Necrobarista
Rating Summary
Based on 35 critic reviews
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Necrobarista is easily one of the best games so far this year and one of the greatest visual novels I've ever played.
There is beauty to be found in darkness, and Necrobarista shines a gentle, heartfelt light on it. It is one of those games that I wish I could erase from my memory to have the opportunity to experience it again for the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Necrobarista won't be everybody's cuppa coffee, but it's an excellent visual novel with strong writing and visuals.



















