I made so many Swift Strikes .
Like you ’d require from a visual novel , Tavern Talk is a bit text - grueling . Some reviewers on Steam have sound off that the game is too " windy , " but I ’d argue against cutting any of the dialogue lines or shortening them - it would take far too much aside from the novel prospect of the game . If you ’re look for a review from a fellow cozy secret plan player , you ’re in the correct place .
Story
The story of Tavern Talk is spread throughout the game , and the backstories of each patron only come to light as they continue to visit your tavern . At first , you may find certain eccentric plaguey , nervy , or just plain uncanny , but there is not a individual character in Tavern Talk that I did n’t enjoy seeing in front of my bar by the end of the biz .
Despite being a nameless , faceless NPC in the plot , you relate with every character through your questioning and power to make a darn good drunkenness which may imbue the consumer with some handy fan . They tell you their report , you aim them towards escapade , and they postulate for something to help them . It ’s very much a " Do n’t go alone , take this- " form of state of affairs . The Innkeeper clearly has some trauma to dissolve , which total to light in due time , but the game does well to keep you on tenterhook , drip - give you little details as you build your rapport with the colorful plaster bandage of characters .
The storytelling really does make you feel like you ’re the " save point " of a D&D campaign . The friendly Innkeeper waiting for your Friend to return and tell you all about their success … Or their failures .
scotch : 5/5
Visual Design
Tavern talk of the town is gorgeous . The detail on each quality is wonderful , peculiarly because voice of their costume or design variety after certain quest have been completed . Every pattern is unequaled , even if the characters are a petty stereotyped for a D&D game .
One of the chief issues I have with the design is the drink crafting . After a while , it gets incredibly wearisome to be remaking the same few drinks for every request . I would have also revel discover the potion colors actually mixed together for the swallow and having the finished drink show that miscellany . As it is , the coloring of the potions are completely irrelevant . The finished swallow ignores the color that were added together and show no star sign of any infusion that may have been tally .
The tavern itself barely ever changes . you could get natural endowment from your patron - such as Fable ’s configuration embroidery gift - and the window reflects the time of sidereal day and late events , but that ’s about it . The only proceed share are your chick companion . The characters do n’t move much either - as expected of a ocular novel - but visual novel backgrounds ordinarily change much more than this . I would have liked to see more moving parts and more sprightliness in the tavern . If the game is adhere in one emplacement , that location should n’t be so static .
Screenshot by Pro Game Guides
I will rap off a point for the static visuals of the game and another for repetitive drinks and drink design . Yes , the frequenter ' face move , and their hand will change position , but there is n’t much going on in term of interaction with the world . I would have sleep together to see more of the exterior of the tap house , which you only memorize about from your patrons coming in for a drink and telling you what ’s happen out there . It made me feel like I was pin down in one flyspeck corner of a huge existence .
Score : 3/5
Controls and Accessibility
Click , click , click . With the exclusion of drink - making and quest - fashioning , this plot could be a contender for thebest clicker games of 2024 . I understand that ocular novels do n’t , by designing , include many controls , but it ’s still a factor here .
However , using few mastery makes the game significantly more accessible and easier to hear how to play . There is a LOT of dialog , though , so I highlight commend putting the game on machine - read and changing the reading f number in your options to beseem your preference .
Score : 4.5/5
Screenshot by Pro Game Guides
Gameplay
This game is the perfect form of game to play back . It ’s impossible to get every accomplishment in your first playthrough because the drinks you do in response to quests alter the outcome of each pursuit . Server someone a drink that boost their charisma , and they might succeed in talking down a beast that ’s terrorize a nearby town . On the other helping hand , a drink that promote their durability may result in a part getting injured or go bad to address the etymon cause of the job .
regrettably , one of the late drink postulation in the game is bugged and you ca n’t create one of the two petition - these are the drinks for the Dead Parade seeking , where it ’s likely that the best outcome get along from the Charisma and Defense drink , but there is no drink and infusion combining that works for the request .
Considering that is an Act III seeking that is closemouthed to the game ’s ending , it ’s rather significant that musician be able to get at both outcomes .
Screenshot by Pro Game Guides
Something that strike me right away was the representation in Tavern Talk . Fable , who you forgather first , uses they / them pronouns . They are n’t the only example of LGBTQIA+ delegacy in the game , either ! A image of pronouns are used , some of the patrons flirt with each other , and there ’s even an adorable case of happen family that really endeared the game to me .
There are plenty of worked up moments ; some funny , some romantic , and some that will make you want to stab fancied characters . For a visual novel to take you on such a rollercoaster of emotions , and have some compelling gameplay mechanics thrown in that have you hoping you meld a character the right boozing insure that Tavern Talk stands out from the crowded saloon of drink - ground visual novel titles out there right now .
Score : 4/5
Screenshot by Pro Game Guides
Verdict
It seems like a circle of the hype for Tavern Talk came from the Coffee Talk serial , which is a beloved lot of visual novel game . Tavern talking definitely shares some trait , but the game are very dissimilar - their options , grapheme , the art style … That say , if you relish Coffee Talk , you may very well enjoy Tavern Talk ! They are n’t made by the same developer , but the gameplay is still that same level of informal escapism that just hits right after a farseeing day at body of work or a otiose Sunday .
On its own meritoriousness , Tavern Talk is a unique game that give D&D fan the probability to become the NPC , rather than the adventurer . Your tap house is the blank space the explorer bulge from and pass to , you turn over out quests after conglomerate rumours from their conversation , and you ’re always undetermined for those who need a drinkable .
I would have like to see more representative in the game and less static visuals . Visual novel are place by a novel becoming visually interactive . you’re able to still scan the story , but you are also hypothesise to be able tofollowthe story . I understand why the devs decided to keep players in the tap house , but even being able-bodied to go outside the tap house to scrutinize the legal injury at different stages of the story would have made me sense like I was actually part of the world , and not just a part of it there to push the story on .
More drink selection would also have been nice , but I ’m more annoyed by the deficiency of cohesiveness between the potions ' colour and the crapulence ’s consequence . If a drink is ring " Sparkling Nebula , " why is n’t there something we can add together that cause it scintillating ? Or why do n’t the attribute potions create a purple color to think over the ruined drink ? see some color hypothesis would have made this part of the biz much better .
Want to play Tavern lecture for yourself ? Check out our Pro Game GuidesTavern Talk Walkthrough ( best outcomes)or read about the10 Best cozy games coming to PC in 2024 .
