77
MONSTER
Dust off your coffee machine and prepare your warmest smile to meet your customers again in the second episode of the much loved coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator; Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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83
Praised for its emotional depth, nuanced characters, and heartfelt storytelling, Hibiscus & Butterfly shines with interconnected narratives exploring identity and connection, but struggles with uneven pacing, underdeveloped arcs, and a diluted focus compared to its predecessor.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
83
Positive Reviews (80-100)
83%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
17%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Praised for its emotional depth, nuanced characters, and heartfelt storytelling, Hibiscus & Butterfly shines with interconnected narratives exploring identity and connection, but struggles with uneven pacing, underdeveloped arcs, and a diluted focus compared to its predecessor.
Gameplay Mechanics
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73
Coffee Talk Episode 2 blends charming narrative-driven storytelling with creative drink-making, offering relaxed charm and clever new mechanics like latte art and social features—yet its minimalist design and repetitive core loop leave some craving deeper engagement or meaningful choice.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
22%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
75%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
3%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Coffee Talk Episode 2 blends charming narrative-driven storytelling with creative drink-making, offering relaxed charm and clever new mechanics like latte art and social features—yet its minimalist design and repetitive core loop leave some craving deeper engagement or meaningful choice.
Graphics and Visual Design
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82
Critics rave about Coffee Talk Episode 2’s cozy, nostalgic pixel art, calling it a "visually appealing" gem that crafts an immersive, anime-inspired Seattle, though minor hiccups like inconsistent sprites and repetitive vibes slightly dampen the charm.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
82
Positive Reviews (80-100)
59%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
41%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Critics rave about Coffee Talk Episode 2’s cozy, nostalgic pixel art, calling it a "visually appealing" gem that crafts an immersive, anime-inspired Seattle, though minor hiccups like inconsistent sprites and repetitive vibes slightly dampen the charm.
Music and Sound Design
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83
A soothing lo-fi soundtrack defines Coffee Talk Episode 2, crafting a tranquil, immersive coffee shop vibe that enhances storytelling and emotional depth—universally praised for its warmth and ambiance, though some note minor repetition and lack of standout tracks, with replayable features like in-game music customization elevating its charm.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
83
Positive Reviews (80-100)
70%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
30%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
A soothing lo-fi soundtrack defines Coffee Talk Episode 2, crafting a tranquil, immersive coffee shop vibe that enhances storytelling and emotional depth—universally praised for its warmth and ambiance, though some note minor repetition and lack of standout tracks, with replayable features like in-game music customization elevating its charm.
Voice Acting
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62
Critics split over Coffee Talk 2's voice acting: while one outlet praised its cozy warmth on Switch, most lambaste the text-only approach across other platforms, calling it a missed chance to deepen emotional storytelling.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
62
Positive Reviews (80-100)
0%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
83%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
17%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Critics split over Coffee Talk 2's voice acting: while one outlet praised its cozy warmth on Switch, most lambaste the text-only approach across other platforms, calling it a missed chance to deepen emotional storytelling.
Technical Performance
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84
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly nails technical performance across all platforms—smooth, stable, and polished—with only minor PC hiccups (resolution bugs, fixable glitches) overshadowed by stellar optimization on Switch, Xbox, and Steam Deck. A reliably smooth experience overall.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
84
Positive Reviews (80-100)
71%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
29%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly nails technical performance across all platforms—smooth, stable, and polished—with only minor PC hiccups (resolution bugs, fixable glitches) overshadowed by stellar optimization on Switch, Xbox, and Steam Deck. A reliably smooth experience overall.
Replay Value
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73
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly delivers robust replayability through branching narratives, multiple endings, and modes like Endless Mode and Brewpad, but repetitive dialogue, a short runtime, and minimal new features risk alienating fans seeking depth. While its charm and choice-driven storytelling justify repeated playthroughs for some, others find it rushed and underwhelming compared to the first game.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
32%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
68%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly delivers robust replayability through branching narratives, multiple endings, and modes like Endless Mode and Brewpad, but repetitive dialogue, a short runtime, and minimal new features risk alienating fans seeking depth. While its charm and choice-driven storytelling justify repeated playthroughs for some, others find it rushed and underwhelming compared to the first game.
Overall Verdict
77
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
70%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
30%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Coffee Talk Episode 2 delivers a warm, emotionally resonant experience with nostalgic charm and intimate storytelling, praised for its relatable characters and soothing atmosphere, but faces criticism for relying on familiar mechanics and lacking the innovation or emotional depth of its predecessor.
77
MONSTER
Reviews
67 reviews found100
Hey Poor Player
Apr 25, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a perfect game with a unique flavor.
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100
Player 2
Apr 19, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly is a special and memorable game that builds upon the appeal of its predecessor. It offers a unique experience with a range of themes and foreign yet familiar characters. The game's connection to the previous title's writer adds a bittersweet touch. The reviewer highly recommends the game.
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91
RPG Fan
Apr 19, 2023
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Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly builds beautifully upon the first game, offering an excellent slice-of-life narrative with fun interactive moments and a surprising amount of replayability. It is a refill worth savoring.
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90
GamingTrend
Apr 19, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a wonderful follow-up to the original, retaining its charm while expanding on the story and characters. It offers a chill and touching experience with plenty of content to explore.
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90
Digitally Downloaded
Apr 28, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is warm, grounded in realism despite its fantasy world, with an amazing soundtrack and great drinks to learn about. The characters have unique personalities and the game is a wonderful, feel-good visual novel.
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90
TouchArcade
Apr 24, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Coffee Talk Episode 2 is a solid sequel that builds on the original, making it an easy recommendation for fans of relaxing games and character-driven narratives.
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90
Noisy Pixel
Apr 19, 2023
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Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a delightful game that builds on the first entry. The amount of content is worth the price and the game is a brew to savor.
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90
Pure Nintendo
May 25, 2023
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Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a refreshing visual novel with relatable characters and intertwining stories. Great for fans of the genre.
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85
NintendoWorldReport
Apr 19, 2023
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The review concludes that Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a chill and peaceful experience that adds enough new mechanics to freshen up the gameplay. It also expresses a desire to play more episodes in the future.
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85
GameCritics
Jul 20, 2023
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The game delivers new stories, characters, and gameplay mechanics that blend well together, resulting in an enjoyable experience.
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