Cozy Companions: The 8 Best Patrons in Tavern Talk
Tavern Talk is a cozy visual novel game that was developed by Gentle Troll Entertainment and released earlier this summer. In this game, the player takes on the role of innkeeper running your own tavern. Picture Dungeons and Dragons, but set to calm fantasy music and from an outsider’s perspective. In a world filled with mystical creatures and adventure-seeking guests, your job is to craft magical potions for your patrons that provide them with different buffs, such as increased speed or charisma, that can aid them on the various quests they undertake (which you are also responsible for compiling and posting).
Though the actual play elements of Tavern Talk are rather light, the true highlight of the game is the incredible ensemble of characters. Each of your tavern guests brings their own energy to your humble establishment, and as time goes on the bonds built between both you and your customers AND them with one another develop into connections that will no doubt tug at your heartstrings - and possibly cause you to shed a tear by the last act.
There are a total of 17 regular patrons that you interact with, with a wide variety in age, background, and gender that makes each of them one-of-a-kind. Though they all have their merits, some characters certainly stand out above the rest in my heart. In honor of today, July 8th, being National Video Game Day, I’ve compiled my list of who I believe are the best eight tavern companions, based on my interactions with them throughout the entire game:
Warning: Light story spoilers ahead.
8: Baya (She/They)
Come on. Baya is the absolute BEST. The cute little emoticons she exudes when she speaks? I just want to hug her tight and send a ^.^ right back to her. Aside from how precious she is, her character design is amazing, and her storyline centers around the importance of friendship, so kinda hard to dislike! Plus the idea of a swamp spa like the one she runs sounds so enticing.
7: Clay (He/Him)
Who doesn’t love a super-buff himbo with a heart of gold AND a good potato soup recipe? Clay’s belief in the power of friendship is wondrous to behold, and his unfailing optimism is a pleasant counterbalance to some of his more serious companions. I would wear matching friendship bracelets with you any day, big guy.
6: Kyle (He/Him)
In a game with this many serious characters, someone needs to step up and serve as the comedic relief, and Kyle fills this role flawlessly. Picture your typical brooding vampire, then flip that image on its head and you’ll get the essence of Kyle: blissfully optimistic, woefully naive, and a tad bit forgetful. He may never understand what is going on around him, but his heart is in the right place, and that’s what matters.
5: Jade (She/Her)
The moment Jade appeared on my screen, I knew she would be one of my favorite characters. Honest, sarcastic, and accompanied by the cutest turtle ever, she’s a breath of fresh, slightly scornful air in a tavern filled with do-gooders and bright-eyed adventurers. Also, just LOOK at her character design. The definition of peak, I must say.
4: Melli (She/Her)
A ten-year-old child as a tavern regular might seem a bit odd…and it is. However, Melli quickly endeared herself to me as one of my favorite characters with her charming detective persona, and her blunt honestly about what she observes of those around her. She also is heavily involved in some of my favorite quests, and she recites several of the funniest lines of dialogue throughout the entire game. Drink all the hot chocolate you want, Melli!
3: Mysterious Rogue (He/They)
Brooding figure? Check. Mysterious past? Check. Various aliases to cover for a secret name? Check. The mysterious rogue starts off as your typical lone wolf, unwilling to engage with the people around them. However, as the game progresses he goes through the most drastic transformational growth seen so far, and as you learn more about both his background and his desires, it’s hard not to root for him every time he comes on screen. Also, I’m a sucker for a grumpy x sunshine trope, and he fills his half of the equation perfectly!
2: Grace (She/Her)
Grace’s storyline hit me the hardest by far. A half-elf favoring the human side of her lifespan, she knows that she only has a finite number of years alive remaining, and she wants to make the most of her life and legacy with the time she has left. Her caring nature is at odds only with the frustration she feels towards her overbearing older brother, but still she exudes love and light with every interaction she has with the other characters. I’ll admit, Grace’s story made me shed real tears by the end of the game, and she would most certainly my favorite character if not for…
1: Fable (They/Them)
Was there any doubt that Fable would be at the top of this list? They are the very first character that you serve at the start of the game, and their journey is likely the one filled with the most surprises. Their kindness and compassion serve them well in every encounter, and as the other half of the grumpy x sunshine trope, their interactions with the mysterious rogue develop so well that I was grinning with glee every time the two were in a scene together. Fable also has the closest, most authentic relationship with you, the innkeeper, and as such a good number of story themes pass through their interactions. Fable is the perfect reminder that the person you are today doesn’t have to be the person you remain, and with a strong heart and good friends, anything is possible.
Whether you too have finished playing through Tavern Talk, or you’re just starting out, I hope you have just as much fun getting to know these characters and others as I did!
