VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
- June 21, 2016
- Sukeban Games
- 15h median play time
VA-11 Hall-A is a funny, thought-provoking, and sometimes tragic work of art, with truly original gameplay and a beautiful aesthetic unlike anything else on the market.
Get on SteamIn VA-11 Hall-A, you play as a bartender in a cyberpunk setting, serving drinks to a diverse cast of characters while uncovering a captivating story through dialogue-based encounters. Mix drinks, manage your income, and maintain the bar to build relationships and reveal the world's secrets. This unique visual novel combines engaging storytelling with bartending gameplay for a one-of-a-kind experience.
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Reviews
- story4,140 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of *Va-11 Hall-A* is widely praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, set against a richly crafted cyberpunk backdrop. Players experience the lives of various patrons through their interactions with the protagonist, Jill, as she serves drinks and listens to their stories, creating a unique blend of slice-of-life storytelling and character-driven drama. While the gameplay is simple and primarily revolves around mixing drinks, the emotional depth and relatability of the characters make the story compelling and memorable, often resonating with players on a personal level.
“The story is fantastic, filled with memorable characters who come into your bar with their own lives, problems, and personalities.”
“My first ever visual novel, and one of my favorite games of all time, va-11 hall-a tells an amazing story filled with realistic societal elements, mentally complex and entertaining characters, an amazing atmosphere, and a stunning musical soundtrack.”
“The characters feel alive and you will end up empathizing with them, especially thanks to the nice story which develops progressively as you play.”
“The story, on the other hand, meanders a lot without arriving anywhere, setting up subplot after subplot only to never mention them again, blurting out every idea that comes to mind without seeing it through to its logical conclusion.”
“Many plot threads I was really invested in dead end and the last time you see many characters is very unceremonious, and left me wanting a conclusion, or at the very least more.”
“The story ends in the middle of a conversation in the middle of nothing interesting happening.”
- music2,947 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Va-11 Hall-A" has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. Players appreciate the diverse soundtrack, which features a mix of synthwave and electronic tracks that perfectly complement the cyberpunk setting, and the ability to customize the jukebox adds a personal touch to the experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as one of the best in gaming, with some even purchasing it separately to enjoy outside of the game.
“The soundtrack complements the atmosphere so well that I found myself just not doing anything and just listening to the music.”
“The music is perfect, a great mix of synths, cyber beats, and chill lo-fi to give you a wide range of listening experiences while you are immersed in the story.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal, the setting is fantastic, the art style is iconic, and the characters are well-written.”
“The music in this game is so chill I had to look it up and add it to my lo-fi chill beats playlist.”
“The only real problem with that is that it can likely play certain songs at very inappropriate moments, most notably when having very upbeat or intense songs playing at really sad or dramatic moments, leaving it up to you to change the song if you really don't like the match-up.”
“The soundtrack was a bit hit-or-miss in terms of quality, but there are some fantastic tracks and they're all a perfect fit for the game's cyberpunk setting.”
- gameplay1,554 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in *Va-11 Hall-A* is primarily centered around a simple bartending mechanic where players mix drinks for various patrons, which serves as a unique way to influence the narrative. While the gameplay is often described as minimal and repetitive, it effectively complements the engaging story and character interactions, making it a relaxing experience for fans of visual novels. Overall, the game prioritizes storytelling and character development over complex gameplay mechanics, appealing to those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences.
“Even though I’m not into visual novels, Va-11 Hall-A stands out because of its unique mix of gameplay, story, art, and atmosphere.”
“The gameplay is simple but hooks you quickly and doesn't let go.”
“The gameplay consists of players making and serving drinks to bar attendees while listening to their stories and experiences.”
“The gameplay feels a little like 'Papers, Please', but it lacks the depth and challenge that made that game engaging.”
“The gameplay is very simple, there's dialogue, a tiny bit of resource management, and a mixing game, but what the game lacks in gameplay it more than makes up in atmosphere and writing.”
“The gameplay is minimal and very relaxing, but it can get repetitive quickly, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- graphics1,113 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Va-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action" are widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, which effectively captures the vibrant and nostalgic cyberpunk aesthetic reminiscent of classic PC-98 games. Reviewers highlight the game's beautiful character designs, immersive environments, and a cohesive color palette that enhances the overall atmosphere, complemented by an exceptional soundtrack. The visuals not only serve as eye candy but also contribute significantly to the storytelling, making the game a must-play for fans of visual novels and retro aesthetics.
“When I first got it, I was drawn in by its gorgeous artwork and the promise of a good story.”
“The art style is absolutely stunning, and the characters are incredibly intriguing.”
“The graphics, soundtrack, and sound effects are pretty neat, as they really help to create immersion, which is definitely the mood that one could go for while playing this kind of genre.”
“The graphics are pretty, but that's it.”
“The graphics, especially the talksprites, are a delight to look at.”
“The visuals are not a noteworthy aspect of the game, yet I have got nothing to complain about here.”
- humor611 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Va-11 Hall-A" is widely praised for its cleverness and relatability, blending lighthearted jokes with deeper, often poignant moments. Players appreciate the memorable characters and witty dialogue that range from silly to thought-provoking, creating a unique atmosphere that balances comedy with serious themes. While some find the humor occasionally crude or dated, the overall consensus is that it effectively enhances the game's emotional depth and charm.
“It is a funny game, great story, banger worldbuilding, love the characters and it can go from silly to 'it touches the feelings'.”
“The cyberpunk aesthetics and humor are great and before I knew it I was actually caring about the characters' stories.”
“The dialogue is witty, humor included and the choices you make actually affect the story.”
“The dialogue is not thought-provoking, it is not funny, it is not even creative; it's bad.”
“However, as a woman playing this game, I find a lot of the jokes offensive and flat-out not funny.”
“It makes a lot of sexual references that are supposed to be funny, but in my opinion, they decidedly are not.”
- atmosphere524 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of *va-11 hall-a* is widely praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, effectively blending a cyberpunk aesthetic with a cozy bar setting. The game's soundtrack enhances this ambiance, creating a unique experience that draws players into its world filled with relatable characters and engaging dialogue. Reviewers highlight the combination of stunning pixel art, well-crafted music, and thoughtful storytelling as key elements that contribute to the game's exceptional atmosphere.
“The atmosphere is unmatched, the characters are so real and likable, the dialogue is insightful and funny, and yet the story is tragic and moving.”
“The music and gorgeous artwork in tandem with the characters create such a rich atmosphere that immerses you in the fantastical world of va-11 hall-a, yet also grounds you by filtering your interactions through Jill, who's just an ordinary person trying to scrape by.”
“The atmosphere is perfect, and overall gives a really comfy feel.”
“The game, in my opinion, just fails on what it sets out to do, and nothing from the thin worldbuilding to the atmosphere really makes up for that.”
“The whole 'cozy bar atmosphere' is totally ruined when you have to make sure you have enough for the bills and rent to avoid a bad ending.”
“However, these guests are too shallow to maintain the atmosphere the game attempts to create.”
- emotional392 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Va-11 Hall-A" is widely praised for its ability to evoke genuine feelings, ranging from laughter to tears, through its heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters. Players appreciate the balance of humor and poignant moments, often finding themselves deeply invested in the characters' lives and struggles, leading to impactful emotional experiences. The game's unique setting and engaging narrative create a cozy yet thought-provoking atmosphere, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
“Would recommend if you want to cry over emotions you never thought you'd have playing a game like this, because I certainly did.”
“Every character and their stories in this game feel just as real and possible as the stories I hear when I'm behind the counter myself, and that made me feel a way I never have before playing a visual novel, or any game for that matter.”
“The main story with our protagonist Jill is overall a pretty nicely-paced, emotionally investing, and really solid story that covers relationships, death and how people deal with it, and what it means to be human and learning how to express one's feelings.”
“Personally, I feel once you scrape away the sexually frustrated comments and the giggling over bra sizes and fetishes, you're left with a pretty empty and boring story.”
“It was honestly a relaxing experience, reading a simple, some may say slightly boring story where not much happens in all honesty, but a flashy, crazy story isn't really what this game is about.”
- replayability150 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game offers a moderate level of replayability, primarily due to its multiple endings and the impact of player choices on character interactions and dialogue. While some players find the replay value enhanced by the ability to explore different drink combinations and unlock hidden content, others note that the short playtime and linear story limit the overall replay potential. Overall, it appeals to completionists and those interested in uncovering all character backstories, but may not hold long-term replay interest for everyone.
“Choosing a drink as the dialogue options leaves lots of room for replayability, and you won't find a better bartender than Jill.”
“There's also a fun replayability factor if you want to get all the achievements.”
“The replayability is immense, and every character is memorable enough that you already know what their tastes are and what they really should drink in the time of most need when they are really down.”
“The only downside is that it has little to no replay value; I'm planning to do an achievement run to get 100% sometime, but since this game only tells one story (and that's a story well told), you won't get more than a week of on-and-off gameplay out of this (or a single weekend of powering through it).”
“Despite what feels like zero replayability, I'd still give this a solid review.”
“The main story arc cannot be changed, but there are extra ending cutscenes to unlock, so there is not much replay value past the second playthrough.”
- character development143 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and gradual progression, allowing players to form emotional connections with the characters through well-crafted backstories and relatable struggles. While some reviews note that certain character arcs may feel rushed, the overall consensus highlights the unique and memorable character designs that enhance the storytelling experience. The combination of engaging narratives, beautiful pixel art, and a captivating atmosphere contributes to a rich character-driven gameplay that resonates with players.
“The character development is gradual and meaningful as well, making the player care about the fates of these patrons.”
“All I really have to say is that this is easily one of the best visual novels I've played through in the past decade, the character development is superb and the storybuilding keeps you hooked.”
“Va-11 Hall-A managed to effectively strike that balance, giving you a relaxed game with engaging storylines and character development.”
“Some of the character development for the main story arc seems a bit fast.”
“The character development is often done through news articles or dialogues with others, which would be a fine and interesting way of doing things, if it wasn't literally something like 'hey, remember, just 5 minutes ago that character mentioned that thing!'”
“It was absolutely good for what it was, but it could have been about twice as long without adding any new characters or anything, just taking their existing character development and relationships a little bit further.”
- grinding57 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious, with many players expressing frustration over the repetitive nature of the dialogue and bartending mini-games. While some appreciate the character-driven story and engaging soundtrack, the lack of interactivity and slow-paced gameplay often leads to a feeling of monotony, making it challenging to stay invested over long play sessions. Overall, while the game has its merits, the grinding elements can detract from the overall experience for many players.
“The game plays a lot like a visual novel, and the 'drink mixing' part isn't particularly challenging but not tedious either.”
“The mini games aren't tedious or forced.”
“It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
“Constantly double clicking to get through dialogue to get one or two sentences at a time is extremely tedious, not to mention there's no option to change text speed, so if you're a fast reader you have to double click for it to just display the entire line.”
“The drink mixing mini-game that makes up the majority of the actual gameplay can get tedious after a while, but the characters are what drew me to keep clicking for over 15 hours.”
“The dialogue drags, the main bartending mechanic is tedious and the day-in, day-out repetition becomes frustrating quite early on.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game relies heavily on microtransactions for unlocking valuable items through crates, which some players find overtly commercialized. Additionally, the game features explicit in-game advertisements for other titles, contributing to a perception of it as a cash grab amidst a landscape dominated by major corporations. Despite these concerns, some players appreciate the game's overall atmosphere and enjoyment.
“The game offers crates that allow players to unlock valuable items through microtransactions, enhancing the overall experience.”
“I appreciate how the monetization system is implemented; it provides options for players to acquire valuable items without feeling forced.”
“The microtransaction model for unlocking crates is fair and adds an exciting layer to the gameplay.”
“The game's advertising and messaging is rather explicit about what this is.”
“It's an in-game advertisement for another game that is extremely blatant with its sponsorship.”
“This one is a spotlight in a dark room of forgettable cash grabs by major game companies.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with reports of poor PC performance and a lack of reviews for older consoles. While the game features engaging storytelling and character interactions that can influence gameplay, the financial management aspect adds a layer of complexity that can impact overall performance.
“Game has very memorable and well written characters that will have different dialogue depending on your performance in the game and sometimes it will be some funny dialogue.”
“And here's the kicker, folks: we have no old-gen console reviews; they don't exist as of this review. PC performance is apparently abysmal, and yet VA-11 HALL-A is considered Game of the Year. How so?”
“Not a huge deal, but you do have bills to pay and things to buy to optimize your performance, so losing some cash can hurt a bit.”
“The other point of interaction is just in how your character spends their money, which can affect our bartender's performance and shift towards a different ending.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is considered one of the least buggy titles in the cyberpunk genre on Steam, but users still report various issues, including audio glitches and freezing in fullscreen mode. While some players acknowledge that minor bugs exist, the frustration with certain aspects of stability, such as the need for troubleshooting and the presence of glitches, remains a concern.
“But unfortunately, it's buggy, and sometimes when the song changes, it starts at full volume for a split second, which is incredibly annoying.”
“It doesn't make sense for me to be troubleshooting a game that can't make their first tutorial completely idiot-proof to someone who's been playing video games for 27 years, when instead I could return it and move on to something else.”
“Just one problem: if I go into fullscreen, the screen freezes.”
Critic Reviews
VA-11 Hall-A Review
The kind of game that would surely earn the accolade of “cyberpunk bartending at its finest” if any other game had ever tried cyberpunk bartending. A character-rich visual novel that's as stylish as it is weirdly compelling.
80%VA-11 HALL-A review
What Valhalla is trying to do is interesting, but playing it is boring. The dialogue drags, the main bartending mechanic is tedious and the day-in, day-out repetition becomes frustrating quite early on.
60%VA-11 HALL-A
Mixing Drinks And Changing Lives
80%
