Hookah Haze

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 308 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Hookah Haze Game Cover
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"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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 308 reviews
story14 positive mentions
gameplay4 negative mentions
  • The game features charming pixel art aesthetics and a cozy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The characters are well-designed and have unique personalities, making interactions enjoyable and relatable.
  • The soundtrack is relaxing and complements the game's vibe, with standout tracks that players appreciate.
  • The story is quite short and lacks depth, leaving players wanting more character development and meaningful interactions.
  • Gameplay mechanics are simplistic and can feel repetitive, with limited engagement beyond reading text.
  • Some players have noted issues with the English translation and sprite quality, which detracts from the visual experience.
  • story64 mentions

    The story of the game is described as simple and short, yet touching and enjoyable, with characters that effectively convey their mental struggles. While many reviewers appreciated the heartwarming narrative and charming aesthetics, they also noted that the brevity and lack of depth in gameplay hindered the overall storytelling experience. Some felt that the characters deserved a more intricate plot, suggesting that with additional time and resources, the story could have been significantly expanded.

    • “It's a touching yet fun story.”
    • “Absolutely loved the story.”
    • “A nice, short game with cute aesthetics and adorable characters, the story is enjoyable and heartwarming.”
    • “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.”
    • “Though this unfortunately seems to do more harm than good overall, as I realized that these characters were way too intricate to be the stars of a story written this generically.”
    • “I cannot recommend this game if you focus on storytelling.”
  • graphics54 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art aesthetics and endearing character designs, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and music, noting that they enhance the overall experience, although some express concerns about originality and depth in the art style. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “The art style is super cute, really up my alley, and I think Amu has the most endearing character design for me.”
    • “Graphics are absolutely stunning!”
    • “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.”
    • “I am looking forward to generous updates in terms of content and aesthetics/audio, as I have had to unfortunately cross 2 hours (the refund threshold) in order to play through a single run.”
  • gameplay40 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a simple shisha mixing mechanic and a visual novel format, drawing comparisons to va-11 hall-a but lacking its depth and complexity. While the charming pixel art and character interactions provide some enjoyment, many players feel the gameplay is shallow and repetitive, with limited auditory effects and a lack of satisfying progression. Overall, it offers a light, bite-sized experience but may not justify its price for those seeking more substantial gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • music38 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with standout tracks like "Ladybug" and contributions from notable artists like deco*27. Players appreciate the relaxing and cozy atmosphere created by the soundtrack, which complements the charming pixel art and engaging character interactions. While some feel it doesn't quite match the excellence of other titles like "VA-11 Hall-A," the customizable jukebox and sound design add significant enjoyment to the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack really hits the spot and brings to life the story alongside the seriously incredible and unique UI.”
    • “The music and aesthetics are wonderful; the playlist never got old for me, but I was delighted to find out that I could stop the music and just listen to the rain to set the mood 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.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its charming pixel art aesthetics and calming vibe, drawing comparisons to titles like *va-11 hall-a*. Players feel immersed in a comfortable environment that encourages repeated visits, enhanced by chill music and well-animated characters. Despite some narrative issues, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature that adds 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.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The game is described as a touching and emotional experience, blending fun with heartwarming moments, though it often leads to bittersweet endings that can feel burdensome. While some players found the lack of focus on the protagonist's life diminished their engagement, many appreciated the cute aesthetics and overall wholesome narrative, recommending it for those seeking a chill yet impactful gaming experience.

    • “It's a touching yet fun story.”
    • “A nice, short game with cute aesthetics and adorable characters, the story is enjoyable and heartwarming.”
    • “It's really wholesome and it can be a bit sad to play, but by all means try it, it's totally worth it!!!”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is perceived as limited, with only 14 in-game days that feel too brief for meaningful interactions between the main character, Toru, and the three regular guests. While the character designs are praised for their cuteness and appeal, the overall depth of character relationships suffers due to the short timeframe.

    • “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 of this game is so amazing, and I love all of the character designs!”
    • “Though if I'm being honest, the one thing that drew me in was the stellar character design; if you like staring at cute girls, this is definitely one of the games of all time.”
    • “When you play as the MC (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 MC and the 3 regular guests.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, with players finding it both cute and funny, particularly enjoying the hilarious "abandoned" ending. While the overall plot may be considered generic, the comedic elements and character endings, especially for Kurumi and Kokoro, add a delightful charm to the experience.

    • “This game is so cute and funny!”
    • “The plot is quite generic, though I really loved Kurumi and Kokoro's good endings. The abandoned ending is hilarious!”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game's optimization is generally strong, with users consistently highlighting good performance across various systems. There are no significant complaints regarding lag or frame rate issues, suggesting a well-optimized experience.

  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as being overly aggressive, likening it to a form of nicotine addiction advertisement, suggesting that it prioritizes profit over player experience.

    • “This game feels more like a nicotine addiction advertisement than an actual game.”
    • “The monetization strategy is so aggressive that it overshadows the gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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