Necrobarista Reviews

Necrobarista is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
GameGrin
ErrorNikki
Top Critic
10 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2020

Necrobarista is easily one of the best games so far this year and one of the greatest visual novels I've ever played.

Read full review

Aug 2, 2020

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

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).

Read full review

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.

Read full review

Sep 29, 2021

I highly recommend that people check out this visual novel as it is unlike anything that I have ever experienced before and I doubt that I will experience anything like in the future.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jul 27, 2020

Necrobarista is a touching, emotional journey that features an excellently written and easily lovable cast of characters. While the "memories" within the game are frustrating to unlock, it wasn't enough to detract from an otherwise excellent experience.

Read full review

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

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2021

Even with the DLC content the staff and patrons of the Terminal are so lovable that I still wanted more after the credits had rolled. The studio mode has complicated unfettered access to the game's engine which is both fascinating but almost impenetrable. I understand that visual novels are a high barrier for entry but the charm and style in Necrobarista are worth the effort.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Oct 18, 2022

Necrobarista: Final Pour is a heck of a visual novel. Route 59 has taken care to create a game that epitomises the genre, with a story that is funny, charming, and engaging throughout, and is wrapped up in a stunning package that is not seen enough in the world of VNs. While the shortcomings aren’t deal breakers, it would have been nice to see a few tweaks here and there, particularly showcasing other customers. I think having random pieces of text littered around the coffee shop did the game a disservice; if a few more of them had been animated in the same way as the two extra DLC stories, it would have created a real buzz within the Terminal to make it feel more alive. That being said, the main plot of Necrobarista is rare in that it kept me engaged all the way through and didn’t drop the level of humour despite what was unfolding on screen.

Read full review

8.4 / 10.0
Aug 3, 2020

Despite some technical issues, Necrobarista is a fresh take on visual novels world, and its style captivates the player: interesting direction and gorgeus art manage to create a mix in which the plot can arise with all its delicate topics. How difficult is to "go further" when you're already dead? Necrobarista tries to answer at that, and it's a very good answer.

Review in Italian | Read full review

IGN
Matt T.M. Kim
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jul 28, 2020

Necrobarista pushes the visual novel forward with an impressive eye for the cinematic.

Read full review

80 / 100
Jul 28, 2020

Coffee shop philosophy with a side of comedy banter, plated attractively.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Aug 24, 2020

Necrobarista has an intriguing world that surfaces the uncomfortable truths that come with death. It sometimes stumbles, but the payoff is more than worth the trip

Read full review