Hookah Haze
- July 10, 2024
- ACQUIRE Corp.
"Hookah Haze" is a visual novel set in a hookah lounge in Akihabara, where you play as the new manager, Toru Sumiki. Engage in heartfelt conversations with unique patrons, uncovering changes within your own heart as you enjoy tranquil nights. The game features multiple endings for each heroine, with a total gameplay time of around 10 hours. The heroines who visit the lounge will change based on popular recipes shared on social media.
Reviews
- Hookah Haze features adorable characters and a unique art style that enhances the overall experience.
- The game has a charming soundtrack that complements its cozy atmosphere, making it enjoyable to play.
- It explores deep themes of life, death, and human connection through relatable character interactions.
- The story is relatively short and lacks depth, making it difficult to fully engage with the characters.
- Some players found the gameplay mechanics simplistic and repetitive, leading to a less satisfying experience.
- The English translation has minor typos, and character sprites can appear blurry, detracting from the visual quality.
- story37 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as simple and short, with emotional endings that lack sufficient buildup, leaving some players wanting more depth and character development. While the character interactions are charming and the themes of mental health resonate well, many reviewers feel that the narrative could benefit from additional content and exploration. Overall, the story is enjoyable and heartwarming, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex or lengthy experience.
“The story genuinely made me laugh, smile, and cry—cry a lot! Give this one a go; it's worth the cost.”
“It's a touching yet fun story.”
“A nice, short game with cute aesthetics and adorable characters; the story is enjoyable and heartwarming.”
“I would not go into this game expecting an extremely deep story, as although the various endings can be emotional, the lead-up is not fleshed out enough to give a proper payoff to the endings, in my opinion.”
“The novel is very short, and I believe if the developers had more time and budget, they could have made it far longer, just based on how the story played out.”
“I cannot recommend this game if you focus on storytelling.”
- graphics29 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of Hookah Haze are widely praised for their charming pixel art style and unique aesthetic, which many players find adorable and fitting for the game's themes. The character designs are particularly noted for their endearing qualities, contributing to a cozy and immersive atmosphere. While some critiques mention a lack of originality compared to similar titles, the overall visual presentation and accompanying music create a delightful experience that resonates with players.
“The art style caught my eye when I saw this game, and I can confidently say that the music and characters you'll interact with are just as good.”
“Outstanding visuals and music too!”
“The game itself is just a vibe, the graphical quality is downright beautiful and from what I've seen so far the game seems to have a lot of content.”
“Having played through one run, it really does feel like a cash grab that tries to mimic the aesthetics of needy streamer overload or the experience of Valhalla, both of which I have admittedly not played before, but the lack of originality really shows, especially in how it falls short in failing to satisfy in either.”
“Even with the lack of depth in character conversations aside, the aesthetics look more static and amateurish than they should.”
“It's got the same cyberpunk neon aesthetic, the same general concept, and the same focus on interacting with a cast of quirky characters through mixing things and changing lives.”
- music23 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in "Hookah Haze" is widely praised for its chill and cozy vibe, enhancing the game's unique atmosphere and storytelling. Players appreciate the diverse soundtrack, which includes standout tracks and even contributions from well-known artists like deco*27, making it a significant aspect of the overall experience. The combination of enjoyable music and charming visuals creates an engaging and immersive environment that resonates with players.
“The soundtrack really hits the spot and brings to life the story alongside the seriously incredible and unique UI.”
“The music feels cozy and the game also has some songs made for it by deco*27, which was a big surprise for me. If you listen to Vocaloid in any capacity, you should be familiar with that name.”
“The music is really chill and fits the atmosphere of the game; the pixel art design for everything is really charming and well animated, and the characters are really well done too!”
“Really, the only thing keeping players going on is the music which can be toggled like a playlist.”
“What's stopping me from just playing the soundtracks in the background while I play other games instead?”
“The music feels cozy and the game also has some songs made for it by deco*27 which was a big surprise for me; if you listen to vocaloid in any capacity, you should be familiar with that name.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity, featuring a basic loop of mixing shisha and interacting with characters, reminiscent of va-11 hall-a but lacking its depth. While the charming pixel art and character interactions provide some enjoyment, many players feel the mechanics are shallow and repetitive, leading to a less satisfying experience overall. Despite its appealing atmosphere, the gameplay does not significantly evolve beyond the demo, leaving some players wanting more complexity and engagement.
“The game has a very simple mechanical loop of putting out daily specials, tending to up to three girls' hookah and their life issues, and enjoying banter and comfy anime pixel art reminiscent of va-11 hall-a (the similarities, for what it's worth, end there).”
“While the mechanics are rather simple, it still gives a sense of getting to know the characters and honing your craft to make them happy, seeing their faces light up when you get it perfect.”
“It offers a similar vibe to va-11 hall-a when it comes to the gameplay and visuals while offering an entirely new experience in story, atmosphere, and cast.”
“The gameplay and routes are pretty shallow, especially when compared to Va-11 Hall-A, which it seems to take inspiration from.”
“If you weren't sold from the demo, I regret to inform you that the full game doesn't seem to add enough depth to justify the price tag of an expensive lunch; interactions with the characters didn't seem to go much beyond the surface level, and I felt like I was focusing on clicking through 14 days' worth of text to reach the endings, which didn't feel as satisfying as it should be given the seemingly lackluster main gameplay.”
“Now, if you stayed for the harsher and more detailed criticism, I feel like the main gameplay just feels cheap.”
- emotional13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of heartwarming moments and poignant endings, though some players feel the story lacks depth to fully engage with the characters. Despite its occasional cheesiness, the game is praised for its wholesome themes of human connection and comfort, often evoking tears while remaining enjoyable and fun. Overall, it offers a unique blend of emotional experiences, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a relaxing yet impactful gaming experience.
“10/10 would cry again.”
“Really wholesome game about finding meaning in human interaction and comforts.”
“It's a touching yet fun story.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its charming pixel art aesthetics and calming vibe, reminiscent of titles like *VA-11 HALL-A*. Players appreciate the well-animated visuals, chill music, and engaging characters, creating a comfortable environment that encourages repeated play. Despite some narrative issues, the overall ambiance is cherished and contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“You are roped into a comfortable and calm atmosphere that you do not want to leave and always come back to.”
“The music is really chill and fits the atmosphere of the game, the pixel art design for everything is really charming and well animated, and the characters are really well done too!”
“It offers a similar vibe to 'va-11 hall-a' when it comes to the gameplay and visuals while offering an entirely new experience in story, atmosphere, and cast.”
“Despite this and other story issues I had (short days/conversations, unrealistic time skips), I truly adore this game and will certainly return to it, as this visual novel genre and atmosphere is something to devotedly cherish.”
“Hookah Haze has the same vibe and atmosphere as VA-11 Hall-A, but instead of hookah, it's alcohol.”
“It offers a similar vibe to VA-11 Hall-A when it comes to the gameplay and visuals while offering an entirely new experience in story, atmosphere, and cast.”
- character development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted to be somewhat limited due to the short timeframe of 14 in-game days, which may hinder deeper connections between the main character, Toru, and the three regular guests. However, the game's charming art style and character designs are highly praised, contributing to an overall positive impression despite the brevity of character interactions.
“The art of this game is so amazing, and I love all of the character designs!”
“When you play as the main character (terminally ill Toru, they/them), you get 14 in-game days that pass by almost too quickly for there to be any in-depth character development between the main character and the three regular guests.”
“The art style is super cute, really up my alley, and I think Amu has the most endearing character design for me.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its cute and funny elements, particularly through the character dynamics and amusing plot twists, such as the hilarious abandoned ending. While the overall plot may be considered generic, the charm of characters like Kurumi and Kokoro adds to the comedic appeal.
“The plot is quite generic, though I really loved Kurumi and Kokoro's good endings. The abandoned ending is hilarious!”
“This game is so cute and funny!”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.
“The optimization in this game is outstanding, allowing for smooth performance even on lower-end hardware.”
“I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the game mechanics for optimal performance, making every session enjoyable.”
“The game's optimization ensures that loading times are minimal, allowing players to dive right into the action without delays.”
“The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
“I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
“The optimization is so bad that loading times are unacceptably long, even for simple tasks.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for resembling an addictive advertisement, particularly in its approach to encouraging spending, which some users liken to promoting nicotine addiction.
“This game feels more like a cash grab than a genuine experience.”
“The monetization tactics are aggressive and ruin the overall enjoyment.”
“It's frustrating how much you have to spend to unlock basic features.”