Released last month on Epic Games Store, Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly is a visual novel where you run a late-night coffee shop, serving up comforting drinks and a listening ear to fantasy creatures of all sorts. Since a visual novel lives or dies by its characters, this game’s cast needs to offer enough personality and variety to make Coffee Talk a place gamers will want to visit again and again. Let’s examine which Coffee Talk patrons would be most fun to grab a drink with, and who are better off drinking alone.

15. SILVER

Formerly part of an intergalactic hivemind, Silver has since broken free and now strives to blend in with earthly society. Frankly, since he's adapted to life among humans surprisingly well, he’s lost a huge part of what makes him unique. He’s a decent enough dude, sure—but in a world of orcs and banshees, why settle for “decent?"

14. HYDE

Coffee Talk’s resident vampire/supermodel/aspiring photographer is arguably the most abrasive member of the game’s cast. He doesn’t mince words and other characters often call him out for being a jerk. Still, it’s clear there’s a heart of gold buried deep down in this guy’s stoic frame, but you might just have to do some digging to find it. The question is this: Is it worth putting up with him at his worst to get to his best? We're not so sure.

13. MYRTLE

Myrtle is an orc of few words, at least until you get to know her. Then, she’s…well, usually still an orc of few words. She's fiercely loyal to her friends, and will say or do just about anything to help you. Sometimes this may require some tough love, so if you do something stupid in front of her, don’t expect to have your feelings spared. Still, if you have a thick skin and are willing to look past her tough exterior, she’s an orc gal you’ll always be happy to have in your corner.

12. LUA

Most of Lua’s conversations are centered around either her office job or her relationship with her fiancé, Baileys, which can get a bit tiring. On the other hand, there’s no denying she has a kind heart and wants everyone to be happy, which are always admirable traits to have in a friend. Don’t let the fact that she’s a succubus make you question her moral character; she clearly only has eyes for Baileys, which shows that you should never fall prey to stereotyping.

11. BAILEYS

Baileys is an elf who stands strong for what he believes in. He's willing to sacrifice his relationship with his well-to-do family—and even his elven immortality—to be together with his fiancée, Lua. You can’t help but want to buy a drink for someone who demonstrates that kind of unselfish commitment. He’s a graphic designer, which might be a bit hit-and-miss when it comes to stimulating conversation, but he can even make a chat about his more boring projects interesting thanks to his snarky commentary.

10. CAT

It's a cat! No, really, that’s basically it. It does end up having a bit more significance if you 100% complete the game (no spoilers), but for the most part, just enjoy the fact that it’s a cat, and it wants to hang out with you. Or, at least, it wants you to give it milk and then leave it alone. Also, it can’t transform into a humanoid form—this will make more sense later—so it doesn’t quite rank as high as several others on this list. In any event, if you’re a cat person, you’d likely be happy just sharing the same space with it.

9. HENDRY

Hendry is sort of a bit player in the world of Coffee Talk, but he still has something to offer. He's an accomplished record producer who is fiercely protective of his daughter, Rachel, who is a famous pop idol. Considering how many record producers in the world are total sleazeballs— something even he is willing to admit—seeing one with a shred of moral integrity is really nice to see. He's a generally all-around pleasant fella; plus, he’s able to transform into a cat at will! A cool old dude and a cat in one package? It’s like having two friends in one.

8. AMANDA

Having previously shared a hivemind with Silver before he broke free, Amanda is basically going through the same character arc that Silver did in the first game. Her naïveté lends itself to a natural curiosity about the world around her, so you’ll likely never run out of things to talk about. Most of your conversation will likely revolve around explaining our weird human customs and way of life, which may wear thin after a while for some, but hey, who doesn’t love to talk about themselves? 

7. GALA

This hulking fellow’s massive frame belies his surprisingly gentle personality. It’s no surprise that he’s had a long, rewarding career in the medical field. He’s chill, friendly, and a good conversationalist, and he's always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. The caveat? Well, he is a werewolf, so we think the implications are pretty obvious: Steering clear of him during the full moon is in your best interest.

6. JORJI

If you want a fount of interesting stories, Jorji’s the guy to hang with. Considering he’s one of the few purely human characters in the game, that’s saying something. A police officer in a fantasy world naturally has no shortage of gripping yarns to share, and he’s a pretty amicable, easygoing dude to boot. Being on the older end of the spectrum, there’s no denying that he’s not quite as “hip” as his younger fellow cast members, but he still manages to hold his own—no doubt in part due to the time he spends raising several teenage daughters. 

5. RACHEL

She’s a pop idol and she can turn into a cat at will? What’s not to like? Okay, so she can be a bit petulant and bratty at times—unsurprising, considering she’s the youngest of the main cast—but thankfully, she matures significantly between the first and second games, all while retaining her whimsical, bubbly attitude. You can’t help but feel her happy energy rub off on you whenever she’s around. Did we mention she can turn into a cat?

4. RIONA

As an aspiring opera singer, Riona refuses to give in to the prejudice she faces in the opera community, and that quality is quite endearing. As a banshee—a species not exactly known for their melodious voices—seeing her fight against society’s preconceived notions of her kind in order to achieve her dreams is nothing short of inspiring. We all need a friend who can inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves, regardless of what others around us might think.

3. AQUA

This mermaid is another tough character to get a read on, mostly due to her crippling social anxiety. But if you’re a fan of the cute, shy nerdy type, Aqua might be the hangout buddy for you. As a game developer, she knows a thing or two about the world of gaming, and since you’re here reading this article on the Epic Games Store, we think it’s a pretty safe assumption you’d have plenty to chat about. You might have to put in the lion’s share of effort to get the convo rolling, but many of the most rewarding friendships are worth working for.

2. LUCAS

This fun, easygoing satyr makes his living as a social media influencer, and he has a larger-than-life personality to match. He’s every bit as cool a dude away from the camera; he doesn’t get too wrapped up in his own hype, and he's willing to strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone, showcasing an infectious energy and optimism that makes him the life of any party. He can be a bit tactless and nosy at times, but it ultimately comes from a good place.

1. FREYA

Sadly, we see precious little of the best Coffee Talk character in Episode 2, likely to offset her getting the majority of the focus in the original game—not that she didn't deserve it. She possesses the same inquisitive nature and friendly personality as Lucas, but what cements her spot at the top of my list is the fact that she’s also a journalist and novelist, unarguably two of the coolest professions there are. You can’t go wrong hanging with this green-haired manic pixie dream girl.

Find your own favorite coffee shop patron by picking up Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly on Epic Games Store. While you’re at it, why not grab the original Coffee Talk as well?