Critter Cafe Review – A Cozy Fantasy Cafe Sim

OVERVIEW

In Critter Cafe players will rescue and bond with adorable fantasy creatures, while managing their own cozy cafe.

Developer: Sumo Digital
Release Date: November 26th, 2024
Price: TBA
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC

Gameplay in Critter Cafe

Screenshot of characters from the Critter Cafe video game, being served coffee and cake.

Critter Cafe has a good selection of clothing, hairstyles, skin tones, and accessory options for players to customize their avatars. Once players create their characters, they can jump into the game. Critter Cafe has 10 to 12 hours of gameplay; however, the amount of time a player spends customizing their avatar, cafe, and critters can increase the overall gameplay time.

Speaking of customizing the cafe, players can experiment with different color combinations using the color swatches. As players complete work days, rescue critters, and book play dates with customers and critters, they will unlock additional furniture options. These additional options will help players turn their cafe into a reflection of their personalities.

Another way players can unlock new furniture and clothing options is by exploring the island. In various locations, there are blueprints that players can collect that unlock more items. These items range from arcade machines to new backpacks, etc.

Screenshot of the cafe customization mode in Critter Cafe. The cafe is a witchy theme with purple cloud wallpaper, and green and pink furniture.

Serving customers in Critter Cafe is fast-paced. Players familiar with various cafe tycoon sims may pick up completing orders a bit quicker than others. Players can serve coffee, lattes, and eventually baked goods to customers. The coffee-pouring mechanic is straightforward, while the latte art mechanic can be more challenging. The combination of these different mechanics keeps gameplay fresh, as players never know what a customer will request until they speak with them.

Screenshot of the Critter care mode in Critter Cafe. There is a small hamster-like critter with circles showing different color variants.

Rescuing critters is another fun mechanic in Critter Cafe, players will open rifts that appear around the island and travel to an otherworldly realm to find new companions. Once in this world, Critter Cafe players will need to solve various environmental puzzles to reach the lost critters. Once found the critters will go to a rehabilitation habitat, which can also be customized with items, where players can care for them. When a critter is well enough, they can come to the cafe to help with a day’s service.

Accessible & Cute

Screenshot of Critter Cafes color blind mode option in the settings menu.

Critter Cafe has a color-blind mode that can be toggled between Deuteranope, Protanope, or Tritanope modes to adjust the game’s graphics for color-blind players. Players can further adjust the strength of each on a scale of 1 to 10.

Despite the cafe elements of the game being on the fast-paced side, it’s possible to play Critter Cafe while multitasking. Once players complete the tutorial, they will be able to select one to two activities to make up their in-game day. These can be alternated to fit each player’s playstyle and helps avoid unnecessary grinding.

Screenshot of a character in Critter Cafe solving a maze puzzle. The maze is in a fantasy world with glowing muchrooms and overgrown ruins.

The art style in Critter Cafe is cozy and fun. The various unlockable furniture options give players the freedom to create almost any type of cozy space from witchy to preppy. The various critters players can find are adorable.

Final Thoughts on Critter Cafe

Overall Critter Cafe is a cozy and cute gaming experience. Having the option to choose one to two tasks a day, makes gameplay relaxing and easy to manage. While the accessibility options help make Critter Cafe welcoming to more players. If you enjoy games like Palia and Cat Cafe Manager, you should try Critter Cafe.