Otherwise the story is really nice and full of interesting characters. Dialogues can be very crude sometimes and there is a dark cyberpunk atmosphere. The graphics are in 2D retro style and looks like an old-school Amiga 500 game, you can even activate a scanlines filter if you like. Music is good and you will have to manage the jukebox by selecting 12 tracks from a list.

    I really enjoy playing it before i go to bed as it's kind of relaxing. The only negative point is that you can't save whenever you want, but only when you go home after work or when you have a break, which means that sometimes you will have to play for about 20 minutes before being able to save. But once you know it, it's not that annoying actually.    … Expand
  6. DinoBeam
    Jul 30, 2022
    4
    This is a visual novel that has a strong deviant-art—anime-conventioner—somber vibe, and no choice of what your depressed character says. TheThis is a visual novel that has a strong deviant-art—anime-conventioner—somber vibe, and no choice of what your depressed character says. The choice of what drink you make effects dialogue and story slightly, though you never notice that payoff when you play, you have to look up what would happen with different drinks to feel like you had any effect. One character will only open up to you if you serve this one type of drink he doesn’t order, and there’s no knowing that without a guide. I stalled out. The art style is nice though.… Expand
  7. Syntheticproduc
    Jun 12, 2019
    3
    Allright, so this is NOT a game, more like a visual novel. Fine, I can try new things. I have been warned.

    However, whoever wrote this game    Allright, so this is NOT a game, more like a visual novel. Fine, I can try new things. I have been warned.

    However, whoever wrote this game has never been in a bar in their whole life. Dialogue is cringy and unrealistic. Characters try to use fancy words, but it falls flat. Conversations last forever with a client at a time. Does the bartender has nothing to do all day? There are never ever more than two clients at a time? Fine, its a slow night, every night. Sure. It would have been more realistic if sometimes the game juggled with 2-3 clients.

    Asked for refund. Got some potential, but was not convinced.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best PS4 Game of 2019