N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action

N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is the second installment in the video game series in which players assume the role of a barmaid to get to know the history of the customers visiting the place, and serve drinks matching their moods. The game is set in a cyberpunk world and was developed by AGM Playism in cooperation with YSBRYD GAMES - studios also known for working on La Mulana, Touhou Luna Lights and She Remembered Caterpillars.

Plot

N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action takes players to the futuristic Caribbean city of Saint Alicia. However, despite being a great attraction, Saint Alice is also a dystopian city struggling with economic boom and rapid technological development, resulting in an increase in human trafficking, mafia scams, and other large-scale criminal operations.

In this world, players assume the role of the barmaid Sam working in the titular bar. Every day, the woman serves clients visiting the bar listening to their confessions and providing help. However, she herself is struggling with family problems related to the upbringing of her son and the way of life of Leon, her partner. Leon is a crossroads mafia fan, getting involved in more and more dangerous business but at the same time he is unable to decide which family is more important to him.

Mechanics

N1RV Ann-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a visual novel game designed to explore the protagonist's story as well as the stories of other characters: family members, customers, and bar staff. The game itself is about reading dialogues of characters that Sam meets on her way.

However, the game does not offer only passive participation in the game, because it is up to the player to decide how the fate of individual charaters will turn out, and all this thanks to the different kinds of drinks that can change their lives. Playing the role of a barmaid gives players the power to create different types of drinks from the ingredients available in the game and to give them to the customers to answer their needs. In contrast to the previous part, players do not have any synthetic alcohols at their disposal, only those commonly known - including whisky, rum, and vodka.

Technical aspects

Visually, the game is a combination of pixel art with a style known from older Japanese productions, well suited to the atmospheric soundtrack.

Last updated on 28 December 2023