Summary
American culture is obsessed with coffee. One can find a Starbucks on pretty much every corner in every major city. It can be a good pick-me-up for that afternoon slump on the job, or if one has a major assignment coming up the next day. Eastern culture, however, has a much greater appreciation for tea.
Tea has been drunk and celebrated for centuries. It can be used to provide a small energy boost, to relax, or to comfort one when they are cold or sick. Several titles, particularly cozy games, celebrate the benefits of this beverage, both hot and cold.
The Long Darkis another entry in the continually growing survival genre of games. This one takes place in the Canadian wilderness after a cataclysmic event knocks out all electrical power and devastates the wilderness.
Playing the game requires one to manage hunger, thirst, and body temperature. A good way to both warm up and hydrate is to sit by the fire and drink a hot cup of tea. Several varieties can be discovered and crafted inThe Long Dark. These include boxed herbal tea and tea made from both mushrooms and tea bark. These aren’t just forfending off the cold, though. They also have medicinal properties that could treat ailments contracted while trying to stay alive.
Okamiis one ofCapcom’s most underappreciated gamesand one of the last games Clover Studios would develop before being shut down. It follows Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess reincarnated as a legendary white wolf, on a quest to defeat the multi-headed demon Orochi. With the power of the celestial brush, she banishes the darkness from the land and restores the beauty of nature.
The game draws heavy influence from Japanese culture, including the beautiful woodblock-influenced art style and the representation of Shinto mythology. One element also heavily integrated into Japanese culture is tea, particularly green tea, and the classic tea ceremony. This makesOkamithe perfect pairing with a hot matcha latte. It even features a side quest where Amaterasu must retrieve a teacup for a tea shop owner from a band of thieving moles.
A Tavern for Teais a short visual novel set in a fantasy landscape. The tavern owner must uncover the conflict between a lone traveler and a demon that comes in one night. It is a very short game that needs to be played multiple times to unlock new dialogue and reach the true ending.
The tea offered here is unique to the game’s world. The title itself describes the tea-making process as more akin to brewing a potion. Up to 21 blends can be discovered, and the tavern owner is free to experiment and give customers the perfect tea for the occasion, if not the tea they might actually want.
While considered the black sheep of theAssassin’s Creedfranchise,Assassin’s Creed 3has much to offer. It has a beautifully realized vision of colonial America, as well as a positive representation of indigenous peoples, particularly in the game’s protagonist, Connor.
Being thatAssassin’s Creed 3follows Connor’s journey through early America and the American Revolution, it features the ultimate tea party: the Boston Tea Party. Conner protects the rebels as they toss crates of British tea into Griffin’s Wharf, in protest of Britain’s unjust taxes. The game takes liberties, however, with its depiction of what was supposed to be a peaceful protest.
Calicois probably the most pastel game to have ever existed. It has bright colors, including lots of pink. It is also a cozyStardew Valley-type gamewhere the player-created character runs a local café, preparing food and drinks with a little magic, as well as petting every animal in sight.
One can prepare several items in this game, including some fruity boba tea. This is made by shrinking and playing mini-games to prepare the ingredients, including standing and jumping on a stove button to heat the milk, or pouring it from a balloon.
Coffee TalkEpisode2: Hibiscus and Butterflyis the follow-up toCoffee Talk, a calm visual novel about running a café in an alternate version of Seattle populated by humans and fantasy characters alike. It offers much of the same as its predecessor: brewing drinks for customers, hearing about their challenges, and influencing how their journeys play out, thanks to the right or wrong beverage.
Among the drinks that the barista can brew are varieties of tea.Episode 2adds two new tea varieties: hibiscus and butterfly pea. This yieldsnew potential drink combinations, which any tea drinker might want to try. The mellow vibe of the game also makes it a great pairing with a cup of tea in real life.
Playneis an independent game where the goal is to do nothing. A friendly talking fox meets the wandering meditator on a barren island where time has stopped. Throughthe act of meditation, time progresses, and nature begins to renew itself.
Playneencourages one to be still and maintain awareness of one’s thoughts. A hot cup of tea perfectly complements this. It calms the mind and warms the spirit, especially when the weather gets cold. A cup of mint tea is particularly soothing and will help relieve anxiety and allow one to be more aware of the present moment.
Fire Emblem: Three Housesfor the Nintendo Switch follows another story set in theFire Emblemuniverse. It brings back the tactical combat that fans of the series have grown to love,as well as permanent death, which is available in the Classic mode.
A major element ofFire Emblem: Three Housesis the relationships that are built between the characters. These can be built by inviting them to tea parties. The right tea can impact how the party turns out, and the characters have their own preferences. Hosting a perfect tea party will greatly increase the bond between characters, as well as provide an additional charm increase.
