Claire's Cruisin' Cafe
- October 28, 2020
- Alawar Casual
- 10h median play time
Get on SteamSet off on a cross-country journey to feed the famished masses from your gourmet food truck! Packed with lively characters and addictive gameplay, Claire's Cruisin' Cafe will satisfying your craving for fun even as it leaves you hungry for more!
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features enjoyable and addictive gameplay with multiple difficulty settings, catering to both casual and challenging play styles.
- The graphics and sound design are solid, contributing to an overall pleasant gaming experience.
- The story, while simple, adds a charming element to the gameplay, and the character interactions are lively and engaging.
- The level design can become repetitive over time, leading to a lack of surprise in tasks as the game progresses.
- The story presentation is bland, relying on speech bubbles without animation, which can feel dull after a few levels.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as the unclear purpose of upgrades and the difficulty of distinguishing between similar food items, can be frustrating.
- gameplay19 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Claire's Cruisin' Cafe" is generally considered addictive and engaging, featuring familiar mechanics from other Gamehouse titles, though it lacks minigames that are typically present. Players appreciate the innovative shared tray mechanic between characters, which adds a unique twist, but some feel that the lack of clear descriptions for character roles limits the gameplay experience. Overall, the game offers a good number of levels and hours of play, with appealing graphics and a solid foundation, though it could benefit from further refinement.
“Gamehouse titles are considered very good not only because of the gameplay that is highly addictive, but also because of the heartwarming stories that they deliver.”
“It has a similar level structure, very nice graphics, compelling gameplay with some innovative elements and on top of that it’s much more affordable ($6.99 vs $12.99).”
“Claire's Cruisin' Cafe brings you some lively characters, with a combination of addicting gameplay.”
“The mechanics can be a bit jarring with each cafe change, and sometimes the game expects you to just get some things, which kind of sucked.”
“The gameplay is basically the same as any Gamehouse game (and therefore as addictive as it gets), with one exception: there are no minigames. Some of the actions from Gamehouse titles require you to complete a very short minigame that involves rampant clicking and is usually timed.”
“However, there are no descriptions about what they do, and eventually, I concluded that these have a cosmetic purpose only, unlike in other games where upgrading your machines makes your gameplay easier (faster cook & refill time, more cups filled at once, etc.).”
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story is generally viewed as simple and somewhat uninspired, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate its humorous elements and character development, others find it bland and poorly presented, with static cutscenes and clichéd plot points. Overall, the narrative adds a lighthearted touch to the game, but many players feel it is not essential to the experience.
“The story serves as a bonus, adding life to what would have otherwise been purposeless cooking, even though it's not much and may seem a bit peculiar.”
“Characters... I was worried as to where the story was going, but then... it worked!”
“Between each fast-paced level, spend your earnings on upgrades for your restaurants and follow a humorous story of Claire's mishaps with a big-headed competitor and the identity of a mysterious food critic.”
“The story was uninspired and the art wasn't great, with my husband often walking in and saying it looked like I was playing a mobile game but on a PC.”
“In comparison to that, Claire's Cruisin' Cafe's story felt rather bland and cliché, and in some aspects extremely implausible (bad-guy rival turned into a good-guy in his free time - not while doing 'business' though - and then love interest).”
“However, there is some part that I feel is too bland; the cutscene at every level is still decent, but the way it is presented is boring. It just gives speech bubbles to tell the story without animation, which feels tedious after a few levels.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling, complemented by animated cutscenes and humorous dialogue. Players can unlock additional music and wallpapers as they progress, and the game offers basic sound settings for customization.
“It’s not what topics they address, it’s how they convey the message - with a touching soundtrack, animated cutscenes, emotional rollercoasters, quirky dialogue lines, and funny jokes.”
“Wallpapers and music bonuses can also be found in the bonus section, and you’ll unlock new wallpapers and music as you proceed through the game.”
“In the options, there are settings for sound and music volume sliders, full screen, and show hints, and that’s your lot.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their beauty and quality, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience. While some users note minor visual annoyances, the overall aesthetic is considered solid and appealing, especially given the game's affordability.
“It has a similar level structure, very nice graphics, compelling gameplay with some innovative elements, and on top of that, it’s much more affordable ($6.99 vs $12.99).”
“The graphics are really pretty; I love them very much.”
“+ Solid graphics and sound.”
“It has some annoyances in terms of visuals and an average, shallow story, but if you can get past these, it can prove to be as enjoyable as any other gamehouse game.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its clever dialogue, amusing scenarios, and a blend of quirky cutscenes that enhance the storytelling. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into the narrative, particularly through the protagonist's misadventures and interactions with a rival, making the experience both entertaining and engaging. Overall, the humor effectively complements the gameplay and adds depth to the storyline.
“When you have a sheep ton of people coming... that is exactly the wrong time to write a blog! That was hilarious though... and the punching match.”
“It’s not what topics they address, it’s how they convey the message - with a touching soundtrack, animated cutscenes, emotional rollercoasters, quirky dialogue lines, and funny jokes.”
“Between each fast-paced level, spend your earnings on upgrades for your restaurants and follow a humorous story of Claire's mishaps with a big-headed competitor and the identity of a mysterious food critic.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Gamehouse titles excel in emotional engagement through their heartwarming narratives, enhanced by touching soundtracks, animated cutscenes, and a blend of humor and poignant moments. Reviewers appreciate not just the themes explored, but the effective delivery that creates an emotional rollercoaster for players.
“Gamehouse titles are considered very good not only because of the gameplay that is highly addictive, but also because of the heartwarming stories that they deliver.”
“It’s not what topics they address, it’s how they convey the message - with a touching soundtrack, animated cutscenes, emotional rollercoasters, quirky dialogue lines, and funny jokes.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of this game to be minimal, with achievements requiring only a few level replays rather than extensive grinding. Compared to other games in the genre, the effort needed to unlock achievements is considered quite manageable.
“Grinding achievements: not really, the achievement for 1500 patrons took me only 3 replays of a level after beating the game.”
“I only had to replay a few levels to get those two missing achievements; I wouldn't call that grinding, especially compared to how much grinding some of the other Gamehouse games have.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised, with users noting that levels run smoothly and performance issues are minimal, ensuring a stable experience on PC.
“Thankfully, the levels run smoothly, and the PC does not fly around the room.”
“The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
“I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it runs flawlessly without any noticeable lag.”
