VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

 Switch
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
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  1. 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 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! II 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.… Expand
  2. 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 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 eitherVA-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.    … Expand
  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. 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    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. 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.    … Expand
  4. ClimbX
    Jun 1, 2019
    9
    I was initially drawn to this game because of the similarities I thought it would have to The Red Strings Club, and to my delight it delivered a great story. Can easily recommend this to anyone who enjoys story games.
  5. Nintendopost24
    Jun 2, 2019
    9
    VA-11 Hall-A est un jeu particulier. Unique en son genre. Il faut adhérer bien sûr au concept du visual novel et des graphismes Pc-98, mais le fond dépasse les **** défauts de la forme. L’histoire est passionnante, mature, et le monde cyberpunk dystopique dans lequel travaille notre joli barmaid Jill est terrifiant de réalisme. Les clients et leurs états d’âme vous feront parfois réfléchirVA-11 Hall-A est un jeu particulier. Unique en son genre. Il faut adhérer bien sûr au concept du visual novel et des graphismes Pc-98, mais le fond dépasse les **** défauts de la forme. L’histoire est passionnante, mature, et le monde cyberpunk dystopique dans lequel travaille notre joli barmaid Jill est terrifiant de réalisme. Les clients et leurs états d’âme vous feront parfois réfléchir sur votre propre existence et votre place dans la société. Lorsque le 4iéme mur est brisé par une narration brillante, on comprend que l’on a affaire à un grand jeu!… Expand
  6. fbnaulin
    May 23, 2020
    4
    Cool story and characters for teenagers. Gameplay is almost non existent. Too long for its own good.
  7. Samnity
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    Lo más importante de este juego es que no te tiene que gustar el género de novela visual para que te encante.

    La jugabilidad de servir bebidas será monótona pero se perdona ya que el ambiente logra sumergirte en un futuro distópico de 207X en el que el humor está mezclado con temas muy serios (existencialismo, solipsismo, AI's conectadas, leyes de la robótica, el perdón y    Lo más importante de este juego es que no te tiene que gustar el género de novela visual para que te encante.

    La jugabilidad de servir bebidas será monótona pero se perdona ya que el ambiente logra sumergirte en un futuro distópico de 207X en el que el humor está mezclado con temas muy serios (existencialismo, solipsismo, AI's conectadas, leyes de la robótica, el perdón y arrepentimiento, la muerte, corrupción estatal, monopolios empresariales megalómanos de innovación tecnológica). La música es espectacular. Lamentablemente hay algunos (como las AI's conectadas) que es solo un punteo superficial y no se termina de desarrollar, probablemente por falta de tiempo.

    Cosas buenas:
    - Gran ambiente.
    - Excelentísima música.
    - Varios personajes entrañables.
    - Temas muy maduros.
    - Buen humor.

    Cosas malas:
    - No tener opciones de respuestas que cambien completamente el rumbo de la conversación y la trama (hay en base a la bebida que hagas, pero es un cambio mínimo). Es bastante lineal todo salvo por cómo te hayas manejado en alguna situación para tener un final. Lamentablemente el juego hubiese dado muchísimo más de sí al tener opciones de respuesta (parece que en su nuevo juego van a mejorar un poco este aspecto).
    - Se nota que los desarrolladores hicieron los distintos finales apurados. Son casi anecdóticos.
    - Si bien lo jugué en inglés y no tuve problema, hace mucho tiempo que algunos fans hicieron una traducción en español y los desarrolladores no lo aplicaron. A mi me da igual pero hay mucha gente que le molesta y lo entiendo.
    - Jugabilidad (crear bebidas) un poquitín monótona. Pero no veo otras maneras de solucionarlo. Por eso considero importante el hecho de poder elegir respuestas ya que sino la jugabilidad se limita mucho.    … Expand
  8. Welbar
    May 9, 2020
    10
    Очень интересная и захватывающая новелла с проработанным сюжетом и персонажами, в стиле киберпанка. Всего за пару часов игра пробивает на эмоции.
  9. rodericrinehart
    May 12, 2019
    9
    Just here to encourage everyone to play this game if they are even remotely interested in the genre or cyberpunk. It is very well done, pretty relaxing, makes you think and laugh, and doesn't overstay its welcome.
  10. ThirioTheJohn
    Aug 19, 2019
    3
    I found this game pretty boring. Its set in a cyberpunk world but is very pg-13, characters are very bubly and the gameplay is random and boring. You just mix about 10 different ingredients to do all the drinks possible with no logic whatsoever, that definitely wasn't for me. If you're thinking this is a blade runner kind of cyberpunk you will be sorely disapointed, this is more likeI found this game pretty boring. Its set in a cyberpunk world but is very pg-13, characters are very bubly and the gameplay is random and boring. You just mix about 10 different ingredients to do all the drinks possible with no logic whatsoever, that definitely wasn't for me. If you're thinking this is a blade runner kind of cyberpunk you will be sorely disapointed, this is more like animal crossing cyberpunk, but animal crossing actually has engaging gameplay.… Expand
  11. AllySky
    May 6, 2019
    8
    VA-11 HALL-A is perhaps one of the most immersive visual novels I have ever touched. However keep in mind when buying this game, you will be tasked to do a ton of reading, if you're not into that, I suggest rethinking your purchase. However I would also recommend this game to anyone who enjoys a good story. Through out this game you will meet a lot of interesting faces, some you may like,VA-11 HALL-A is perhaps one of the most immersive visual novels I have ever touched. However keep in mind when buying this game, you will be tasked to do a ton of reading, if you're not into that, I suggest rethinking your purchase. However I would also recommend this game to anyone who enjoys a good story. Through out this game you will meet a lot of interesting faces, some you may like, some you may dislike, and some you will absolutely love. With each passing day you get to learn about them as they involve you in their lives, and from behind the counter you cater to their needs and help them out in any way you can. This game is quite the journey, be it heart-warming, stressful, or full of laughter, I can't recommend missing out on this title.

    However, I feel as though the game could have been much more, while not stepping out of the boundaries of its capabilities. A lack of special touches here and there resulted in many disappointments during the game, and the endings felt just as bad. There were even features I felt should have been added to greater expand on such a great concept. I can't justify this game in any way other then to say it's a "It's about the journey, not the destination."    … Expand
  12. Online_NPC
    Oct 26, 2021
    7
    I could see giving this game a higher rating if I was into visual novels. It's not my cup of tea, but I can see how people would like it. It's a slice-of-life story listening to people talk about their lives and helping them in the only way a bartender can. The standout feature here is the soundtrack, There's probably 50-60 songs you can pick from and then queue them up on the jukeboxI could see giving this game a higher rating if I was into visual novels. It's not my cup of tea, but I can see how people would like it. It's a slice-of-life story listening to people talk about their lives and helping them in the only way a bartender can. The standout feature here is the soundtrack, There's probably 50-60 songs you can pick from and then queue them up on the jukebox while your work your shift. and all the songs are pretty good.

    Graphics: 7
    Gameplay: 6
    Audio: 8
    Story: 9    … Expand
  13. slime33999
    Feb 27, 2022
    10
    good music art and plot
    make players really think they are in the game
    also， an interesting background setting of cyberpunk
  14. Noty8udod
    Dec 26, 2021
    10
    Great story, makes you want to keep playing to find out what will happen next 10/10 would recommend
  15. 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. 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 toThis 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
  16. faraena
    Dec 31, 2022
    1
    Cool concept, fun game mechanics and pretty art but the game is so downright misogynistic I'm unable to complete it. I knew straight away that it was written by males from the sexist dialogue alone, but it also unfortunately does not feel as though you are genuinely playing a female main character. If all this was meant to be was a for-males anime-girl-fetish sim then please advertise itCool concept, fun game mechanics and pretty art but the game is so downright misogynistic I'm unable to complete it. I knew straight away that it was written by males from the sexist dialogue alone, but it also unfortunately does not feel as though you are genuinely playing a female main character. If all this was meant to be was a for-males anime-girl-fetish sim then please advertise it as such. Otherwise, hire female writers and developers. We can tell.… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
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  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 27, 2020
    85
    If you want to settle back with a drink and a snack and enjoy a story that's equal parts salacious and introspective, this is one title I would highly recommend. [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 27]
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Jul 8, 2019
    80
    If you like great stories and immersive world building, with little to no gameplay, this is a game for you.
    Read full review
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