It is probably strange that I’ve never played the first Coffee Talk game, whilst reviewing the second one. However, I have heard wonderful things about it, and it was one of those games that just never quite made it to my to-play list. Having spent time with Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, I entirely understand the hype and excitement for this cozy coffee shop narrative game.

In Coffee Talk Episode 2, you run the titular coffee shop, interacting with customers (both new and returning) as a narrative unfolds day after day. Your main gameplay loop consists of answering various characters’ orders and listening to their woes. However, there are a few twists to the formula. The different combinations and drinks you can make are sometimes deceptive. A slight change in formula can make a drastically different drink.

Also, if you’re a moron like I am, you can confuse things like Green Tea and Tea, causing you to make an incorrect drink. However, Coffee Talk Episode 2 doesn’t entirely penalize you for getting drinks wrong. A version of the narrative will still unfold, though if you make too many mistakes you might not get the best endings for various characters.

Characters will also give you items or you may find items over the course of the story. By giving these items to characters at specific points in the story, you can change their stories or even steer them in a better direction. A majority of these are obvious, but some are deceptive or more subtle. There is a lot of room for experimentation in Coffee Talk Episode 2 and a variety of branching paths you can go down.

You’ll get more out of the Coffee Talk Episode 2 experience if you have played and completed the original. There are returning characters, and references to characters and storylines from the first game, and quite possibly new beginnings for spinoffs and other extensions to the franchise. Personally, the storytelling captivated me to such a degree that I fell in love with a lot of the characters.

From Hyde, the vampire fashion model, to Riona, a banshee and aspiring opera singer, the storytelling is done in such a way that you feel like you see a small piece of these characters’ lives. Yet as the Barista, all you see is a glimpse, and once they leave the café, they live a wide, expansive life of joy, loss, and other boundless emotions. It is a masterful, skillful, beautiful story, as well as a beautiful cast of characters.

To supplement all of this, through your smartphone, you can read a new short story that becomes available each in-game day. You can also read social media posts from various characters too, giving you a glimpse into their digital life even when they aren’t in the café. Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is rich with detail, and that makes it all the sweeter.

I really don’t have any complaints here. If you’re looking for a nice, steaming cup of humor, emotional storytelling, and fun character interaction then Coffee Talk Episode 2 is perfect for you. If you loved the first game, this is just a second helping with some added twists, turns, and ingredients. If you’re new to the series like I was, I’d greatly recommend checking it out.

A Nintendo Switch review copy of Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly was provided by Toge Productions for this review.

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Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly

$14.99

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Great Characters
• Fun Barista Elements
• Engaging Story
• Multiple Endings
• Simple Yet Satisfying Gameplay