Necrobarista Reviews

Necrobarista is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10
Jul 21, 2020

Necrobarista won't be everybody's cuppa coffee, but it's an excellent visual novel with strong writing and visuals.

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4 / 5.0
Jul 21, 2020

Necrobarista may have changed since it was first seen, but the end result is still an engrossing visual novel that succeeds thanks to a cast of memorable and fun characters, a stylish and cool presentation, and a well-crafted story that hits all the right notes, providing a terrific tale of having to move on that has room for bits of both laughter and tears in your coffee.

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7 / 10
Jul 21, 2020

Necrobarista may not make the player a part of its story, but this visual novel's narrative still hits pretty hard.

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Unscored
Jul 21, 2020

Necrobarista realises that there are no objectively correct answers to the questions it raises about mortality, loss, and how to live a good life. In giving these two characters their different resolutions without presenting either as better than the other, it manages to acknowledge that while simultaneously giving both a satisfying conclusion.

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9 / 10
Jul 21, 2020

The story of Necrobarista isn't lost in its bold anime-inspired style and maximalist presentation. These elements mix and swirl together like a cup of damned good coffee.

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Jul 21, 2020

A distinct, cel-shaded and anime-inspired style isn't the only thing remarkable about Necrobarista. From its main story to the entertaining text adventures that paint between the lines of its more stylishly presented narrative, Necrobarista is an engaging visual novel from start to finish. Some minor complaints in how it executes unlocking additional text adventures does little to hold back the death-concerned coffee shop adventure.

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GameSpew
Becca S.
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Jul 21, 2020

Necrobarista is what a good cup of coffee should be: warm, a little nutty and exactly what you crave. It leaves a lasting impression. Its characters are lovable and relatable; its story covers a deeply complicated topic with humour and charm; and the world is so well-crafted and intriguing that it could easily tell a thousand more stories.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jul 21, 2020

With a brew this good, you can be sure I'll be back for more.

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90 / 100
Jul 21, 2020

Despite the deceptively silly name, Necrobarista is a surprisingly deep and moving narrative about loss, kindness, guilt, and the family you choose. Quirky, complex characters combined with an incredibly unique, unforgettable style and a killer soundtrack create a layered, captivating world full of secrets, spirits, robots, an underground fight club, and more than a few cups of really great coffee.

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Jul 21, 2020

Almost anyone smitten by Necrobarista’s style will find more than enough to warrant its asking price, including a rather poignant denouement after three hours of play, but it risks frustrating anyone expecting more of a game and less of a film.

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9 / 10
Jul 21, 2020

Overall, Necrobarista is just a plain wonderful experience. The story is entertaining with powerful moments, the characters feel fleshed out and realistic (or as realistic as the plot allows for), and the presentation is stunning (although the character design may not be attractive to some).

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6 / 10
Jul 21, 2020

For all of my criticisms, I can’t stress enough how much potential I see in Necrobarista. From its fascinating supernatural setting to its amazing and dynamic art style, a sequel to this game would be an instant buy from me. If it’s going to stay as a standalone though, it needs more substance. Either way, I am excited to see more of Route 59’s work. They’ve created an incredible world and an even more incredible visual novel style.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jul 21, 2020

Necrobarista’s focus on death is approached in such a unique way that you can’t help but immerse yourself in its setting. You begin to feel as if you are a part of the group, which makes the idea of letting go so much harder. This is a visual novel experience that transcends traditional systems within the medium and is definitely worth your time. Some of the dialogue might go over your head, but this is an easy recommendation from me.

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9 / 10
Jul 22, 2020

Necrobarista is a game-changer for the visual novel genre, using slick cinematic visuals to tell its story. This is a sophisticated story full of delightful, three-dimensional characters that is perfectly complements by the groundbreaking presentation of the experience.

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9 / 10.0
Jul 22, 2020

You know, last week I'm not sure I could have told you the last time I cried while playing a video game. Maybe it was Persona 4 on the PlayStation 2? I've been introspective a lot, but rarely sad and on the verge of crying. Well, now I know exactly the last time a video game made me cry, because it was yesterday while finishing up Necrobarista. While I have some qualms with how the game's "memories" are handled, it's such a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things. For anyone interesting in a wholly unique story that is almost guaranteed to sink its hooks into you, look no further than Necrobarista.

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Unscored
Jul 22, 2020

For as heavy as Necrobarista is, its tale of death and letting go is ultimately one worth seeing.

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Essential
Jul 23, 2020

There is very little in this world that’s better than a good story that’s told well, and Necrobarista is a beautiful story told perfectly. Its cast of charming characters, great audio and visual design and the very Melbourne aesthetic all weave together to make something you shouldn’t miss.

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7 / 10.0
Jul 24, 2020

Necrobarista is certainly an interesting take on the visual novel genre. The dialogue is amazing and the story is certainly worth experiencing. It could perhaps be priced a bit lower considering how short it is and it does have some minor technical issues. Still, overall I enjoyed it.

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4.5 / 5.0
Jul 26, 2020

In terms of gameplay, I’m left wanting a little more (those in-between portions weren’t my favorite), but the stories and emotional connections conveyed are bar-none the strongest I’ve read all year.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jul 26, 2020

Necrobarista is a stylish visual novel set in a curious Melbourne cafe where the dead can spend their final hours among the living

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