The Boba Teashop has a clear loop: take orders, make drinks precisely, and manage a busy tea counter. Risa, a woman who quit her job to run her own shop, is played by players.
As players stay, the atmosphere changes. Once-easy interactions drag. Some characters' remarks contradict the setting. Things disappear or move without explanation. Risa appears calm, but the repetition is wearing thin. Scenes that should be mundane are distorted by the VHS filter. Horror sneaks in through background noise, off-screen movement, and seemingly random events that last seconds and disappear without explanation.
The Boba Teashop 's horror is visual and emotional. Risa's mental state and shop opening motivations are revealed in short cutscenes and background details. Newspaper clippings and dialogue suggest trauma, unresolved grief, and psychological tension. Serving drinks eases workday stress. The game mechanics are simple, but the meaning behind them becomes heavier, forcing players to continue a dangerous task.
