Sure thing. Here it goes:
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So, bartending sims—they’re kinda rare, right? But then there’s this game, Bartender Hustle from Ultimate Games. It sorta steps up to the, uh, metaphorical bar with this mix of, like, charm and challenge. Not to mention the clink of virtual glasses. You can dive into the story, mess around in arcade mode, or just go all-in on crafting the perfect cocktail in sandbox mode. It’s like getting a taste of life behind the bar without, you know, all the sticky floors. Curious? Well, here’s more in our Bartender Hustle review! Or not. Up to you.
First up, you’ve got Story Mode. You play as Amy—she’s like this new hire at Whiskey Pub. All wide-eyed and stuff on her first shift. Patrons come with their quirks and favorite drinks, and while the chats are mostly just stuff like “Hey, how’s it going?”—there’s a little something in figuring out the personal tales of everyone you meet. Isn’t it weird how small talk can sometimes lead to more, or maybe I’m just overthinking as usual? Anyway, you pour drinks, mix cocktails, and soon enough, the bar’s bustling with life.
Making drinks? Yeah, that’s the heart of it. At the start, it’s all about picking the right glass, pouring the right brew, and hitting that perfect pour with the R2 button. The mechanics are pretty decent, although I kept wishing for a more, I dunno, refined pouring style. Something like that one game, Dave the Diver. Finesse, feedback—that’d be cool. But it’s nice that the game keeps you from losing your mind by offering a cocktail guide. Just hit the D-pad. Super handy, since even small mess-ups make you start over. No big penalty, just do-over land, which I can handle—barely.
Oh, and no crazy rush in Story Mode, so you can just mess around and get the hang of things. The difficulty inches up slowly, so you eventually know the layout of each bar—you kinda end up being on autopilot, which is strangely satisfying. Even the small talk turns into a fun, low-stress vibe.
Then there’s Arcade Mode. You run your own bar. Less chatting, more managing rep and efficiency. Customers pile in and it’s all about speed and quality. It’s cool but can get repetitive sooner than Story Mode, which, fair point, sometimes makes me wanna scream. But the stakes are high, so drink-making speed upgrades are a must.
If chilling is more your speed, Sandbox Mode’s where you just pick a drink and perfect it. No pesky customers—just you, a drink, and gunning for achievements. Also, trophy hunters? You can rack up achievements pretty well in Sandbox Mode. Just saying.
So, the game looks good. Like, surprisingly. You start in this nicely rendered apartment you can decorate, which adds an ownership layer. Bars feel real—warm lighting, cluttered counters, jazzy tunes in the background. Perfect pub vibes, although the tracks loop a bit too much. Annoying. Character models? Meh, some are stuck in an uncanny valley with creepy expressions. And NPCs? They vanish like magic—poof!—when they leave your view, which is hilarious, if you ask me.
Trophies, anyone? There’s, like, a whole bunch of them. 62 Bronze, a Silver, a Gold. One lovely, shiny Platinum if you’re up for collecting everything—just serve drinks, do orders, boost reputation. FYI, Sandbox Mode’s great for snatching achievements, if you’re into that.
So yeah, Bartender Hustle delivers on its promise—a decent bartending experience, despite a few rough patches and missed chances for more (like using PS5’s adaptive triggers for a cooler experience—seriously, why not?). Still, if you’re up for a laid-back yet satisfying sim, give it a go. It’s on PlayStation 5 for $17.99. Cheers!
Raise a glass—this game’s easy to recommend. Or not. Depends on your mood, really.
Disclaimer: This review’s based on a PlayStation copy from Ultimate Games.
