Kick Off Happy Hour in a Dystopian World
Booze ’em up doesn’t sound like a real genre, but we promise that it is–at least, it is if VA-11 HALL-A has anything to say about it. This indie bartending simulator from Ysbryd Games and Sukeban Games has already seen a release for the Nintendo Switch and PS4, so we’re not overly shocked to see it making its way to Xbox Game Pass today. That doesn’t mean we’re not excited about it, though. If you’ve never tried this little cyberpunk visual novel excursion, now is the time to give it a try. VA-11 HALL-A is a story about a thousand little tragedies playing out in the shadow of disaster. The drinks you mix could change lives.
Enter the flickering neon streets of Glitch City, where the people in charge are corrupt and millions struggle to make a living beneath a despotic regime. The government keeps the oppressed in line with nanomachines, food shortages are everywhere, and things seem to be getting worse each day. On nights like this, all the city’s have-nots want to do is drown their sorrows in a cheap, chemical-ridden future cocktail. You are Jill, the bartender at VA-11 HALL-A, and you’ll be their server today. Listen to their stories, build relationships with them, and explore a rich, branching narrative.
Between the luxurious electronic soundtrack, gorgeous pixel art, and grim narrative, VA-11 HALL-A is an excellent way to scratch that cyberpunk itch in the days before Cyberpunk 2077 is released. Also, it’s just a great game in its own right. In a world where the powerful don’t care about anyone’s troubles, it’s up to you to do what you can while still getting enough tips to pay the rent.
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is now available on Xbox Game Pass, joining previous Nintendo Switch, PS4, PlayStation Vita, and Steam for PC, Mac OS X, and Linux releases. VA-11 HALL-A supports English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese text localization on all platforms.
What would your job be like in a cyberpunk dystopia? Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.