5 Best Games Like Pixel Cafe

There’s something awfully satisfying about Pixel Cafe, and I’m not entirely sure if it’s the deep lo-fi aesthetics or the digestible narrative and cappuccino vibes that make it so. Fact is, though, there are plenty of reasons to fall head over heels in love with these sorts of ventures — especially if you’re growing somewhat weary of skulking around in full-fat RPGs on a regular basis. Question is, is Baltoro Games’ Pixel Cafe the only world in which you can quench your thirst for the aforementioned qualities, or are there other ways to get your midnight fix?

If you are on the lookout for something that’ll tick all the right boxes, as well as something that’ll probably usher you into an evening class in cappuccino art, then be sure to read on. Here are the five best games like Pixel Cafe.

5. Coffee Talk

Let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room here: Pixel Cafe — it’s basically Coffee Talk. Or at least, it looks, feels, and almost tastes like Coffee Talk, anyway. From its pixel-centric art style to the fact that its protagonist is a fledgling barista who, like our fellow in Coffee Talk, has a knack for serving fancy cups of coffee on a midnight platter for guests of all shapes and forms. It’s also a visual novel, too, which means the bulk of the gameplay revolves around conversing with others, and making important decisions that essentially usher the narrative towards its next thematic crossroad.

Coffee Talk centers its world around—you guessed it—a coffee shop. As one of the last-standing baristas in a bustling metropolis that’s bursting at the seams with mythical beings and late-night tall tales, you must connect with your regulars, and, with the right ingredients at your disposal, brew innovative recipes that’ll get them talking about their deepest desires and lifelong secrets. It’s certainly one of the coziest indies you’ll play this year, and also as close as you’ll come to rekindling the coffee fumes ejecting out of the nearby pipes of Pixel Cafe, too.

4. Unpacking

There’s brewing cups of coffee throughout the twilight hours, and then there’s unboxing sentimental artifacts over a series of episodic stories. Wherever your preference lies, there’s a good chance that, if you happened to find comfort in the hands of a barista, then you’ll likely find a home away from home in Unpacking—a simple, yet elegant independent game in which your only task, really, is to unleash your inner creative and craft homes with character and a story to tell.

The idea behind Unpacking is as simple as they come: unbox items, and find their permanent homes in a series of rooms, apartments, and houses. From your childhood bedroom to your college dorm, your office to your first family haven, each location will present you with a vacant space to transform into your own slice of heaven. Again, it isn’t the most demanding game you’ll ever play, nor is it exactly filled to the core with drawn-out cutscenes and thought-provoking puzzle segments, either. For what it’s worth, though, it’s definitely something you’ll want to consider pouring a couple of hours into, especially if you’re hell-bent on formulating Feng Shui in a virtual environment.

3. Dynopunk

Dynopunk is a visual novel that takes place in a cyberpunk-infused environment—a location in which dinosaurs have taken over, and you, an auto shop owner, must work to find your place on the social ladder. As the avid techie, you will need to repair various gadgets and gizmos, as well as build lifelong friendships with your customers, either by talking with them and unlocking their secrets, or by serving them dino-themed beverages. Yes — dinosaur drinks.

It goes like this: the meteor that wiped the dinosaurs off the face of the planet never actually happened, which led to the species taking over the world. A few million years later, one of said dinosaurs—a T-Rex named Chris, opened up a repair shop, all in the hopes of building a Time Machine to return to the past and find true love. This is where you pick up the reins — in a futuristic metropolis, and at the epicenter of a new “ironic” era. There are plenty of heartwarming moments to unravel, blueprints to toy around with, and most of all, rich 1990s aesthetics that pay homage to the world of pixel art.

2. Katy and Bob: Safari Cafe

Katy and Bob: Safari Cafe is a cooking and management simulation game in which you establish and develop your own culinary enterprise. With over sixty levels to sift through, the game brings a tapestry of colorful elements, characters, and of course, experimental dishes to the table — all of which come bundled in a simple, yet easily accessible gameplay package that’s easy for anyone to pick up and play.

In addition to the cooking, there’s also the case of having to manage a team, upgrade your facilities, and establish a prosperous business from the grassy roots up. Granted, it isn’t the most complex culinary field to find a foothold in, but if you’re after something to tide you over between all those fleshy RPGs, then it’s certainly worth tucking into.

1. VA-11 Hall-A

If you’re looking for something that’s a little more rugged than Coffee Talk or Pixel Cafe, but something that also has all the same basic ingredients that make both games the social-centric powerhouses that they are, then look no further than VA-11 Hall-A. Like Coffee Talk, the game focuses on a cyberpunk world—a place in which backstories are shared with only the most socially conscious characters in town: the bartenders.

Again, like Pixel Cafe, the goal is to meet the regulars, and create strong concoctions that’ll keep them talking and sharing their views on the world and its many, many underlying issues. There’s plenty of dialogue, and again, copious amounts of unique recipes to get creative with over a relatively short but surprisingly insightful journey. So, if you don’t mind swapping out the coffee beans for a few beers, then be sure to give this one a shot.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up any of the above five games? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.