Settle into the island lifestyle of a bartender
N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a cool simulation video game wherein you can learn about the lives of various characters by serving up drinks. Developed by Sukeban Games, this stylistic 2D indie visual novel is a bartender simulator that has pseudo-cyberpunk aesthetics and solid drink-mixing gameplay.
As the sequel to VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action, N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action brings back the critically-acclaimed gameplay and concept that introduced a wildly-different spin to classic hero stories and RPGs. This time, there are more characters involved and a whole new setting can be visited—opening up more selections for your beverage mixes.
The story continues on
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action—pronounced as “Valhalla”—is a 2016 indie bartender simulation game and visual novel that follows the story of a local bartender’s quiet life in a dystopian downtown. The gameplay features no dialogue options whatsoever and instead lets you mix and serve drinks to elicit reactions from your NPC patrons. Thus, you have to pay close attention to their likes and dislikes to influence their story.
This gameplay mechanic returns in N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action, or“Nirvana.” However, instead of a bartender, you follow the perspective of the mismatched couple, Sam and Leon. Sam’s the bartender at a glitzy island’s iconic bar, while Leon is a gangster conflicted about where his loyalties lie. The two meet various kinds of characters in their false paradise of an island and must navigate its murky waters full of intrigue.
Unlike the first game, however, the bartending aspect is much simpler—although also a bit too easy and straightforward. Your ingredients are no longer synthetic alcohol substitutes that you need to figure out. You can now choose from a selection of real-life drinks and even customize them a bit. However, this also means that there’s no real challenge in serving your creation to the NPCs you want to impress.
Impart your wisdom to your patrons
All in all, N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a nice sequel to try out if you loved VA-11 HALL-A and would like to see more of its universe and lore. While the gameplay mechanics don’t fully come back in their original form, the new faces and storyline are still as intriguing as ever. If you like these types of games, you can also try out Coffee Talk.