Cafe 0: The Drowned Mermaid

About

"Cafe 0: The Drowned Mermaid" is a single-player mystery simulation game with an interesting plot. Players uncover the past of a girl named Marin Umino, who finds herself in a mysterious cafe reliving the last seven days before her death. Through interactions with characters such as Ami, Tooru, and Shou, players will uncover connections to Marin's past and determine her fate. The game features Japanese voices in the demo and deluxe versions.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 88 reviews

story36 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features an interesting concept where players relive the last seven days of a character's life to uncover the mystery of her death.
The story has unexpected plot twists that keep players engaged, and the true ending is particularly rewarding.
Despite its short length, the game offers a unique experience with a dark and eerie atmosphere that sets it apart from typical visual novels.

The game is very short, with some players completing it in under 30 minutes, leading to feelings of it being overpriced for the content offered.
Character development is lacking, making it difficult for players to form attachments to the characters.
The art style and writing quality are often criticized as mediocre, detracting from the overall experience.

story
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
58%
8%
The story of "Cafe 0 ~the drowned mermaid~" is generally seen as intriguing but flawed, with many players appreciating its unique concept and unexpected plot twists, while also noting its brevity and lack of depth. Critics point out that the writing and character development are mediocre, leading to a somewhat predictable and linear narrative that can feel rushed. Overall, while the story has potential and engages some players, it leaves others wanting more in terms of execution and emotional impact.
- “Cafe 0 is an amazing short visual novel which explores the differing storylines of its patrons.”
- “It's a very bleak and dark story that kept me engaged the whole game.”
- “The story takes different twists and turns with all of your different choices and it all comes together in too perfect of a way in the true end.”
- “Honestly, I didn't like the true story.”
- “The whole setting and story seemed a little too depressing; also, I don't really support this kind of view on the world.”
- “The main character was obnoxiously reactionary to everything, and you learned so little about the other characters in the story that it was hard to care about them at all.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
78%
9%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players finding the art style jarring yet eventually appreciating its unique, somewhat creepy vibe. While the visuals are generally considered weak and not the game's strong suit, the character designs and overall artwork have been described as decent and professional, contributing to an enjoyable experience despite their flaws. Overall, the graphics are seen as above average, but they could benefit from further refinement.
- “The artwork had a curious style that I haven't seen in a while, but time appears to have been spent on making it look professional.”
- “The graphics are really above average.”
- “The cgs and the artwork are most certainly not the strong suits of the game, yet I ended up liking them a lot anyhow.”
- “The graphics are a bit different also.”
- “The artwork leaves the characters looking somewhat less than human, and the plot itself sounds a bit like an angsty teenager's daydream.”
- “But I cannot get over the art style; I couldn't find myself attracted to any of the characters.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many describing it as plain and forgettable, while others appreciate its ability to create an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. Some players found the soundtrack repetitive or barely noticeable, indicating a lack of engagement with the music. Overall, opinions vary from "okay" to "nice," but it seems to lack a standout quality.
- “I also liked the music in this title a lot; it works nicely to give that kind of eerie/mysterious atmosphere that I love to experience in games such as these.”
- “But music is good.”
- “- nice music.”
- “The soundtrack is merely okay, with the music being rather plain and forgettable.”
- “- music; repetitive”
- “Maybe because I was using less than 20 cents of my brain, I've forgotten if there even was any music or if my brain was too anxious to just get over with the game to register any.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
64%
21%
The gameplay is described as straightforward and easy to understand, with a focus on building knowledge from previous runs to achieve different endings. However, some players found it lacking in depth and engagement compared to other games, noting a lack of complex mechanics or surprises. Overall, while the unique mechanics are appreciated, they may not resonate with all players.
- “I have always liked that mechanic because it requires you to build on what you learn from previous runs to get the whole picture.”
- “Gameplay, without trying to spoil anything, is basically a good ending/bad ending thing.”
- “The gameplay is also straightforward; I was able to understand which routes I had to play first without much thinking, and the right answers are easy to guess.”
- “It's unique, but I wasn't really into the gameplay at all.”
- “There are no mechanics or hidden surprises to this game.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviews indicate a significant lack of character development, with many players feeling unable to form attachments to the characters due to insufficient depth and content in the writing. Overall, the consensus is that the game fails to provide meaningful character growth.
- “There wasn't enough character development for me to get attached to the characters.”
- “Character development is nonexistent.”
- “As far as the writing itself goes, each day could have included much more content and character development.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its eerie and mysterious qualities, significantly enhanced by its effective music, which resonates well with players who enjoy immersive experiences in this genre.
- “I also liked the music in this title a lot; it works nicely to create an eerie and mysterious atmosphere that I love to experience in games like this.”