Unrequited Arrows: A Spoiler Free Review of Coffee Talk

Hello! This is my first ever blog and this review is what actually got me to start blogging here after I couldn't use it for another project. Hope you enjoy my little rant! :) 

There are many cozy games to play on cold restless nights, cuddled up with blankets and a fresh warm drink to savor while you sit back and play something chill and easy going. My current game of choice as of now is an indie visual novel called Coffee Talk. Created by Toge Productions, Coffee Talk is a game that has been brewing since 2020 and has had two games to its series.

The overall plot point is set in a modern Seattle where other than humans there are elves, demons, werewolves, vampires, etc. You work as a barista in Coffee Talk, a place that only opens at night where one can simply order a drink and talk about anything and everything.

The design of the game from an artistic standpoint shows an inspiration from 90’s anime but in a more pixelated flair, with the the use of cel shading, more retro yet harmonious color palettes, and that analog feel you would normally get from the shows like Sailor Moon or Cowboy Bebop (in which I really vibe with). 

But the background soundtrack of the game just brings all of those visual harmonies together into an atmosphere where you really feel comfortable. I actually want to talk more about the music itself, it was composed by Andrew Jeremy and is essentially a wholesome relationship between lofi and jazz, creating a sort of reminiscing playfulness in the game. Like those kinds of talks with friends that fluctuate from casual, intimate, to philosophical. Making the music the best audio representation of the game’s story and dialogue.

It’s all of those elements that really put more emphasis on the intimate feelings when it comes to the overarching story of the game, while you prepare cups of coffee, tea, chocolate milk, and latte art. You are also reading the newspaper and listening to the stories of your customers and their accomplishments and also hardships, quite a lot of hardships that many of us face in real life, big or small. Stress over deadlines, struggles with mental health, fighting against values in your family that you disagree with, or just the struggle of trying to find a purpose in living. Even if the cast may be elves, demons, werewolves, mermaids, or even aliens, their problems are still human and that’s why I love it so much. 

It’s a safe space of a game for both the cast and you to really think about the issues we face a lot of the time, and even when you feel like the world is against you there is always going to be someone you can talk to over a warm drink. :)