Developer Nomada Studio's upcoming title, Hips N Noses, presents a dual-genre experience that merges cafe management simulation with roguelike combat inspired by Vampire Survivors. The game is set in a world where the concept of sleep is unknown to its inhabitants, leading to widespread amnesia, with the exception of the player character, Mela, and her employer, Beri.
Mela works at a cafe where she crafts unique coffees using magical flowers that grow from her and Beri's heads. These beverages are capable of restoring lost memories for the cafe's patrons. The gameplay loop involves a cafe management section, reminiscent of Overcooked, where players must fulfill customer orders by brewing various coffee concoctions. Success hinges on accurately mixing ingredients to meet specific customer requests, which can range from simple Americanos to more complex orders requiring particular temperature or flavor profiles.
When night falls, Mela enters the dream world, which shifts the game into its roguelike component. Here, players engage in combat against increasingly challenging waves of enemies, similar to Vampire Survivors. During these dream sequences, players can acquire new powers and abilities. Hips N Noses introduces support characters who possess unique attacks and buffs that are influenced by their affinity with Mela in the waking world, adding a layer of strategy to the combat.
While the core mechanics of the roguelike combat and management aspects may initially feel familiar, the game aims to differentiate itself through the unique thematic integration of coffee, dreams, and memory. The lo-fi aesthetic and soundtrack, coupled with a modern witchy vibe, contribute to the game's distinct atmosphere. Hips N Noses is slated for an early access launch, and players can wishlist the title on Steam.