VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

Very relaxing. Yeah, maybe it lacks action. Maybe it's almost completely linear. But it really helps to relax after a long work day.

My girlfriend and I were doing shots, listening to "Is This Love" by Whitesnake, and spoke to a 13 year old sex bot. Then we made her a drink. If that sounds good, this is your game.

I could echo the praises everyone else is singing, but I wouldn't contribute anything new. What I do have to say relates to how I read this story. After the first few in-game days (as the story is broken into) I decided to read only one day of story and wait a real-time week before reading another day, like watching a TV show. This got me thinking about episodic games; most of them fail because they try to be a polished, 3D, have significant gameplay, voice acting, etc. Requiring modeling, animation, level design, scripting, voice recording, bug testing, etc., and trying to get this all done in a month or two. I'm not a connoisseur of visual novels, so maybe someone could contradict me here, but why hasn't anyone tried an episodic VN? Va-11 Hall-A for example, while I think it's better to have released as a whole game, could have worked well this way. 2D barely animated sprites (which are beautiful by the way), barely any gameplay, and no voice acting as most VNs have is a much more realistic goal to make every two weeks or a month or so. I think my routine of waiting between breaks in the narrative really enhances the story. It keeps me thinking about the game during the week and excites me to read more. It's more achievable and better compels the reader, so why aren't VN writers employing this tactic?

It's just like Jonathan Blow said. Indie games are personal and specific things, rather than polished and fail-safe products made for the masses. VA-11 Hall-A is exactly the opposite of a mass-marketable product. And the few things that it does are very well executed. And in this case it's perfectly okay when a game becomes boring after a 2 hour session. It's meant to be. You're supposed to come back once in a while and experience another day in Jill's life as a bartender. VA-11 Hall-A is packed with lovely, creepy, odd and funny characters. And all there is for you to do is read the conversations and play the drink-mixing minigame. Aside from bartending there isn't much to do except hang out in your little apartment, do some shopping or follow the latest news on Kira-Miki (KIRA! MIKI! AAAAH!!!). Not sure what the hype about Kira-Miki is all about. The excellent ingame-music renders her (almost) completely obsolete. Every once in a while the game treats you with a little suprise, breathing fresh air into your otherwise repetitive life as a bartender. If you're into retro-gaming, original storytelling, pixel-art or anime, this might be just the thing for you. Don't expect to finish this game on a rainy weekend, cause it's best enjoyed over a longer period of time. The only thing I'd like to see added to an otherwise fantastic title is GOG Galaxy functionality like cloud saves, achievements and such.

One of the best game for those who love reading. I played this game in one setting on a pirate version and I am here to buy it because it is that good! While the game do not offer much of a replay value, you have new game plus to explore ending and buy all the goodie like a rich bartender you are. Now for the scoring Art 10/10:Retro is the way. Now with Retro style's the fad, this game is the bomb. the menu ,the ui,the character designs are gorgeous and everything about this game is cute and cool. Music 9/10: The music is also amazing ,while it isn't pack a punch to the gut(xd) It does give the comfiest feeling like going to the bar yourself after the long shift. With tons of variety to choose from and customize-able playlist in the game!! Take my Nuyen. Story10/10: Top notch writing that allow you to feel closer to everyone than just being an aloof bartender, pay attention to detail and you will realize that these clients confide in you more than their own family, all their sorrow , their problems and their past are expose for you to give them the their favorite drink and call it even. You can learn all the side thing that happen by reading apps on your phone. Also Pun heavy and full of real world reference. I mean that message board is obviously reddit. All the client and your friends and even you have such an interesting story to tell. Character9000/10: I have never seen a game where I love every characters, they are cute ,cool , mysterious and funny. Pay attention what they told you and earn that big money and their loves. The story of the glitch city is very sad but also full of hope and dream. Also the character designs are quite unique and legendary. Best Boss. GP10/10: Enjoy the comfiest ride grab then coffee or tea and biscuit because the way to play this game is IN ONE GO. The mixing looks repetitive(you are a bartender lol) but you talking to them all the time help plus they will tell you their fav. Pay attention!. The drink innovatives. tl;dr 9.5/10 GG