VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

 Switch
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Nintendo Life
    Jun 18, 2019
    70
    For visual novel fans, VA-11 HALL-A is definitely refreshing and distinctive enough to be worth your time. It’s also ideal to play handheld on Switch: touchscreen, Joy-Con, HD rumble, pick-up-and-playability and a close-up screen for reading all add to the experience. If you don’t usually go for visual novels then it’s back to our starting question: can VA-11 HALL-A be excused its lack of gameplay? If you’re happy to try it just for a story, then you’ll be delighted. Delighted enough to read it through six times in search of alternate endings? Probably not. But, like a good cocktail, its flavour lingers after the final sip – so sometimes one is enough.
  2. Metro GameCentral
    May 2, 2019
    70
    The gameplay, and some of the dialogue, could do with some refinement but this dystopian drinks-making game has some of the most interesting storytelling of the last few years.
  3. 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.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Switch Game of 2019
97
#97 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019
24
#24 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 87
  3. Negative: 12 out of 87
  1. INU4SH4
    Oct 2, 2020
    8
    VA-11 HALL-A, aka Valhalla, is a cyberpunk retro-styled bartender simulator. But don't think the main point is mixing drinks, the main focusVA-11 HALL-A, aka Valhalla, is a cyberpunk retro-styled bartender simulator. But don't think the main point is mixing drinks, the main focus is definitely the stories your clients tell you. If you know exactly what you're getting before buying this game you'll definitely not get disappointed. For one I knew it was mainly a Visual Novel and I'm not really a fan of Visual Novels. I either watch anime or play video games. A playable anime isn't just doesn't cut it for me, but Valhalla has a very chill atmosphere and engaging characters that even a person like me could appreciate it.

    Definitely worth checking if you're looking for an original Visual Novel with a bit of gameplay and choices to be made. The atmosphere is great and the stories your clients tell you are super entertaining. Even if you don't like the genre you should give it a chance just like I did.    … Full Review »
  2. jcboyer515
    Jul 2, 2020
    10
    I read a couple of poor reviews, inspiring me to finally finish this game because I knew I'd be sad it was over. I actually bought this gameI read a couple of poor reviews, inspiring me to finally finish this game because I knew I'd be sad it was over. I actually bought this game sometime in late 2019 on an absolute whim, it was on sale for like $8 in the eShop. I tend to scope out other reviews just so I can verify I'm not buying some random pos, & this game seemed to have mostly good ratings. I was completely blown away! I love visual novels, & VA-11 HALL-A essentially plays out as such. If you're one of those morons that doesn't like games where interactivity is limited & likes to complain about that, I suggest playing a different game genre (like, I dunno, any other game). This is one of the most mature, relatable stories I've ever seen in my life. I was blown away by almost every character, becoming more & more interested in all their stories, all for it to come to a satisfying, bittersweet conclusion. The graphics are a clear shout-out to older games, probably 90's PC games. Mostly well rendered, the art appears as very cohesive pixels that are quite charming. In my opinion, even though everything else about this game is pretty excellent, one other thing stands out: the music. Clearly Michael Kelly (aka Garoad) played the demos or early access to this title, because he 100% nails the soundtrack. I actually felt like the music in the jukebox for VA-11 HALL-A could've really been music I'd hear at a bar in 50 years. It may seem silly saying it loud, but the music was just that spot on for me. I even listen to the ost's in my free time! I can't recommend this game enough, it's fantastic.… Full Review »
  3. jpacor
    Jun 27, 2020
    9
    An amazing, completely underrated game. I am not a fan of most visual novel games, but this one is so much more accessible than others. TheAn amazing, completely underrated game. I am not a fan of most visual novel games, but this one is so much more accessible than others. The gameplay consists of an addicting loop where you bartend each day, and speak with patrons. You can make certain drinks to be double strength, making the patrons drunker and say more ridiculous and funny things.

    What makes this so accessible is the loop of speaking with a few patrons per day. My problem with VNs is that certain conversations and sections really drag out, but here no conversation is too long. The characters and writing are both excellent, I think that they are really creative here with the stories that the tell and building the sci-fi world around them.

    My only gripe is that there are some ridiculous and overly detailed sexual conversations that you have with some characters, but this is a minor issue.

    This game is a must play for any fan of story and dialogue driven games, one of my favorite indie titles of this generation.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »