Best Served Cold

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Characters: Many users praised the well-written and complex characters, noting their development and the emotional connections formed throughout the game.
• Art and Atmosphere: The game's visuals and art style received high marks, creating an immersive experience set in a vibrant 1920s speakeasy atmosphere.
• Story and Narrative: The storyline was generally well-received, with users appreciating the intriguing murder mysteries and narrative depth, including unexpected twists.
• Length and Content: The game offers a substantial playtime with multiple cases (five in total), allowing players to invest time in the story and character interactions.
• Unique Gameplay Mechanics: The combination of bartending and detective work, along with the clue board mechanic, provided a fresh take on the visual novel genre.

The main cons of the game

• Repetitive Gameplay: Several reviews mentioned that the gameplay, particularly the drink-mixing mechanic, became monotonous after a while. The mixing was often described as simplistic and lacking depth.
• Predictable Mysteries: Some users found the cases to be relatively easy to solve, with predictable outcomes that might not challenge seasoned players of the genre.
• Lack of Impactful Choices: Many players expressed disappointment with the romance options, feeling that they did not lead to meaningful changes in character interactions or endings.
• User Interface Issues: Complaints included a clunky UI, particularly regarding the dialogue system that did not allow skipping previously read dialogue.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Character Memory: Players noted a desire for characters to remember past interactions, especially regarding affection levels and choices made, which felt inconsistent after the first case.

Conclusion

• Difficulty Modes: Some reviewers suggested the addition of difficulty settings to make the investigative aspects more challenging for experienced players.
• Voice Acting: The absence of voice acting was mentioned as a missed opportunity that could have enhanced the immersive experience.

Summary

• Overall, while "Best Served Cold" has garnered praise for its storytelling, character development, and art, it also faces criticism for repetitive gameplay and insufficient payoff for player choices, particularly in the romance aspect. Users generally enjoyed the game but expressed a desire for improvements in certain areas.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025