VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action Review (xxadonisxx)
In a gaming world often obsessed with bombastic action and high-stakes drama, VA-11 Hall-A (or "Valhalla") does something rare—it slows everything down. Developed by Sukeban Games, this cyberpunk visual novel and bartending simulator invites players into a smoky, neon-lit corner of a dystopian world, where the real action lies not in explosions, but in conversation. It’s a small game with a big heart, and it might just surprise you with how deeply it resonates.
You play as Jill, a jaded but empathetic bartender at the titular VA-11 Hall-A, tucked away in the shadow of Glitch City—a futuristic, corporate-controlled metropolis. The game isn’t about overthrowing regimes or hacking into mainframes. Instead, it’s about listening to your patrons, mixing their drinks, and slowly peeling back the layers of a world that feels disturbingly close to our own.
It’s this grounded approach to cyberpunk that makes VA-11 Hall-A so refreshing. You don’t save the world—you serve it. And in doing so, you witness the pain, humor, longing, and resilience of its people.
Gameplay is deceptively simple: customers come in, talk to you, and order drinks. You prepare these drinks by combining ingredients like Adelhyde and Flanergide, with optional tweaks like doubling the alcohol or serving it on the rocks. The twist? The drinks you serve can affect the dialogue and even the story itself.
This mechanic gives the player subtle control over the narrative. Do you give someone what they asked for—or what you think they need? The decisions aren’t world-shattering, but they are personal, and that intimacy is where the game shines.
The real core of VA-11 Hall-A is its writing, which is sharp, witty, and deeply character-driven. Every customer—from sex worker Dorothy to corporate hacker Alma, to the mysterious android Sei—feels fully realized, with unique personalities and layered backstories. Conversations are peppered with humor, vulnerability, and philosophical musings about technology, identity, loneliness, and survival.
Jill herself is a compelling protagonist—sarcastic, emotionally guarded, and painfully human. As the story unfolds, so does her own emotional arc, culminating in a narrative that’s surprisingly moving for a game about making drinks.
The game’s pixel art style is striking and effective, channeling an old-school PC aesthetic with modern flair. Neon colors and CRT-screen filters sell the cyberpunk vibe without going overboard. The character portraits are expressive and full of personality, which helps breathe life into the static visual format.
And then there’s the soundtrack—a lo-fi synthwave masterpiece by Garoad. The game lets you choose the background music from a jukebox at the start of each shift, and these chill, melancholic tracks do a lot of emotional heavy lifting. It’s one of those rare soundtracks you’ll want to listen to outside the game.
If you’re looking for action or high-stakes tension, VA-11 Hall-A isn’t your game. It’s slow, reflective, and driven by dialogue. But if you enjoy visual novels, narrative-rich indies, or cyberpunk stories that focus on the people living under the neon lights rather than the rebels trying to tear it all down—this is absolutely worth your time.
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a game about empathy in a world that’s lost its soul. Its masterful writing, memorable characters, and immersive atmosphere make it one of the most unique and emotionally resonant games in the indie scene. It doesn't shout; it whispers. And if you're willing to listen, you might hear something profoundly human.
Drink responsibly—and listen closely.
Rating: 9/10