We started in Seattle with a story, a cup of coffee, and an ear to listen. Now, in the third installment of Coffee Talk, we find ourselves in Tokyo, embedded in the hustle culture, listening to new faces and an old friend. As different characters wade through the troubles, joys, and all of life’s intricacies, the neighborhood barista provides relaxation, hope, and a home away from the racing thoughts. This is what this series does best. Coffee Talk promotes a healing message that taking care of yourself is the priority. You can’t give the world your all if you haven’t given yourself anything.
Gameplay & Story
Lending your ear to the weary traveler has become a business, and Coffee Talk makes that service readily available. The concept of listening to each character playing as a barista is something special, and it creates a bond of sorts that builds as the story and game progress. As we watch where the story takes each character, the player almost becomes a consensual voyeur of sorts. While we’re not prying into the lives of others, we’re offering a warm drink, stillness through listening, and advice when asked.
The conversations got heavier in this installment, including subjects like chronic illness, school bullies, and even difficult discussions surrounding death. Coffee Talk Tokyo takes the difficult topics and brings kindness to them. There’s a nuance that creates substance and brings a substantial weight to the game. Reading through all the pieces of dialogue, I was so happy that each character had their own voice. From Vin and their experience with chronic illness, to Ayame the ghost finding her way to the afterlife, there are so many stories that this game tells in a gentle, yet impactful way. Each character was distinctly them, completely unique, and written with obvious intentions to tell a specific story.
The little things in this game take their time to form and flow carefully from one story and topic to the next. The progression also takes on a life of its own, bringing in characters like backup singers. When one character has a moment where they can’t find the notes, the other will come in to harmonize and assist.
From making coffee for everyone to just reading the conversations, Coffee Talk Tokyo takes its time with the player, nurturing important conversations, and even implementing comedy in a way that’s natural to the conversations.
There are several orders to fill, and conversations to (not so discreetly) listen in on. And even with its coziness, Coffee Talk Tokyo has an incredible amount of depth in the stories it explores. A strong example is Vin living with chronic pain after their accident. Chronic pain is something so many folks (including me) deal with. To have a game discuss this topic in such an elegant way created a bridge for this hard-to-talk-about conversation, making it a little less scary to approach.
Verdict
Coffee Talk Tokyo encourages the player to be the best version of themselves that they can be. So many stories coat the world of this game. While it’s fun making drinks for the locals, the love and soul lie within the characters you meet and their experiences. If you want to add another relaxing game to your list, Coffee Talk Tokyo is a cozy game with a lot of heart and caffeine.
