Coffee Talk

Getting to know your customers is the highlight of Coffee Talk, but some arcs are too cliché

It could have been longer, it could have been more substantial and dramatic. But it’s a good way to relax for a few hours.

Coffee Talk is very much a mismatched brew.

The cast of characters is wonderful. Everyone has their own quirks and personalities, but they are all engaging, and we love preparing drinks for them and hearing their stories.

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.

Coffee Talk is the video game equivalent to a calmingly warm cup of coffee for a searching soul.

All-in-all, Coffee Talk is a soothing and welcomed balm against the fast-paced aggression of a lot of other games. You can take the whole experience at your own leisure, with no pressure to complete side quests, level up or defeat OP bosses. If you like to chill out and lose yourself in a quality, winning narrative, then this is the game for you. (I won’t go spoiling anything, but let’s just say there is more to our friendly resident barista that meets the eye!)

Coffee Talk is an interesting title, an evocative visual novel with a retro 90s pixel art style. The narrative, though limited, is well handled and succeeds in touching on several themes, including prominent ones. Leaving something to be desired are the not-too-rich gameplay and some characters not deep enough.

Coffee Talk is an absolute gem of a visual novel, with charming characters, entertaining and engaging dialogue, and a beautiful and calming atmosphere that will keep you coming back for a refill.

Coffee Talk is best enjoyed like coffee - slowly, in sips, and in no hurry. Playing it day by day, switching the soundtrack appropriately, and reading the conversations carefully will make for a very relaxing experience. In this way, the game becomes a charmingly relaxing affair, where perhaps you'll be happy to forgive the lack of interactivity.