Plectrum Soft just dropped a short—but potent—demo for their VR bartending simulator, Project Mix. And while it might not serve a full glass just yet, this sip is enough to get anyone buzzed with excitement for the full release in late 2026.
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You step into the role of Romne, a bartender running a cozy Yokocho dive bar in the neon-lit backstreets of Tokyo. The moment the headset goes on, you’re pulled into a stylized cyberpunk world that feels like a mashup between Blade Runner and Catherine—yes, that Catherine, the Atlus cult classic. The vibe is strong. The love put into the design is clear. It’s like living inside a living, breathing anime.
But don’t expect a by-the-books bartending sim. Project Mix isn’t about obsessively memorizing drink ratios or replicating real-world mixology to the milliliter. It’s more about the experience: reading the room, talking to patrons, and choosing drinks that match their mood or story. You can free-pour your cocktails, and as long as you’re close to the recipe, the game rolls with it. Honestly, that feels more real—when’s the last time a customer complained about getting extra whiskey?
The storytelling is front and center here. Conversations flow naturally, and there’s a real sense that your choices, even as a humble bartender, have weight. The game carries the “story-rich” tag on Steam, and even from this short demo, it earns it.
VR Mechanics That Actually Feel Right
Now let’s talk gameplay. The bar space is tight and intimate—just like a real Japanese alleyway bar. You’ve got access to a mini-fridge on your left, alcohol bottles across the counter, an ice machine, garnishes, tap beer, and even a pack of smokes you can offer to guests. There’s also a little computer to check drink recipes, which is handy if your memory’s more Sauvignon fog than savant.
Mixing drinks feels tactile and satisfying. The physics are solid, and there’s a real sense of flow as you grab ingredients, shake up a cocktail, and slide it across the counter. As a bartending sim alone, this game already stands tall.
Where It Could Use a Splash More Polish
Of course, it’s still a demo, and some things could use shaking up. For starters, your in-game presence is reduced to a pair of floating hands with no finger tracking—just fists. That can break immersion a bit. A visible body or at least some finger articulation would go a long way. Let me point at things. Let me awkwardly wave. Let me spill a drink on myself. You know, the real bartender experience.
World interactivity is also limited right now. The bar, your apartment, and your manager’s place are all small but wonderfully designed. Still, it’d be great if more objects were touchable. Not being able to flick a light switch, turn on the sink, or high-five a customer (or slap one—hey, it happens!) does make things feel slightly hollow. If the devs can keep these intimate spaces but crank up the environmental interaction, Project Mix could easily be one of the most immersive VR sims out there.
Final Thoughts: A Toast to the Future
Despite a few early-demo quirks, Project Mix VR is shaping up to be something special. It’s not just about pouring drinks—it’s about connecting with people. The game nails the vibe of late-night Tokyo, infuses it with heart and a bit of stylish melancholy, and layers it with social-sim storytelling that hits like a good cocktail—sweet, strong, and a little dangerous.
If you’ve got a VR headset, grab the demo on Steam. If you believe in the vision, maybe even throw a few bucks at the Kickstarter. Because when this game finally lands in 2026, I have a feeling we’ll all be raising a glass to it.