Basic Information
- Official English Name: Would You Like To Run An Idol Café?
- Developer & Publisher: Developed by StarlightTree Games and published by Gamuzumi
- Release Dates:
- North America: November 12, 2021
- Europe: November 18, 2021
- Asia: November 2021 (varies by region)
- Supported Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam)
- Game Tags: Visual Novel, Simulation, Romance, Idol Manager
- Social Media Links:
- Twitter: @Gamuzumi
- Steam Page: View Game
- Developer Site: StarlightTree Games
In-Depth Review
Would You Like To Run An Idol Café? is a lighthearted visual novel that blends romance, comedy, and management simulation. Players take on the role of Naoya, a young man who joins a struggling seaside café to help his childhood friend Ichigo and her coworkers. The story quickly evolves into forming an idol group, Sweet Shoreline, to save the café from closure. The game’s charm lies in its character-driven narrative and branching storylines influenced by player choices.
The game’s visual style features vibrant anime aesthetics with expressive character designs. While the core gameplay revolves around dialogue choices and relationship-building, the idol management elements add a strategic layer. Players must balance Naoya’s personal life with the demands of managing an idol group, including scheduling performances and handling rivalries. Key decisions impact the game’s multiple endings, encouraging replayability to explore different outcomes.
One of the standout features is its focus on character development. The main cast, including Ichigo, Mayuki, and Kuu, are fleshed out with distinct personalities and backstories. Their interactions range from heartfelt moments to humorous scenarios, such as drunken karaoke sessions or beach outings. The addition of rival idols, Rina and Hasaki, introduces conflict and adds depth to the narrative. However, some players may find their over-the-top antagonist personalities grating, though this seems intentional to highlight the challenges of the idol industry.
The game’s lighthearted tone is balanced with occasional lewd humor, though censorship varies by platform (e.g., Sony consoles have stricter content guidelines). Despite this, the narrative remains engaging, particularly for fans of slice-of-life visual novels. The short playtime (around 1-2 hours) makes it an accessible choice for casual players, while the lack of a flowchart for tracking endings may deter completionists.
Overall, Would You Like To Run An Idol Café? offers a fun, if not deeply complex, experience. Its success lies in its relatable characters, humorous dialogue, and the satisfaction of guiding an underdog idol group to stardom. While it may not redefine the visual novel genre, it provides an enjoyable distraction for fans of romantic comedy and idol culture.
Game Link: Would You Like To Run An Idol Café?