Coffee Talk

Games in the 'visual novel' corner of the industry can often leave you a little cold unless you’re happy to watch an anime with a small amount of actual player interaction, but with its unique premise and interesting take on a fantasy world (think Netflix's Bright, but actually good), Coffee Talk serves up a refreshing brew of angst, introspection and coffee beans. Its hand-crafted story mode is a tad too short for our liking, but with Endless mode you’ll have plenty of fun getting in touch with your inner barista.

If you’re looking to curl up on the couch with a warm drink, Coffee Talk can set the mood and help you pass a few wonderful hours until closing time.

Coffee Talk might not be for everyone and the lack of overt gameplay will likely give some players pause – as it did with me — but my time in this faux-Seattle café was well-spent, and I genuinely hope that the cast returns for a sequel.

Coffee Talk is an absolute joy to play.

Coffee Talk is a game well worth experiencing. The music and art are exceptional, as well as little things like an app that displays more details on clients the more they connect with you. And when the credits rolled, I was saddened there weren’t more nights to complete. (There is a secret ending you can unlock by replaying certain days, though.) As it happened, I grew attached to every single entity that entered my shop, no matter how disparate they were from each other. Making sure everyone ended up happy was my primary goal while playing. If all that sounds as heavenly as hot cocoa, give this hidden gem a try.

While a little bit more challenge in the coffee-making itself would have been beneficial, Coffee Talk presents a relaxing, stylish interactive story experience, serving up a slice of life in a fascinating world that’s similar to our own, yet wildly different.

Coffee Talk is a fun game that offers entertaining conversation and chilled ambiance. For what it’s worth, the game’s setting and premise require very little from the player, but that also takes away the experience of playing a game. I recommend Coffee Talk to anyone interested in a relaxed time on the Switch, even if the choices you make along the way are minimal.

With Coffee Talk however, as with similar experiences such as Neo Cab, taxing gameplay couldn't be further away from a selling point. The real joy is the feeling of interaction and intimate knowledge of every NPC that crosses the threshold. It's very easy to become embroiled in their lives and feel comforted knowing that the small amount of ingredients bundled together has made a difference to them, and might lead to even more forthcoming titbits. A charming and relaxing experience from start to finish, milk it for all its worth.

This copy of VA-11 Hall-A doesn't go deep enough. It swaps the cocktails for coffees and cyberpunk aspects for fantastic contents but without adding new mechanics. The title also doesn't stand out in its representation of society.