​Coffee Talk Review

By Kevin Mitchell  |  Posted: February 3, 2020

In an alternative 2020 Seattle where fantasy races coexist with humans, Coffee Talk offers a refreshing break from typical gaming violence. As the owner of a late-night coffee shop, you serve drinks to elves, succubi, orcs, and humans while listening to their stories.

Beyond shelter from Seattle's rain, your café provides a sanctuary for customers sharing job concerns, family issues, and daily struggles. As the sole barista, you craft beverages using up to three ingredients. While experimentation is encouraged, successfully created drinks are saved for future reference. The visual novel follows a set narrative with minimal branching based on drink accuracy and occasional special circumstances, like calming an agitated werewolf. Many nights involve observing conversations between patrons, revealing how warm drinks bring diverse characters together.

Drink creation requires one main ingredient plus two additional elements, with ingredient order affecting the final product. Customers may request specific drinks, ask for surprises, or expect their usual order. You can attempt each drink five times before serving, and lattes can be decorated with art (easier with mouse than controller).

Simply Put

Discovering drinks in Coffee Talk proves engaging, but the characters' struggles resonate most. Though fantasy-based, their challenges mirror real-world issues: interracial couples facing family pressure, struggling artists pursuing dreams, and more. The endless challenge mode extends replay value beyond the main story.