The Boba Teashop

About

The Boba Teashop is a single player casual simulation game with horror and business themes. It was developed by Mike Ten and was released on April 20, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

A cozy horror game where you own and manage a boba tea shop. Prepare boba teas, serve customers, and expand your menu to grow your business.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 651 reviews

story41 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Engaging blend of cozy boba tea shop simulation with effective psychological horror elements.
Satisfying and enjoyable boba tea making gameplay that complements the horror atmosphere.
Well-paced story with a surprising and memorable twist ending that enhances the overall experience.

Very short game length with limited replay value and lack of modes like endless or freeplay.
Some gameplay elements, such as timed orders and fixed jump scares, can be frustrating or repetitive.
Occasional bugs, underexplained story points, and some controversial character portrayals detract from immersion.

story
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
56%
4%
The story is generally praised for its subtle, atmospheric, and progressively darker narrative with effective plot twists that keep players engaged, though some find it short, simple, or lacking depth and clarity. It blends horror with social commentary and uses environmental storytelling rather than heavy exposition, creating an eerie yet cozy vibe. While the pacing and storytelling are appreciated, a few reviewers wished for more content, longer playtime, or additional modes to extend the experience.
- “The story is well written, the characters show development, even in just short dialogue boxes and it makes for a really solid story that functions as both a good horror and a portrayal of the depressing and unempathetic nature of corporate life.”
- “Rather than relying on overt exposition, the game invites players to piece together fragments of Risa’s backstory and mental state by paying close attention to changing details within the shop and the progressively disturbing hallucinations she endures.”
- “The story is solid and grows progressively darker and more twisted through the 7 days of your shift.”
- “The story is bland, customers while likeable are not fleshed out, and the jump scares are just a bit boring.”
- “However, the plot is pretty lame (especially the ending), and the making-fun-of-fat-people character gets pretty tired pretty quickly.”
- “But instead, the game reduced itself to a generic and unexplained ghost story, leaving it mediocre and flavorless.”
gameplay
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The gameplay centers on a simple, satisfying boba tea-making simulation that is easy to pick up and offers a cozy, relaxing vibe mixed with effective jump scares. While short and somewhat repetitive, the core mechanics are polished and engaging, appealing especially to fans of food-service simulators with a horror twist. Some players noted missed opportunities for deeper complexity and variety, but overall the experience is enjoyable and well-balanced for its brief runtime.
- “The core gameplay mechanic is simple yet polished and it keeps you engaged.”
- “On one hand, players engage in the straightforward, almost meditative gameplay of mixing milk teas, adding tapioca pearls, and carefully sealing cups—a process that feels both familiar and oddly satisfying.”
- “The setup is nice and slowburn, with enough creepiness for the early game to build intrigue and a simple and satisfying gameplay loop/boba making system that's honestly fun despite the spooky bits.”
- “The crucial part of such horror games is the gameplay about serving customers and in this game it's plain boring and not fluent.”
- “I'm baffled at the amount of positivity this has garnered considering how barebones the gameplay itself is.”
- “Also not worth the price at all, there is less than 1 hour worth of gameplay.”
atmosphere
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
38%
5%
The game excels in creating a unique, tense atmosphere that skillfully blends cozy and unsettling elements, delivering a psychologically rich horror experience without relying heavily on cheap jump scares. Its gradual build-up of dread, supported by effective use of sound, visuals, and environmental storytelling, results in an engaging and memorable mood that enhances both gameplay and narrative. Overall, the atmosphere is widely praised as a standout feature that elevates this indie horror sim.
- “The atmosphere is the perfect blend of unsettling and cozy, the graphics give that almost analog/early 2000s feel, and the characters are just fleshed out enough to keep you interested without the story overstaying its welcome.”
- “To avoid spoilers as much as I can, I will just say that the atmosphere in this game, although it seems rather lighthearted at first, slowly shifts to mounting dread that made me take numerous breaks during my playthrough.”
- “The game itself is so creepy just in its tense atmosphere and the building suspense of what will happen next that I think the jump scare stuff could have been left out entirely and you'd still have the right effect.”
- “The game has a spooky atmosphere but it's not really scary.”
- “I've played so many horror games, but the atmosphere in this is just so tense and awful, more than a lot of them.”
- “Atmosphere changes quickly from calm to tense to eerie.”
graphics
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
42%
12%
The game's graphics feature a nostalgic PS1/VHS-inspired art style that effectively creates an eerie, unsettling atmosphere without relying on heavy jump scares. The simple yet carefully crafted visuals enhance the horror experience, blending cozy and creepy aesthetics that players find both charming and immersive. Overall, the graphics are praised for their contribution to the game's unique tension and mood.
- “The graphics are simple but contribute to the feeling of dread as you stand behind the counter waiting for the next simpleton to order a drink.”
- “The atmosphere is the perfect blend of unsettling and cozy, the graphics give that almost analog/early 2000s feel, and the characters are just fleshed out enough to keep you interested without the story overstaying its welcome.”
- “Visually, the game embraces a VHS-inspired aesthetic that beautifully complements its eerie mood.”
- “Also, because of the graphics, it reminds me a lot of PS1 games.”
- “The visuals play a big part in what makes this game so eerie.”
- “There are so many horror games in this graphical style, and quite a few are derivative of each other's at best and garbage at worst, but this one does it alright.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The music in the game is widely praised for creating a fitting atmosphere, with a calm and cute soundtrack that enhances the vibe and adds to the immersive experience. While some users felt unbalanced time requirements affected their enjoyment, others appreciated how the music effectively conveyed anxiety and complemented the game's mood without relying solely on typical horror cues. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element that significantly enriches the gameplay.
- “Great music and atmosphere, hard to get right but it's been pulled off fantastically here.”
- “The vibe, music and tasks are perfect.”
- “I could feel the anxiety the character was feeling with the music and what the customers were saying, so I feel the whole situation was portrayed very well.”
- “Its not terrible but no music and unbalanced time requirements ruined my experience.”
- “A small note for consideration is, I did play some DMCA-free classic diner music very quietly in the background, as well as a rain track.”
- “But I think playing your own music quietly in the background makes it feel more like you're running your own shop, and doesn't take away from the scares at all.”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game offers minimal replayability, primarily limited to pursuing achievements, with no additional modes or content to encourage repeated playthroughs. Its short length and straightforward experience result in little incentive for replay beyond the initial completion.
- “Good atmosphere that properly sets the mood, with some replay value to get all of the achievements.”
- “♥ Re-playable - short and sweet.”
- “I don't regret buying this, but I just wish there was a sandbox mode or some kind of replayability.”
- “The game is pretty straightforward and has a few things to say about mental health, though the replay value is virtually non-existent.”
- “There is no replay value; what you see is what you get.”
- “The only "bad" thing I have to say is that it ended way too fast (~1 hour long) and, as an extension of this, doesn't really have any replay value unless you like to go for achievements.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the game's humor entertaining, often laughing at moments intended to be scary, such as jump scares and quirky customer interactions. The blend of cozy visuals and humorous, sometimes terrifying, tea-making adds a lighthearted charm that balances the spooky elements. Overall, the humor contributes to a fun and enjoyable experience.
- “When I first booted up the game, we both started laughing instantly.”
- “Honestly, the jump scare made me laugh more than scream.”
- “- Very interesting story with some funny interactions with customers.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes a wide range of emotions, from calm and wholesome moments to intense and disturbing experiences, creating a memorable and impactful emotional journey. Players often feel deeply connected but also emotionally drained by the end.
- “Well, the calm music made me feel good but the game gets really disturbing by the last day!”
- “Cool game, definitely a wholesome experience!”
- “Instead I blinked twice, lost 3 years of eyesight, screamed 3 times, bonded with pixel customers, and now I'm emotionally unemployed because the game ended too fast.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game is repetitive and tedious, often requiring players to restart entire shifts, which can feel frustrating and time-consuming.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Having to start the whole shift all over again makes it really repetitive and tedious.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game demonstrates strong stability, with smooth gameplay and no reported bugs or glitches, and performs well on the Steam Deck.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is optimized for shorter play sessions, so potential buyers should be aware that it may not offer an extended gameplay experience.