Coffee Crisis
{{short description|2017 beat 'em up video game}}
{{about|the 2017 video game|the historical event|East German coffee crisis}}
{{Infobox video game
| collapsible =
| state =
| italic title =
| title = Coffee Crisis
| image = Coffee Crisis.jpg
| alt =
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| developer = Mega Cat Studios
| publisher = Mega Cat Studios
| series =
| engine =
| platforms = Genesis, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
| released = February 24, 2017
| genre = Beat 'em up
| modes =
}}
Coffee Crisis is a game for the Genesis/Mega Drive and Microsoft Windows, developed and published by Pittsburgh-based company Mega Cat Studios. The console version was released on February 24, 2017, as a physical cartridge with printed manual.{{cite news | author = Marcus Estrada | title = Coffee Crisis is the Latest Sega Genesis Game on the Block | quote = The Sega Genesis is not dead. Thanks to indie studios like Mega Cat Studios, fans can still collect and play new games for the system. | newspaper = Hardcore Gamer | date = November 5, 2016 | pages = | url = http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/11/05/coffee-crisis-is-the-latest-sega-genesis-game-on-the-block/234467/ | accessdate = August 31, 2017}}
Plot
An evil race of aliens called the Smurgliens has watched Earth for years. Through their observations, they deduce that the best humanity has to offer is its wifi, cat videos, metal music, and coffee.{{cite news | author = | title = [UPDATED] SEGA Genesis homebrew game Coffee Crisis hits Kickstarter | quote = The Smurgelians have come to take four of Earth's treasures: metal music, amazing coffee, adorable cats videos, and fast WiFi. | newspaper = SegaBits | date = November 14, 2016 | pages = | url = http://segabits.com/blog/2016/11/14/sega-genesis-homebrew-game-coffee-crisis-hits-kickstarter/ | accessdate = August 31, 2017}} Two baristas from the Black Forge Coffee House, Nick and Ashley, take it upon themselves to confront the threat after their coffee shop is invaded.{{cite news | author = | title = Introducing Coffee Crisis, a 2016 Game for the SEGA Genesis | quote = The game itself is centered around a team of baristas, Nick and Ashley, armed with nothing but their trusty sacks of Black Forge coffee beans. Our heroes face a rather ordinary world with one extraordinary looming crisis: an invasion by the alien Smurgelian race. | newspaper = ReleaseWire | date = November 10, 2016 | pages = | url = http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/introducing-coffee-crisis-a-2016-game-for-the-sega-genesis-740849.htm | accessdate = August 31, 2017}}
Gameplay
Coffee Crisis is a side-scrolling brawler,{{cite news | author = Marcin Gulik | title = New Genesis game Coffee Crisis pays homage to classic beat 'em ups | quote = A new SEGA Genesis game on Kickstarter wants to bring back the beat 'em up in a brand new 16 bit adventure. | newspaper = Sega Nerds | date = November 19, 2016 | pages = | url = http://www.seganerds.com/2016/11/19/new-genesis-game-coffee-crisis-pays-homage-to-classic-beat-em-ups/ | accessdate = August 31, 2017}} reminiscent of games like Streets of Rage or Golden Axe. Players fight a variety of aliens and possessed humans, collecting power-ups and earning points, as they progress through numerous levels. Jumping and special maneuvers are also available.
The game was designed with cooperative play in mind, and offers two-player support. Players can play as either Nick Miller or Ashley Corts from the Black Forge Coffee House.
A PC version of Coffee Crisis was released in May 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/596380/Coffee_Crisis/|title=Coffee Crisis on Steam|website=store.steampowered.com}} This version features updated graphics, a new soundtrack, and a host of extra features, such as a special difficulty mode, integration with streaming platforms, and procedurally generated modifier items that change the gameplay on each playthrough.
Development
The game started out when the owner of Mega Cat Studios met Nick and Ashley, the owners of the Black Forge Coffee House, at a fundraiser for the UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and decided to collaborate.{{cite news | author = Sean Halliday | title = Coffee Crisis is Indiescussion | quote = MCS met the Black Forge owners, Nick and Ashley at a fundraising event for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh | newspaper = Game Raven | date = November 30, 2016 | pages = | url = https://gameraven.com/indie/coffee-crisis-indiescussion | accessdate = August 31, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170516155813/https://gameraven.com/indie/coffee-crisis-indiescussion | archive-date = May 16, 2017 | url-status = dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/12/feature_homebrew_experts_mega_cat_studios_on_surviving_a_coffee_crisis_and_coming_out_stronger|title=Feature: Homebrew Experts Mega Cat Studios On Surviving A Coffee Crisis And Coming Out Stronger|date=December 22, 2017|website=Nintendo Life}} Out of a shared respect for retro gaming consoles, the owners decided that the game should be released on the Sega Genesis and Mega Drive, especially since Mega Cat Studios already had the equipment necessary to self-publish the game. Coffee Crisis runs on the Sega Genesis's and Mega Drive's original hardware.
The Black Forge Coffee House penned the story, while Mega Cat Studios did the art and programming. Pittsburgh metal band Greywalker provided music for the soundtrack.{{cite news | author = Marta Foos | title = #74 Coffee Crisis- Nick Miller and Ashley Corts | quote = ...from Greywalker who perform the music in the game. | newspaper = Marta on the Move | date = December 18, 2016 | pages = | url = http://martaonthemove.com/wp/74-coffee-crisis-nick-miller-and-ashley-corts/ | accessdate = August 31, 2017}} The game features many scenes and locations from around Pittsburgh, including PNC Park, Grandview Boulevard, and the Duquesne Incline.
Release
The Windows version of the game was released on May 4, 2018, on Steam with updated art, music, and other features, including integration with Twitch and Mixer that allows viewers of the game to interact with the player. The game passed Steam's Greenlight process in under two weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=797800554|title=Steam Greenlight :: Coffee Crisis|website=steamcommunity.com}} This version of the game was later ported to the Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.{{cite web |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/coffee-crisis-xbox-one/ |title=Coffee Crisis, a Modern Sega Genesis Game, Is Out Now on Xbox One |date=August 15, 2018 |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |first=Chris |last=Compendio}}
Mega Cat Studios released Coffee Crisis in a compilation cartridge for the Evercade, along with several other titles from the studio, including Little Medusa, Log Jammers, and Justice Duel.{{cite web |url=https://evercade.co.uk/mega-cat-studios-collection-1-cartridge/|title=Mega Cat Studios - Collection 1 Cartridge|accessdate=May 21, 2020}}
Reception
Coffee Crisis received mixed reception, being praised for its sense of humor, music and inclusion of Pittsburgh locations and music, while being criticized for lack of modern features, such as the ability to block attacks.{{cite web |url=https://selectbutton.com/reviews/coffee-crisis-review/ |title=Coffee Crisis Review - SelectButton |first=Kevin |last=Mitchell |date=August 24, 2018 |accessdate=July 2, 2020}} Critics also noted that the game's difficulty would sometimes suddenly spike, and that it wasn't always clear what was going on in game.