Necrobarista Reviews

Necrobarista is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Aug 13, 2020

Necrobarista as a game embodies many of the qualities you find in the game’s characters. It’s brash, it’s snappy and clever, it’s also more than a little sly, but it’s got an unbreakable emotional core that you can’t forget. If this is the future of visual novels, then pour me another one.

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Aug 6, 2020

Necrobarista is an eclectic mix of things. It’s a character-driven musing on life and death. It’s a deeply Australian story written by Australians. It’s both funny and sincere. It’s one of those games that will stay with you long after it’s done, and it’s the kind of culturally-relevant artefact that gives it value beyond its scope as an entertainment product (though it’s certainly entertaining too).

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8 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2021

Experience a visual novel with a Venti-sized portion of snark, melancholy, and style in Route 59's Necrobarista: Final Pour. Excellent writing and cinematography help tell its coffee and death-themed story, but technical flaws leave a slightly bitter taste.

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GameSpace
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Aug 1, 2020

Necrobarista is one of the best visual novels I have ever played and this dark and silky smooth blend of Otaku influenced story telling if worth a few hours of your time.

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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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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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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

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80 / 100
Jul 28, 2020

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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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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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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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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