Coffee Crisis

Coffee Crisis is a game for the Sega 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.[1]

This article is about the video game by Mega Cat Studios. For the historical event, see East German coffee crisis.
Coffee Crisis
Developer(s)Mega Cat Studios
Publisher(s)Mega Cat Studios
Platform(s)Genesis, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
ReleaseFebruary 24, 2017
Genre(s)Beat 'em up

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.[2] 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.[3]

Gameplay

Coffee Crisis is a side-scrolling brawler,[4] 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 release of Coffee Crisis is planned for release in April 2018.[5] 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.[6][7] 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.[8] The game features many scenes and locations from around Pittsburgh, including PNC Park, Grandview Boulevard, and the Duquesne Incline.

Microsoft Windows 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.[9] This version of the game was later ported to the Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Playstation 4.[10]

Evercade Release

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.[11]

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.[12] 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.

References
  1. Marcus Estrada (November 5, 2016). "Coffee Crisis is the Latest Sega Genesis Game on the Block". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved August 31, 2017. 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.
  2. "[UPDATED] SEGA Genesis homebrew game Coffee Crisis hits Kickstarter". SegaBits. November 14, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2017. The Smurgelians have come to take four of Earth’s treasures: metal music, amazing coffee, adorable cats videos, and fast WiFi
  3. "Introducing Coffee Crisis, a 2016 Game for the SEGA Genesis". ReleaseWire. November 10, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2017. 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
  4. Marcin Gulik (November 19, 2016). "New Genesis game Coffee Crisis pays homage to classic beat 'em ups". Sega Nerds. Retrieved August 31, 2017. A new SEGA Genesis game on Kickstarter wants to bring back the beat ’em up in a brand new 16 bit adventure.
  5. "Coffee Crisis on Steam". store.steampowered.com.
  6. Sean Halliday (November 30, 2016). "Coffee Crisis is Indiescussion". Game Raven. Archived from the original on May 16, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017. MCS met the Black Forge owners, Nick and Ashley at a fundraising event for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
  7. Life, Nintendo (December 22, 2017). "Feature: Homebrew Experts Mega Cat Studios On Surviving A Coffee Crisis And Coming Out Stronger". Nintendo Life.
  8. Marta Foos (December 18, 2016). "#74 Coffee Crisis- Nick Miller and Ashley Corts". Marta on the Move. Retrieved August 31, 2017. ...from Greywalker who perform the music in the game.
  9. "Steam Greenlight :: Coffee Crisis". steamcommunity.com.
  10. Compendio, Chris (August 15, 2018). "Coffee Crisis, a Modern Sega Genesis Game, Is Out Now on Xbox One". Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  11. "Mega Cat Studios - Collection 1 Cartridge". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  12. Mitchell, Kevin (August 24, 2018). "Coffee Crisis Review - SelectButton". Retrieved July 2, 2020.
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