Dark Coffee

Dark Coffee is a visual novel that combines the everyday stories of a small town with Lovecraftian horror. The player takes the role of Carrozia, a witch who owns a coffee shop called Dark Coffee in the town of Mursvinch. Visitors come to the counter with their own stories, including searching for identity, carrying guilt, or wanting to change their lives. Some visitors are not what they appear to be, and not everyone is meant to be helped.

The core mechanic involves listening to visitors, remembering details from their conversations, and choosing ingredients for each drink accordingly. Available ingredients include coffee, tea, herbs and spices, along with some that are harder to find. The drink served can affect a visitor’s courage, honesty or future, and a poor choice may have darker consequences. The player’s choices alter relationships between the town’s residents, unlock new events and shape the fate of the town, with multiple endings.

Outside of serving customers, the player can tidy the cafe, explore its corners, read the local newspaper and take part in interactive episodes. The cafe can also be decorated to the player’s taste. Mysteries develop day by day as a fog draws closer to the town. The game uses a visual style inspired by 1970s comics.