It’s truly an honour to say I had a first look at Coffee Talk Tokyo prior to its official release. Such a game proved to be comforting escapism in an online world that targets short attention spans and overstimulation.
Not to sound immediately quite preachy, but I was quick to notice how bustling and busy the metropolis outside of my quaint coffee retreat was, and how this paralleled how life typically feels day to day in our modern world.
So, already I felt connected to my character in that we both sought sanctum inside the familiarity of a space we call our own. Outside was always moving, and yet I found calm amongst the chaos. Also, I obviously named myself Teto.
The themes of Coffee Talk Tokyo are less about the brews you make, and more about the connections you weave whilst lovingly handcrafting drinks to suit each visitor. I particularly liked the drink building interface and cataloguing of previously discovered elixirs.
Where I could, each drink would have a crude yet thoughtful foam splodge, or an artful dusting of cocoa to really immerse into the romanticism I have around non-corporately owned Cafe hotspots. Everything slow, intentional, and handmade.
I wholeheartedly believe Coffee Talk Tokyo to be a romantic game, but not in the dating-sim kind of way. Instead, it romanticises the unity we have over our differences and that human desire to take up space and stay physically connected.
Tomodachill
I’ve come into this review with a deeper undertone unintentionally, so to ground myself a little, I want to talk about the characters themselves and their impact on me. But before that, let me preface by admitting I haven’t finished my first playthrough YET.
One of the first customers I met was the lovely Hendry, with whom I also share a birthday! Happy belated birthday, Hendry. To really immerse myself in the thick ambience of the game, I took it upon myself to voice-act each character as I conversed.
I probably sounded deranged, but elevating each pixelated person through shoddy verbal quips made their lively expressions and movements all the more charming and thoughtful.
In a game that revolves around the strangers we meet, it felt so important to me to care about these interactions, which I think Coffee Talk Tokyo absolutely nailed (even without my very professional VA aid). Some characters are messy, some troubled, and others are just happy to be here. Each and every one possessed dynamic personalities that made them feel so real.
Comforting Drinks and Comforting Friends
Vin, for example, became so beloved to me. They’re troubled and cagey about what’s on their mind, but are so selfless and safe for other characters to open up to. Constantly pushing themselves to be present in the moment makes them burn out and retreat to their room frequently. As they say, they’re all out of spoons.
However, they always come back because they know they’re so loved and valued exactly as they are, despite their ailments and fractured history.
Another hugely important part of Vin’s identity is their bionic arm. Their arm hinders them from living an average life due to the dated model and the pain it causes, physically and mentally. And, though this world consists of rich characters, both in fantastical and familiar shapes and sizes, Vin’s struggles hit home because they feel so real.
However, their personality is so much more than their disability, in that, yes, I saw how it impacts them, but they aren’t just a token disabled character to make Coffee Talk Tokyo pander to inclusivity. Vin exists outside of their disability, and their bitter feelings towards their impairments is respected by everyone they speak with in the shop. They aren’t made to feel lesser than someone who is whole.
I’m Out Of Vin Spoons…
This statement is applicable to every single character. From the stay-at-home dads, to the polyamorous, to those struggling with school, creative burnout, or loss and grief. Coffee Talk Tokyo recognises and deeply respects what makes each person dynamic and three-dimensional, their fears.
People aren’t perfect, nor are the characters I met in my cosy corner of Tokyo. But that’s what made them so compelling. Offering them a drink, listening to their stories, weighing in, and dubbing their interactions with other familiar faces is what gave Coffee Talk Tokyo its weight both in my heart and in the game itself.
Coffee Talk Tokyo Review Roundup
It’s evident to me that this second instalment is a true labour of love. The scenery and character designs are beautiful, the music comforting, and the recipes rewarding and creatively fulfilling.
A lot of expertise and care was taken when bringing these characters and their stories to fruition, and I desperately hope that anyone reading this is moved enough to check out the game for themself.
As a send-off note, Fuku is my wife. I LOVE her and her daft Tomodachill memes about Ayame. Her blunt nature as a form of nurture is just like Robin from One Piece… Who I am also shamelessly in love with.
Coffee Talk Tokyo 2 new character idea: A suspiciously me-shaped self-insert lookalike named Sho, who is Fuku’s infatuated gf.
I kid. A little bit.
Anywho, if you want to delve into what has rapidly become my most favourite digital literature piece of this year, check out Coffee Talk Tokyo via Steam.
Oh, did I mention there are tons of Achievements and replayability surrounding them? C’mon, you know you want to.
I promise this isn’t sponsored…
We also covered a news piece on the release of Coffee Talk Tokyo.
The post Coffee Talk Tokyo Review: Romanticism In The Connections We Honour appeared first on Gamezebo.
No responses yet