Cafe 0: The Sleeping Beast

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In Cafe 0: The Sleeping Beast, players are transported to a European-style village in the 19th century and take on the role of Corliss Green, a worker at a noble villa. After waking up in front of a mysterious cafe, Corliss is told by the waiter Noir that she has died and ended up at the entrance to Café 0 as a lost spirit. With a chance to return to a week before her death, Corliss must uncover the truth behind her untimely demise in this supernatural mystery visual novel, fully voiced in Japanese.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 31 reviews

story19 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The story is engaging and thought-provoking, with a mix of mystery and emotional depth that keeps players invested.
The character development is well-executed, particularly the protagonist Corliss, who evolves throughout the game as she uncovers her past.
The art, soundtrack, and voice acting are of high quality, contributing to an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

The plot can feel underwhelming and lacks depth, with some players finding the endings too convenient and the big reveals disappointing.
Character designs and art style may not appeal to everyone, with some describing them as amateurish or unappealing.
The gameplay can become tedious due to the need to replay routes to unlock the full story, which may frustrate some players.

story
54 mentions
35 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of Cafe 0 is described as intriguing and layered, with a dark and tragic atmosphere that unfolds gradually through multiple routes, requiring players to engage deeply to uncover the full narrative. While some found the plot engaging and filled with emotional depth, others criticized it for being vague and lacking a satisfying payoff, particularly in its handling of themes like love and human nature. Overall, the game is noted for its complex characters and well-crafted twists, though opinions vary on its execution and clarity.
- “The story itself is a little dark and tragic, especially before you start the true endings and find out all of the emotions.”
- “The plot is engaging and arouses my curiosity about the truth of the mystery.”
- “A very well thought out plot with deep, emotive themes.”
- “I felt like the whole plot had so much potential but it just did not deliver.”
- “Overall, I thought it was pretty boring and the payoff for the mystery/sitting through the story was lackluster.”
- “Unfortunately, how the story played out was a little disappointing since 'the incident' was so emphasized/dramatized.”
music
14 mentions
50 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The music in the game received mixed reviews, with some players finding it bland and unremarkable, while others praised it as lovely and atmospheric, effectively matching the scenes and enhancing the overall experience. The original soundtrack, composed by Yuang Chen and performed by the Seycara Orchestra, was highlighted as a standout feature, with many considering it a professional quality that elevates the game. Overall, while opinions varied, the majority appreciated the music's contribution to the game's emotional depth and presentation.
- “The music was lovely and the art was good, even though I thought one of the main characters kind of had an awkward pose.”
- “Soundtrack and all art are pretty great, and very atmospheric.”
- “Also, the game soundtrack prepared by Yuang Chen and performed by the Seycara Orchestra is a complete delight, fitting for a glorious anime OVA even.”
- “The character art was pretty amateurish, the music was bland, and the characters/plot felt really 1-dimensional.”
- “The characters didn't have any depth, the backgrounds were boring and the music was bland.”
- “Recommended when game with theme song and soundtrack DLC are at discount or in bundle offer as it takes less than 10 hours to unlock all past memories, reach all endings and unlock all CGs and achievements.”
gameplay
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The gameplay offers 6-7 hours of experience, with a simple yet engaging mechanic that encourages replaying to uncover different storylines, though some players may find the clunky dialogue and repetitive nature confusing. The game features multiple save slots and options to skip sections, enhancing the experience of exploring various narrative branches. Overall, it combines elements of choice-driven and kinetic visual novels, providing a well-crafted narrative and immersive artwork.
- “The game has plenty of save slots to allow different gameplay and dialogue choices to be made during the game, with a different colored heart (black, blue, green, or red) or gold gear popup icon to reach a different storyline branch and the option to skip and fast-forward any part of the game.”
- “Gameplay itself is somewhere between a choice option visual novel and a kinetic visual novel since the choices that we have here are not various, yet their results reinvent the storyline so massively, you don't get bored of reading it.”
- “What we have here is a visual novel well-done with all its mechanics, artwork, narrative functions, and setting development.”
- “The gameplay is simple, but at the same time, I have mixed feelings about it.”
- “The overall plot is pretty interesting, and I had some real 'wow' moments once I put the pieces together, but the gameplay mechanic of replaying the game over and over to unlock the truth, along with some clunky dialogue bits, can really confuse the player.”
- “Gameplay itself is somewhere between a choice option visual novel and a kinetic visual novel since the choices we have here are not varied, yet their results reinvent the storyline so massively that you don't get bored of reading it.”
graphics
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally well-received, with users appreciating the art style and noting significant improvement compared to the previous installment. While some players express a preference for a more anime-like aesthetic, the overall artwork is considered nice and contributes positively to the visual novel's experience.
- “The art style is likable, in my humble opinion.”
- “Compared to the previous installation, 'Cafe 0: The Sleeping Beast' displays a magnificent growth in the artwork department.”
- “What we have here is a visual novel well done with all its mechanics, artwork, narrative functions, and setting development.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its dark and intriguing qualities, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and impressive art. Reviewers appreciate how the story and characters contribute to a compelling and immersive experience, making it a standout in the atmospheric mystery visual novel genre.
- “The story has a dark and intriguing atmosphere.”
- “Soundtrack and all art are pretty great, and very atmospheric.”
- “The plot and characters are really good, and most of the OST really suits the atmosphere of the situation.”
- “The plot and characters are really good, a lot better than the drowned mermaid, and most of the OST really suits the atmosphere of the situation.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be a compelling mix of heartwarming moments and deeper philosophical exchanges, leading to a satisfying yet sometimes challenging emotional journey. The narrative is praised for its mystery and twists, while also evoking a range of feelings, making it a recommended experience for those seeking an emotional ride.
- “Without spoiling, I was satisfied by the true ending and really enjoyed reading and finding out what was going on the whole way through, even if it got a little emotionally rough for me by the end.”
- “The game is not a tragedy exactly, but if you want something that can touch or mess with your feelings depending on how emotional you are, I would recommend this ride of feels.”
- “Great story with lots of mystery and twists, but also heartwarming and funny moments.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a compelling story filled with mystery and twists, complemented by heartwarming and humorous moments. Players appreciate the inclusion of comedic scenes and interactions that enhance the overall experience.
- “Great story with lots of mystery and twists, but also heartwarming and funny moments.”
- “The game also has a bit of comedy with funny scenes and interactions.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect somewhat tedious, although the skip feature for previously read text alleviates some frustration. The game's relatively short length of around 5 hours helps mitigate the grind, but it still remains a point of contention for some.
- “The skip feature makes text you've already read less of a problem, and the game isn't extremely long (I clocked in just under 5 hours), but I still found it a bit tedious.”
- “Grinding feels like a chore rather than an engaging part of the game, making the experience drag on longer than it should.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding takes away from the enjoyment, turning what could be exciting gameplay into a monotonous task.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers find the character development appealing, noting both the engaging personalities crafted by the writer and the attractive art and character designs.
- “So far, I find the characters appealing in both the personality the writers have given them and the art/character designs themselves.”