VI. Do you tip well?
I’ve always loved the style of titles like Snatcher and Policenauts. While I can’t profess to have played much of either of them (though I‘ve’ played a wee bit of the former, I’ve actually played zero of the latter).
I’ve always wanted more games to capture the feeling I get when I see those games, even if it’s not quite the same art style. And one game does that. It also lets me mix drinks. VA11 HALL-A is that game.
This time ten years ago I worked for a McDonald’s-owned Ben & Jerry’s franchise. This was during the recession and business was slow. I got pretty damn good at making milkshakes and smoothies and developed a passion for crafting beverages from a variety of ingredients (eventually this reached its conclusion in a mixed drink called Cian’s Cocoa which is a very, very alcoholic spiked hot chocolate).
I’ve always wanted to make a game that recreates that feeling and one day still intend to. But for now? There’s VA11 HALL-A, and even pushing past the beautiful aesthetics, the sheer act of picking ingredients, experimenting with maybe a little extra alcohol, and timing the mixing of the drink feels incredibly damn good.
The ability to make larger versions of the drinks by doubling ingredients or making them on the rock makes the process of mixing feel a bit more personal. And then when it comes time to actually mix? Timing becomes key — and I get a nice memory of hitting that stop button on the blender.
Wrap that up in this gorgeous cyberpunk bartender action aesthetic, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Making a high-quality mixed drink? Feels good.
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