Affogato

An intriguing blend of Persona, coffee brewing and reverse tower defence dungeons that doesn't quite cohere into a tasty whole.

Affogato has a lot of great mechanics for exploration tied into its own coffee brew. There may be some difficulty spikes and a game that ties itself down after opening up, but overall it’s a great time.

Affogato combines elements of visual novels, popular Japanese RPGs, and anime to create a compelling title. The beautifully drawn illustrations and superb Japanese voice cast make Affogato feel like a high-quality anime or visual novel production. Affogato's Persona-inspired life management systems also allow players to dive deeper into the game's colorful cast of characters as well.

It’s not often that you find a JRPG that combines comedy, life perspectives, time management, and strategy. Affogato takes those aspects and mixes them together like a fine cup of coffee, taking several cues from the Persona series but having enough unique elements to stand on its own. The characters, visuals, and combat have enough charm to immerse you for hours.

Affogato manages to create a rich and flavorful blend of visual novel, tower defense, and social RPG. It may be lacking in side-activities, but what's there is special, and definitely worth digging into if you're looking for something new.

Fans of tower defense games and JRPGs should give this game a look, because it’s at once inventive and satisfying. It’s not flawless, but I’ve played big-budget games this year that didn’t have half the heart or originality that this little game has.

In the city of eternal twilight, the most important person is the coffee-slinging barista. Whether it's the magic of cards or the chemistry of caffeination, Affogato's out to save the city, one latte at a time.