The latest in the controversial drink-mixing visual novel app is now available.
The Bar Oasis games are a series of apps developed by Corners Studio Ultramarine for iOS which utilize your device’s touch-screen to teach players how to mix up a range of fancy, and true-to-life, beverages. The original game in the series reached number one on the Korean iTunes app store before being banned for its depictions of alcohol, but in the regions it’s still available, the app is rated 17+ for “Frequent/Intense Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References” and “Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity”. iTunes may be a veritable wild west when it comes to the apps released on it, but Apple are still a stickler when it comes to potential “inappropriate” content.
Japan, however, was seemingly not as offended as its neighbour, and the drink-focused app remained in the top 10 RPGs of 2011 on the Japanese version of Apple’s iTunes store.
Bar Oasis 2: Aftertaste 01 is the fourth installment in the popular series and, while the accurately simulated drink-mixing part is fun, it’s the stories of the patrons who frequent the titular bar that really shine during the visual novel portion of the game. After all, we all know that hearing the juicy stories of the men and women you serve is one of the most interesting parts of being a bartender. Now you can get the experience without having to leave the comfort of your couch and, most importantly, you can just close the app whenever you’ve had enough of a customer’s chatter.
As well as the engaging mixture of different kinds of gameplay, the high-quality art and soundtrack have also contributed to the positive response to the games, and the K-pop inspired soundtracks have been made available ahead of the release with a range of smooth tunes from composer Goomin “Nauts” Nam.
In short, all signs point to this being one of the rare iOS games out there that’s actually worth the money, and you could do worse than to giving it a shot. You can check out the Bar Oasis series on your country’s iTunes store, and visit their official Facebook page here. We’ve also got some lush artwork from the game to share with you, so go ahead and whet your appetite for this mature cocktail-themed experience on the images below.
Top image: YouTube/TouchGameplay
Other images courtesy of Corners Studio Ultramarine
Nintendo is coming to iPhones with Super Mario Run for iOS devices
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Visiting Japan’s muscular mascot character dog at his free museum near Kansai International Airport
Best burger in Tokyo? JB’s serves up a cheap craft burger that not a lot of people know about
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Body of missing foreign tourist in Japan found floating off coast of town he was last seen in
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Google’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】