CAFE 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~

I played it years ago, but I remember that it was an interesting story.

Very short and boring game. Spent more time trying to get the trading cards then playing it.

MAJORLY unsatisfying "True" end. Sort of had the spirit, but it ends surprisingly abruptly with no real confrontation or aftermath. Reason I am recommending this game is because it had a plot twist I didn't expect, and that doesn't happen to me often. Also, I support indie VN creators where I can. DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A HAPPY OTOME AND DOES NOT HAVE A TRADITIONALLY HAPPY ENDING. I wish I knew that before purchasing, so here's my comment warning you.

Okay. A short vn but wow, this was kinda fun. Not entirely trashy but I liked the drama and story well enough. It's certainly something to try explain to your friends what happens haha! The true end that happens in this game, is always something I look forward to and wished I saw more like it... nice.

太丑了玩不下去一点 ——来自小黑盒用户漆黑的狗蛋的评价

1/10

It pains me not to recommend this one because it's decent and the effort is there, but ultimately I can't justify the pricetag. The basic concept is interesting. You awake with no memory and learn that you'll die in 7 days, You spend the next few days learning who you were and how it all went down. The plot, while not fantastically written, is fairly interesting. Mechanically, the entire game comes down to making a choice of who to talk to and HOPEFULLY making a choice in the conversation that'll push you to the light or dark side. And this is where things fell apart for me. But the entire game is ~5 choices of characters with a Light/Dark decision on some conversations. This tight time limit means that a wasted action on a day basically forces a bad ending. This makes each run feel on rails as I "Always talk to X and always answer LIGHT SIDE" to try and see the story route. This lack of feeling behind the choices is a killer for my VN enjoyment. In addition, the deadline means everything feels so insanely condensed that you don't get a chance to become attached to anyone. There is a real plot developing over repeated plays, so if you're a completionist VN player you'll probably enjoy it far more than I did. But for me, it just doesn't work for me.

Первая новелла в которой мне плохие концовки понравились больше хороших. Если счастливые концовки являются просто милой историей, плохие показывают истинные лица окружающих. Хах, забавно что меня сначала смутило отсутствие рута с Суи, но потом поняла что так даже лучше. Ибо здорово что решили оставить его загадочным обслуживающим) Вместо ожидаемой отоме, романтики и прочей вычурной ванильности, получила хорошее и интересное произведение на несколько часов, по скидке. B)

Just couldn't get into the story at all. And I tried.

CAFE 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~, developed by ROSEVERTE MYSTERY and published by ROSEVERTE, is a moody and introspective visual novel that blends supernatural mystery with emotional character drama. Rather than relying on spectacle or complex mechanics, the game focuses on atmosphere, memory, and choice-driven storytelling, presenting an experience that feels quietly unsettling and deeply personal. From its opening moments, the game establishes a dreamlike tone, inviting players into a liminal space where life, death, and unresolved regret intersect. The story begins with Marin Umino awakening in an unfamiliar café, greeted by a calm and enigmatic waiter named Sui. With no memory of who she is or how she arrived there, Marin gradually learns the truth: she has died. Café 0 exists as a space between worlds, offering her one final opportunity to revisit the last seven days of her life. This structure immediately reframes the narrative as a journey through memory rather than a straightforward mystery, encouraging players to reflect on how small decisions and interpersonal dynamics can ripple outward into irreversible outcomes. The café itself becomes a symbolic anchor, a quiet and neutral place that contrasts sharply with the emotional turbulence of the past Marin is about to relive. As Marin revisits her final week, she reconnects with people who played significant roles in her life, including her best friend Ami, her former boyfriend Tooru, and Shou, a doctor tied to her personal history. Each character is written with a sense of ambiguity, and their relationships with Marin shift depending on how the player chooses to interact with them. The narrative does not rush to explain motivations or truths; instead, it allows understanding to emerge slowly through repeated conversations, subtle emotional cues, and the consequences of player choices. This gradual unraveling gives the story a haunting quality, as each revelation feels earned rather than delivered outright. Choice is central to the experience, but not in a simplistic or immediately gratifying way. Decisions often feel morally gray, shaped by incomplete information and emotional context rather than clear right or wrong answers. These choices influence which story paths open up and which endings become available, ranging from bleak and tragic to cautiously hopeful. The game encourages multiple playthroughs, as only by exploring different routes can players piece together the full truth behind Marin’s death and unlock the deeper layers of the narrative. This structure reinforces the theme of perspective, suggesting that understanding a life—or a death—requires more than a single viewpoint. Thematically, CAFE 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~ is deeply concerned with regret, identity, and the stories people tell themselves about the past. Marin’s lack of memory mirrors the player’s initial detachment, and as fragments of her personality and history surface, the game invites reflection on how self-perception is shaped by relationships and choices. Rather than positioning Marin as a passive victim, the narrative challenges players to confront uncomfortable truths about her actions and emotional distance, making the mystery as much about self-awareness as it is about uncovering external events. Visually, the game embraces a minimalist visual novel presentation, using static backgrounds, character sprites, and occasional CG illustrations to convey mood rather than spectacle. While the art style may appear modest or dated compared to modern visual novels, it serves the story’s tone effectively, emphasizing stillness and emotional tension. Character expressions are subtle but expressive, allowing small shifts in posture or gaze to carry significant narrative weight. The café’s recurring imagery, in particular, reinforces the sense of a quiet, suspended reality that exists outside of time. Sound design and music further enhance the game’s eerie atmosphere. The soundtrack is subdued and melancholic, often fading into the background to allow silence and dialogue to dominate emotionally charged scenes. This restraint amplifies the sense of isolation and introspection, making moments of realization or confrontation feel heavier and more intimate. Optional voice acting in some versions adds an extra layer of immersion, but even without it, the text-driven delivery maintains a strong emotional presence. In terms of pacing, the game is relatively short, but its compact length works in its favor. Each playthrough can be completed in a few hours, yet the branching structure and layered storytelling encourage replay. Rather than padding its runtime, the game trusts players to engage with its themes thoughtfully, rewarding patience and curiosity with deeper narrative insight. Some players may find the pacing slow or the presentation understated, but those who appreciate reflective storytelling will likely find the experience compelling. Overall, CAFE 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~ stands as a thoughtful and atmospheric visual novel that prioritizes emotional resonance over conventional thrills. It explores death not as an endpoint, but as a lens through which life’s unresolved questions are examined. While it may not appeal to players seeking fast-paced gameplay or dramatic spectacle, it offers a quietly powerful experience for those drawn to introspective mystery and character-driven narratives. For fans of supernatural visual novels that linger on memory, regret, and the weight of choice, this game remains a memorable and haunting journey long after its final scene fades. Rating: 6/10