[b]Note:[/b] I won't comment on the writing for this visual novel since I was the proofreader for the original English version. However, all other aspects are fair game. XD
[i]CAFE 0 ~The Sleeping Beast~ REMASTERED[/i] is a mystery visual novel developed by ROSEVERTE MYSTERY and published by ROSEVERTE. As the name states, this is the remastered version, and the original is still available for purchase on Steam. Even though I wrote up a review for the original version, I will not be referring to it for this review. Anyway, you take on the role of Corliss Green, a young woman who has recently been employed as a maid for the Ashford family. However, the real reason she has come to the village nearby the Ashfords is that Corliss is looking for her missing aunt, Sophie Evans. It was her mother's last wish, and Corliss wants to fulfill it. However, before she can find out anything about her aunt (or anything else, for that matter), Corliss awakens to find herself at the door to Cafe 0. It is a place where those who have recently departed but don't know where to go (heaven, hell, or elsewhere) end up. There, she is greeted by the waiter, Noir, who tells her that she's dead but because Corliss cannot accept her death, she has ended up at Cafe 0. As his job, Noir sends Corliss back to seven days before her death, basically reliving those days, so that she can find answers and make peace. That's the basic story premise, so I'll end my synopsis here to avoid spoilers.
As for the gameplay, [i]CAFE 0 ~The Sleeping Beast~ REMASTERED[/i] has several choices that are presented throughout the story. Depending on the choices made, you'll either get the bad end or Ethan's or Nathan's route (the Ashford brothers). Based on the choices made for Ethan's or Nathan's route, you'll then obtain one of his two possible endings. Once you obtain all those endings, then the true route will be unlocked, and based on the final possible choice, you can obtain one of three true route endings: three-in-one, future life, or bad end. Also, there are lots of CGs and a varied soundtrack as well as full on Japanese voice acting. In addition, there are Steam achievements although at the time of this review, they won't count towards a user's global total until the game is out of "Steam is learning about this game".
Now that I've gone over the story and gameplay, I'll move onto my critique. I remember getting the chance to read this story way back when the original version was released, and I totally loved it. (I suppose it doesn't hurt that mystery is one of my all time favorite genres. XD) Of course, the story in this remastered version is still the same. (The only thing that I noticed was different was that a couple of lines were changed from the original version.) Right away, we're in Corliss' shoes and we find out that she's dead. The story wastes no time in narrating that something tragic has happened. Then Corliss is greeted by the rude waiter, Noir, who forces her inside the cafe and then makes her drink a cup of coffee, which will then take her back to seven days before her death. From there, we get to experience Corliss' life from her first day as a maid for the Ashfords until her death. As she goes about her duties, she gets to know Ethan and Nathan, the Ashford brothers, as well as Barclay, the butler who hired Corliss. Depending on the choices made, Corliss can get to know Ethan or Nathan better and awaken the various feelings (such as friendship, love, etc.) that are locked deep inside her. Also, she'll get a hint for each day spent (assuming that she's on a route), and when Noir obtains the hint later during the night in this dreamlike world where he and Corliss are, he can show Corliss a part of Sophie's past. The hints are supposed to help Corliss understand Sophie and perhaps to learn what happened to her.
Anyway, I liked the story premise. There is some tragedy, especially when Corliss finally learns the truth about what happened to her and those around her, although mystery is the main focus. I like the hint system, which gives Corliss a glimpse into Sophie's past. Although Sophie appeared to be a happy, cheerful person, [spoiler]there was definitely some sadness and darkness inside her[/spoiler]. I enjoyed learning these bits and pieces of the past and how they tied to the present, and the true route is mind blowing. Although it isn't stated outright, I believe that Ending 1 of the true route is the true ending since [spoiler]there's a bit of epilogue with Noir talking and making a fun reference to the waiter from [i]Cafe 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~[/i][/spoiler]. (I should mention that even though there is [i]Cafe 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~[/i], it is not necessary to have played it before delving into this story.) The cast of characters is great. Corliss is the main character, and even though she behaves like a doll at first (just going with the flow and doing what others tell her), as she finishes up various routes and such, certain feelings inside her get opened up, and I suppose she becomes more human. It'll take too long for me to go into all the characters, but I'll just say that I liked both Ethan and Nathan. Despite that they're brothers, their personalities couldn't be any more different. Although Ethan may initially come off as friendlier, there's some darkness inside him, while Nathan, who initially comes off as a bit cold, is actually a kind person. As for Barclay, I'd be going into spoiler territory regarding him, but he's quite the character, both in the present and past.
In regards to the art, this is where the remastered part comes in. The graphics have been updated from the original version, and the backgrounds were redrawn. There's more animation in regards to the characters' eyes and lips moving, and although I loved the art in the original version, this art here is improved, and it definitely shows. The style gives off that 19th century small village in Europe feeling, which is a nice change from the setting of [i]Cafe 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~[/i]. (Those who have played it will probably know what I mean.) Regarding the music, the soundtrack is just as lovely to listen to as in the original. I love the use of instrumentals for the various tracks, and there's a good variety from the happy, everyday theme to the tragedy-has-suddenly-struck one. Of course, like in the original, there's full on Japanese voice acting, and the voices fit perfectly with the characters. The characters' lips move about perfectly with their voice lines, and I have no complaints on that aspect.
Overall, would I recommend [i]CAFE 0 ~The Sleeping Beast~ REMASTERED[/i]? If you enjoy mystery visual novels and especially enjoyed the original, this is worth getting. I loved getting to experience the story again with improved art and animation. From beginning to end, the journey is very enjoyable, with one revelation after another being opened before my eyes. For the asking price, with all the aspects I mentioned and the gameplay value, I feel like this is worth purchasing. However, you can hold off for a bit of a sale, and it's in a few Steam bundles as well.
Finally, I want to give thanks to the developer for the review key. I enjoy the [i]Cafe 0[/i] series, and I hope that there will be more such games in the future. ^^
[quote]Flying free and writing reviews solely for [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44702020/]The Introverted Gamer[/url].[/quote]
