{{Infobox video game | title = Necrobarista | image = Necrobarista.png | alt = Key art for the game Necrobarista, showing the protagonist standing alone in a warehouse, shoulders hunched. | caption = | developer = Route 59 | publisher = Route 59 | director = | producer = | designer = | programmer = | artist = | writer = | composer = Kevin Penkin | engine = Unity | platforms = {{ubl|iOS|macOS|Microsoft Windows|PlayStation 4|Nintendo Switch}} | released = {{ubl|'''iOS, macOS'''|July 17, 2020|'''Microsoft Windows'''|July 22, 2020|'''Nintendo Switch'''|August 11, 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDclD1QMmYM|title=Indie World Showcase 8.11.2021 - Nintendo Switch|website=YouTube|access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>}} | genre = Visual novel | modes = Single-player }}
'''''Necrobarista''''' is a 2020 visual novel game developed by Australian development studio Route 59. The player follows a cast of characters around a Melbourne back-alley coffeehouse staffed by necromancers, named the 'Terminal'. In the Terminal, the souls of the recently departed are given a final 24 hours to reside in the world alongside the living.
The game was released on July 17, 2020 for macOS and iOS via Apple Arcade, July 22, 2020 for Windows, and August 11, 2021 for Nintendo Switch. The original game was divided into ten chapters, with two stand-alone chapters focusing on minor or new characters being released as free DLCs; the game's name was changed to '''''Necrobarista - Final Pour''''' after both DLCs were added to the base game on all platforms.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-08-11|title=Necrobarista: Final Pour, A "Story About Coffee And Death", Launches On Switch Today|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/necrobarista_final_pour_a_story_about_coffee_and_death_launches_on_switch_today|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB}}</ref> The game is also scheduled to release at a later date for PlayStation 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-necrobarista-598195.phtml|title=Review: Necrobarista|website=Destructoid|access-date=July 29, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111031649/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-necrobarista-598195.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Overview== ''Necrobarista'' is a visual novel set in a Melbourne coffee shop that serves both the living and dead, and is visited by gangsters, hipsters, and necromancers.<ref name="rps preview"/><ref name="hcg preview"/> Eschewing the 2D art typical to the genre, it is presented through cinematic 3D sequences,<ref name="rps preview"/><ref name="sil preview"/> composed by a dedicated cinematographer.<ref name="presskit">{{cite web |title=Route 59 Games Presskit |url=https://necrobarista.com/presskit/ |access-date=2020-08-01 |archive-date=2020-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722223153/https://necrobarista.com/presskit/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Development and release== The game is developed by the Australian studio Route 59,<ref name="hcg preview">{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/01/20/supernatural-visual-novel-necrobarista-coming-this-october/243950/ |title=Supernatural Visual Novel Necrobarista Coming This October |author=LeClair, Kyle |date=2017-01-20 |website=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=2017-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121231134/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/01/20/supernatural-visual-novel-necrobarista-coming-this-october/243950/ |archive-date=2017-01-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> using the Unity game engine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.necrobarista.com/ |title=Necrobarista – Welcome to the terminal |publisher=Route 59 |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121233159/http://www.necrobarista.com/ |archive-date=2017-01-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> The visual style of the 3D cinematics was influenced by anime.<ref name="rps preview"/> The game was originally announced for release in October 2017 for Microsoft Windows and MacOS,<ref name="hcg preview"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npt80bWJmlQ |title=NECROBARISTA - Announcement Trailer |date=2017-01-14 |publisher=Route 59 |via=YouTube |access-date=2017-01-22}}</ref> but was delayed to July 22, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jordan|last=Devore|date=2020-07-15|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/caffeinated-ghost-story-necrobarista-comes-to-pc-on-july-22-597593.phtml|title=Caffeinated ghost story Necrobarista comes to PC on July 22|publisher=Destructoid|access-date=2020-07-19}}</ref> The game was released on August 11, 2021 for Nintendo Switch.<ref name=":0" /> The composer for the project is Kevin Penkin.<ref name="music">{{Cite news|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/11/27-1/composer-kevin-penkin-on-symphonic-metal-and-flamenco-music-influences-in-the-rising-of-the-shield-hero-and-more|title=Composer Kevin Penkin on Symphonic Metal and Flamenco Music Influences in The Rising of the Shield Hero, and More!|work=Crunchyroll|access-date=2018-11-28|language=en}}</ref>
==Reception== ===Pre-release=== In pre-release coverage, multiple critics praised the game's presentation.<ref name="rps preview"/><ref name="hcg preview"/><ref name="kotaku preview"/> Nathan Grayson at ''Kotaku'' and Kyle LeClair at ''Hardcore Gamer'' both compared it to the Japanese developer Atlus's titles,<ref name="hcg preview"/><ref name="kotaku preview"/> with Grayson describing it as stylish and like ''Persona'' in a coffee shop,<ref name="kotaku preview">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/necrobarista-is-a-game-about-a-supernatural-cafe-where-1791355594 |title=Necrobarista is a game about "a supernatural cafe where the living come to mingle with the dead." |author=Grayson, Nathan |date=2017-01-18 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Gizmodo Media Group |access-date=2017-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121011543/http://kotaku.com/necrobarista-is-a-game-about-a-supernatural-cafe-where-1791355594 |archive-date=2017-01-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> and LeClair saying that the anime-like aesthetics, the music and the atmosphere "wouldn't seem out of place in a top-level Atlus game".<ref name="hcg preview"/> ''Rock, Paper, Shotgun''{{'s}} Kate Gray said that the game looks "so good you just want to eat [it]", praising the sunset-like color palette used and comparing it to the visual style of the game ''Firewatch''.<ref name="rps preview">{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/01/21/necrobarista-is-about-hipsters-baristas-and-death/ |title=Necrobarista is about hipsters, baristas, and death |author=Gray, Kate |date=2017-01-21 |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |access-date=2017-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121231344/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/01/21/necrobarista-is-about-hipsters-baristas-and-death/ |archive-date=2017-01-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> Joel Couture of ''Siliconera'' called the art style "striking", with its use of 3D art rather than the traditional animation and static 2D images common to the visual novel genre.<ref name="sil preview">{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/01/19/visual-novel-necrobarista-serves-coffee-booze-dead-living/ |title=Visual Novel Necrobarista Serves Coffee Or Booze To The Dead & The Living |author=Couture, Joel |date=2017-01-19 |website=Siliconera |access-date=2017-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121231614/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/01/19/visual-novel-necrobarista-serves-coffee-booze-dead-living/ |archive-date=2017-01-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> Gray, while noting that it was difficult to pinpoint the exact tone intended from just the trailer, also said that she liked the concept of a coffee shop visited by both the dead and the living,<ref name="rps preview"/> and LeClair said that the environment interaction and investigation shown in the trailer felt like they were setting up an interesting mystery.<ref name="hcg preview"/>
===Release=== {{Video game reviews | MC = 81/100 (PC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/necrobarista/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Necrobarista for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> | Destruct = 9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-necrobarista-598195.phtml|title=Review: Necrobarista|website=Destructoid|access-date=April 25, 2021|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111031649/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-necrobarista-598195.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> | GI = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/necrobarista/necrobarista-review-tasty-coffee-and-heartfelt-life-lessons|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829221916/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/necrobarista/necrobarista-review-tasty-coffee-and-heartfelt-life-lessons|url-status=live|archive-date=August 29, 2020|title=Necrobarista Review – Tasty Coffee And Heartfelt Life Lessons |magazine=Game Informer|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> | IGN = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/necrobarista-review|title=Necrobarista Review|website=IGN|date=28 July 2020 |access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> | Edge = 7/10 | PCGUS = 80/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/necrobarista-review/|title=Review: Necrobarista |website=PC Gamer|date=28 July 2020 |access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> | USG = 4/5<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/necrobarista-review|title=Necrobarista Review: Death, Stranded|website=USgamer|access-date=April 25, 2021|archive-date=November 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130195050/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/necrobarista-review|url-status=dead}}</ref> | GSpot = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/necrobarista-review/1900-6417511/|title=Necrobarista Review |website=GameSpot|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> }} ''Necrobarista'' received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Necrobarista|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/necrobarista/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=2021-03-07|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref> USGamer selected it as their Game of the Month for July 2020,<ref name="usg-1">{{cite web |last1=Van Allen |first1=Eric |title=USG Game of the Month: Necrobarista Is an Electric Story About Letting Go |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/usg-game-of-the-month-necrobarista-july-2020 |website=USGamer |access-date=14 March 2021 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303190623/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/usg-game-of-the-month-necrobarista-july-2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref> calling it "one of the more memorable visual novels I've played this year, if not ever".
The game's narrative and visuals received critical acclaim. Jody Macgregor, writing for PC Gamer, gave ''Necrobarista'' an 80 out of 100, saying “It's presented gorgeously, the camera finding interesting angles for every scene”.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|date=2020-07-28|title=Necrobarista review|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/au/necrobarista-review/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}}</ref> GameGrin's reviewer gave it a perfect score, calling it "a moving experience that you would be a fool to pass on".<ref name="gamegrin">{{cite web |last1=Waifu |first1=Judgemental |title=Necrobarista Review |url=https://www.gamegrin.com/reviews/necrobarista-review/ |website=GameGrin |date=31 August 2020 |access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref> Bella Blondeau of TheGamer, also giving ''Necrobarista'' a perfect score, praised the game's "uncomfortable" discussions around death and grief, saying the result was "perhaps one of the highest forms of art I can think of."<ref name="thegamer">{{cite web |last1=Blondeau |first1=Bella |title=Necrobarista Review |url=https://www.thegamer.com/necrobarista-review/ |website=TheGamer |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref>
''Necrobarista'''s gameplay received mixed reception. Reviewers singled out its "keyword" system, used for unlocking side content, as being confusing and difficult to navigate. GameSpot's Jordan Ramée cited it as a negative element of the game's experience, mentioning that "[there's] no sense of victory in earning the necessary fragment points you need to unlock side stories, as it's mostly guesswork".<ref name="gamespot-review">{{cite web |last1=Ramée |first1=Jordan |title=Necrobarista Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/necrobarista-review/1900-6417511/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref>
In March 2021, Steam users had rated ''Necrobarista'' "Very Positive", with 86% positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Necrobarista on Steam|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/725270/Necrobarista/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=store.steampowered.com|language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |+Awards !Year !Awards !Category !Result !Ref |- |2020 |Australian Game Developer Awards |Best Art |Won |<ref>{{Cite web|title=Here are your 2020 AGDA Winners|url=https://www.pixelsift.com.au/post/here-are-your-2020-agda-winners|access-date=2021-03-07|website=www.pixelsift.com.au}}</ref> |- |2020 |Golden Joystick Awards |Best Indie game |Nominated |<ref>{{Cite web|last=November 2020|first=Ben Tyrer 24|title=Hades wins the Best Indie Game award at this year's Golden Joystick Awards|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/au/hades-wins-the-best-indie-game-award-at-this-years-golden-joystick-awards/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=gamesradar|date=24 November 2020|language=en}}</ref> |- |2020 |IND13 Awards |Best writing |Nominated |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-16|title=IND13 announces the Winners of the 2020 IND13 Awards|url=https://www.ind13.com/ind13-announces-the-winners-of-the-2020-ind13-awards/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=IND13|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118135645/https://www.ind13.com/ind13-announces-the-winners-of-the-2020-ind13-awards/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2019 |Freeplay Awards |Excellence in Art |Won |<ref>{{Cite web|title=2019 Freeplay Awards|url=https://www.freeplay.net.au/awards-2019/|access-date=2021-03-07|archive-date=2023-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027044101/https://www.freeplay.net.au/awards-2019/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.necrobarista.com/}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R8fPRfRQ6w Gameplay Trailer] * {{vndb|24210}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
Category:2020 video games Category:Apple Arcade games Category:MacOS games Category:Melbourne in fiction Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Playism games Category:Single-player video games Category:Video games developed in Australia Category:Video games scored by Kevin Penkin Category:Visual novels Category:Windows games Category:IOS games