The Boba Tea Shop

The Boba Tea Shop is a horror-themed simulation game where players take on the role of Risa, a 30-year-old woman who leaves her corporate job to open her own boba tea shop. The game combines simple drink-making mechanics with a gradually unfolding story and an unsettling atmosphere. Players manage customer orders, experiment with menu upgrades, and respond to unpredictable events in the shop. While the core gameplay appears calm and routine, unusual patterns begin to emerge over time.

Managing the Shop and Serving Customers

At first glance, the tasks are straightforward. Players welcome guests, take orders, and prepare drinks using basic ingredients like milk tea and tapioca pearls. Drinks are sealed, served with a straw, and handed over to waiting customers. The interface allows for quick preparation, but attention to detail becomes important as more customers arrive. As the shop expands, so does the range of options and customer expectations.

Gameplay Elements and Visual Style

The game integrates several systems that shape the experience:

•         A growing menu with new flavors and combinations
•         VHS-style visuals that alter over time
•         Unexpected customer behavior and narrative events
•         Inventory and cleanliness management
•         Story progression based on choices and performance

Players encounter both pleasant and difficult customers. Some leave compliments, others cause problems or act suspiciously. The tone of the game begins to shift as more strange encounters occur, turning a normal workday into something more unsettling.

Uncovering the Story of Risa

As Risa continues running the tea shop, fragments of her past and motivations are revealed through flashbacks and journal entries. The story explores her desire for change, her struggle with isolation, and her search for meaning beyond career success. Dialogue and environmental clues help build a larger picture of her emotional journey and the strange presence that seems to affect the shop’s surroundings.

Atmosphere and Psychological Tension

The Boba Tea Shop uses visual and audio design to create tension beneath the surface. VHS filters, distorted sounds, and flickering lights become more frequent as the game progresses. These elements contrast with the cheerful setting of the tea shop, creating a sense of unease. While the gameplay remains mechanical and structured, the experience becomes more psychological, suggesting that something deeper is happening behind the routine of making drinks.