VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action Reviews
At its core, VA-11 Hall-A is the rare cyberpunk story that has heart, and even goes so far as to give its female characters agency in their own lives. It’s a story where we, the player, take the backseat, and soak it all in. Just like a good book.
A short and sweet game about mixing drinks and changing lives.
The kind of game that would surely earn the accolade of “cyberpunk bartending at its finest” if any other game had ever tried cyberpunk bartending. A character-rich visual novel that's as stylish as it is weirdly compelling.
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action really impressed me with just how interesting its colorful cast of characters and topics were.
With an unforgettable cast of characters, VA-11 HALL-A provides one of the warmest story driven experiences in a video game.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action, a great addition to the visual novel library on the PlayStation Vita back then, is now a perfect addition to the PlayStation 4 library.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
VA-11 Hall-A's fresh take on the visual novel genre makes the jump to consoles with relative ease. Those that don't mind the occasional bit of salty language will find a cyberpunk adventure that will captivate you to the very end.
Overall, VA-11 HALL-A on the Switch is a marvelous port that works far better than I ever expected it to. The new controls may take some getting used to, but after a few minutes tinkering with them I found they came pretty naturally, and overall the game has kept the charm and likeability that drew me to it back in 2016. Gameplay may get a bit stale after long sessions of play, but for small relaxing wind-down sessions at the end of the night, you'll find no better place to be than in Jill's head during yet another shift at the bar.
When I think about the best visual novels out there - the likes of Steins;Gate and Danganronpa, VA-11 HALL-A shares many of the same traits. It's thoughtfully written, to provide some deeper insights and philosophical musics that help to elevate the game above being simple entertainment... but at the same time it does so in a vibrant and deeply entertaining way. And it is impossible to put down.
The visual novel VA-11 HALL-A arrived on Nintendo Switch, mixing drinks and changing lives with great characters and tons of style.
Having never played a bartending game in my life before this year I find it unusual that I’m now reviewing my second one...
In summation, VA-11 HALL-A was well worth the wait on my Vita. It drew me in much deeper than I would have thought possible, making me actually care about the lives of these characters. Kudos as well to Sukeban Games for subtly tying in themes of consciousness, sexual identity, depression, true friendship, love and much more. For $14.99, VA-11 HALL-A is a game every Vita fan should own. It’s full of heart, drama and hope. My only hope now is that the world of the game gets expanded in the future, as I would love a sequel or something similar from the developers. VA-11 HALL-A is the bar I desperately need in my own life, and after playing it, you’ll feel the same.
VA-11 HALL-A is one of the best visual novels available and a great starting point for those unfamiliar with the genre. It's delightfully polished retro-inspired visuals are accompanied by a truly original soundtrack and the stories of Jill and the various characters are immeasurably strong.
Sukeban first game is still a wonderful simulator. For some people won't be a deep experience, but still is a relaxing game with a very interesting lore. One of the greatest things about this game is that finally... is available in a platform that's not PS Vita.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If you like choose-your-own-adventure style books and like to explore all the options, then VA-11 HALL-A is a perfect choice. You will be hard pressed to find a better narrative-driven form of entertainment this year.
Behind meme humour and Lolita looks hides a game that tells deeply human stories with a simple but effective mechanic.
Review in German | Read full review
Anyone who enjoys visual novels, or great stories in general, should stop by VA11-HALL-A for a refreshing drink.
Despite VA-11 Hall-A’s commendable ability to create an elaborate, futuristic environment via a relatively simple medium, it’s ultimately a frustrating endeavor. The unique characters are not enough to overcome the exasperating surprises and a story that tapers off. As such, VA-11 Hall-A misses an opportunity to be an engaging, memorable experience.
VA-11 Hall-A offers no challenge. Its not a game you will remember for its controls or its multiplayer, but you will remember the experience, and if you ask me. That's worth it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review