A cozy "coffee and conversation"
You know what they say about coffee: the best part of waking up... That rich, aromatic, piping-hot essence of caffeine in a cup, cradled in your hands, sending waves of warmth through your senses. Suddenly, your grogginess and irritability vanish after a few sips, and you feel ready to take on the day—is that even a smile on your face?!
Playing
Zipp's Café captures that same refreshing feeling, more or less. No special or secret ingredients here, just a reminder that the warmth of a well-crafted experience can be as inviting as the embrace of your morning cup.
Picture this: Zipp, the former mob raccoon turned café connoisseur, now struts his stuff by brewing and serving at his very own joint. In this café, you're not just slinging coffee but also dishing out faux feasts! Yeah, you heard right—fake meat galore. Because munching on your animal pals is a strict no-no in the World of Wilderness. For the uninitiated, this cute-critter café sim / visual novel acts as the standalone, bite-sized bridge between the first
Chicken Police and the forthcoming sequel. World of Wilderness is the writers' attempt to create more media around the setting that started with the first game.
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Like most, Zipp has a past he can't seem to shake. In this three-hour coffee-shop noir, he finds himself amid some spill-over and becomes entangled in the lives of his patrons. His establishment attracts a diverse clientele, ranging from PIs to gangsters and the residents of the bug ghetto. The overarching theme revolves around beginning anew or, at the very least, questioning established norms. Although the dialogues tend to be dry, they frequently reveal meaningful snippets that gradually peel back the layers of the broader world beyond the confines of the café.
But here's the bummer: the story keeps poking you, urging you to take action, and just when you start contemplating how to respond, it makes the decision for you. There are glimpses of interactive elements, but it craves that extra spice, that player-driven sizzle. A bit frustrating, a smidge demoralizing, yet a nod to the story's strength: the characters. Characters so convincing, they could very well be based on real people. They made decisions, had motivations, faced the consequences, and are now throwing deep questions at you, making you wonder if they moonlight in our reality.
Adding splashes of excitement to the storytelling are three mini-games: brewing beverages, whipping up meals, and tackling the dish pile. They're delightfully straightforward, if a tad repetitive—no ticking clock, no story jams if you slip up. Once you get the hang of juggling the stove and espresso machine, brief detours to the kitchen become surprisingly satisfying. And, hold your latte, the weirdest puzzle you'll face is figuring out why on earth someone would ask for a drink with coffee, caramel, meat powder, and orange juice. Starbucks, consider this your eccentric flavor inspiration!
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Savoring the sips and bites you've put together, let the artsy and jazzy vibes wrap around you. With gorgeous hand-drawn art and the laid-back backdrop of Saxy McSmooth, an effortless charm permeates the old-worldly atmosphere. Crafted with nostalgic strokes and moody lighting, both characters and the environment come alive. If the whole noir thing gets too intense, hit the switch on top of the screen—it goes all monochrome, though I still think it looks better in color. Behind the counter, big, clear windows frame a scenic view of the distant city skyline, offering a quantum of solace in Zipp’s three-seated café from a world eclipsed by the shadows of racism and crime.
Coffee never goes out of fashion
Snazzy but sadly short, sans stress from slip-ups, it successfully whets the palette for the upcoming sequel to
Chicken Police. Priced at a mere coffee's worth, it's a delicious delight without breaking the bank.
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