CAFE 0 ~The Sleeping Beast~ (2016)

About the Game

CAFE 0 ~The Sleeping Beast~ is a fully voiced Japanese supernatural mystery visual novel. The game offers a distinct narrative experience and does not require players to have played CAFE 0 ~The Drowned Mermaid~ to understand the events. Both titles feature protagonists visiting the same café, yet their individual stories remain entirely separate. The game’s atmospheric and immersive soundtrack is provided by Seycara Orchestra, highlighting the narrative’s emotional and suspenseful tones.

Story

The Present

The narrative begins in a village reminiscent of 19th-century Europe, where a large noble villa stands. Corliss Green works at this villa. One day, she awakens to find herself in front of a mysterious café. Noir, the enigmatic waiter, explains that she has already passed away but did not move on to heaven, leaving her spirit lost at the threshold of Café 0. He offers Corliss the chance to return to a week before her death. The story explores whether she truly needs to ascend to heaven and uncovers the truth surrounding her untimely demise.

The Past

Sophie Evans, a midwife, is cheerful and widely liked in the village. The game delves into her connection with a missing person incident that occurred fifteen years earlier, gradually revealing hidden relationships and unresolved mysteries linked to her character.

Characters

• Corliss - Voiced by Ayano
• Nathan - Voiced by Mayuki Sawae
• Ethan - Voiced by Tarou Yamada
• Barclay - Voiced by Nyoibou
• Noir - Voiced by Shinya
• Sophie - Voiced by Aonoi
• Ed - Voiced by Kyou Tsukikage
• Eva/Emma - Voiced by Remi Tamaki
• MOB - Voiced by Aonoi, Ayano, Kon, Kouto Saionji, Shiwasun, Komugi Tachibana, Hiko Morikawa, Nyoibou

Gameplay and Routes

To access character-specific routes, players must select choices highlighted with hearts of the same color on Day 2 and Day 3. After completing all individual character routes, the game unlocks the true route, revealing the overarching storyline. The gameplay emphasizes decision-making and narrative exploration rather than action, allowing players to immerse themselves fully in the story and character interactions.

Music

The game features an original orchestral soundtrack with 11 tracks composed by Seycara Orchestra, enhancing the mysterious and atmospheric tone of the story. The theme song, "Replay?", is composed by Souichi Sakagami (Trial & Error), with lyrics by kikyow and vocals by ming-zi, providing a memorable and emotive musical centerpiece.

Streaming and Let’s Play Guidelines

Players are permitted to create Let’s Play or streaming content using only Nathan’s routes, with the requirement to include original material such as personal commentary or voiceovers. Simply recording or playing the game without additional content is not allowed.