Tavern Talk is a visual novel developed by Gentle Troll Entertainment, and released on June 20, 2024 for Nintendo Switch and Steam.[1] Players take control of a fantasy innkeeper who serves drinks and interacts with adventurers in a magical Medieval setting.
| Tavern Talk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Gentle Troll Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Gentle Troll Entertainment |
| Engine | |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch Windows |
| Release | June 20, 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Visual Novel |
| Mode(s) | single-player |
Plot
editThe game follows the owner of Wayfarer's Inn, a tavern in the fantasy land of Asteria. The player must serve drinks and interact with different adventurers who visit the tavern, including elves and vampires. As they talk to the various adventurers, they uncover more lore about an ancient threat which is rising in Asteria.
Development
editThe game was developed by indie game developers Gentle Troll Entertainment. It was inspired by tabletop roleplaying games such as Dungeons & Dragons[2] and visual novels like VA-11 Hall-A and Coffee Talk.[3] A free demo for the game was released on Steam on June 10. The full game was released on June 20, 2024.[2][4]
It was funded through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter, receiving more than twice its €20,000 fundraising goal within a day.[5]
Gameplay
editPlayers must mix a variety of different drinks and potions for customers. Each recipe has different effects on the characters' stats, which can influence their story. Players can also post quests for adventurers to go on. When patrons return from adventures, they can bring back items for the tavernkeeper to decorate the inn with.[5][6]
Reception
editTavern Talk received "generally positive" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[7]
Ben Sledge of The Gamer gave the first episode a positive review, writing that: "Tavern Talk doesn't just inhabit the cozy genre, it embodies it. Everything about this game exudes warmth, whether it's talking through your Elfin friend's anxieties about becoming an adventurer or the portents of the apocalypse."[8] Katherine Castle of Eurogamer compared the game favorably to Coffee Talk and the Legends & Lattes novels of Travis Baldree.[9] Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp of Destructoid found the gameplay to be satisfying yet shallow, but called the writing and dialogue options "incredible".[6]
References
edit- ^ "Tavern Talk". IGN.
- ^ a b "Tavern Talk announced with free demo for Steam Next Fest". Bleeding Cool. 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Switch Arcade Reviews". Touch Arcade. 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Tavern Talk official release date and announcement trailer". IGN. 29 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Tavern Talk, D&D inspired visual novel coming to Switch". Nintendo Everything. 9 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Tavern Talk". Destructoid.
- ^ "Tavern Talk". Metacritic.
- ^ "Tavern Talk Is The Fantasy Innkeeper Sim Of Your Dreams". The Gamer. 21 October 2023.
- ^ "Tavern Talk is a tasty blend". Eurogamer. 3 June 2024.