Brewing trouble one cup at a time
By Paul Hunter
Starting a new job is stressful enough, but finding yourself brewing magical drinks for some of Disney’s most famous villains? That’s a whole different kind of shift. In Disney Villains Cursed Café, you take on the role of an unexpected “potionista” inside a once-crumbling café that suddenly transforms into something far more mysterious. What begins as a dusty dive quickly turns into a secretive potion bar, with you behind the counter and a handful of infamous Disney villains as your regulars.
Developed by Bloom Digital Media and published by Disney Games, this visual novel takes a light-hearted approach to storytelling. You serve potions to a rotating cast including Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and others—each one reimagined with modern ambitions. Whether it’s helping Gaston impress his golf buddies or watching Ursula dream of becoming a reality TV star, there’s plenty of mischief wrapped in magical drink orders.
The potion-brewing system plays a background role to the text-heavy interactions, with a relaxed pace designed for cozy, casual sessions. While you’re technically managing ingredients and recipes, the real draw lies in uncovering each villain’s new goal and deciding how much you’ll actually help them. With each decision comes the potential for branching outcomes and multiple endings, depending on how you respond to their demands.
Don’t expect high-stakes conflict or fast-paced mechanics here. Instead, the game invites you to enjoy a slower, more humorous ride through a magical setting. You’re not just making potions—you’re shaping the fates of fairy tale baddies in an unusual little café tucked away from the modern world.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Disney villains stopped plotting world domination and started chasing clout or community theatre dreams instead? That's exactly what Disney Villains Cursed Café offers—let's take a closer look!
You’re not just serving drinks—you’re listening to the most dramatic self-help sessions Disney’s villain roster has ever had. Each day at the café brings another personal crisis from a familiar face with a new twist.
Instead of plotting against princesses, the villains show up chasing modern goals. Ursula wants a TV deal. Maleficent’s eyeing social media fame. Captain Hook? He’s got a theatre gig and a flair for the dramatic. You get to peel back these oddly relatable layers as they order potions to fuel their next move.
The game’s setup is simple to get into. You arrive for a new job and suddenly find yourself running a potion café with Yzma acting as your snarky supply manager. From there, you begin meeting customers who don’t realise what they actually need until your concoctions force a little clarity.
The writing leans into comedy, but it also gives you room to make choices. While the tone stays light, every interaction slowly reveals more about what drives each villain. You’re nudging them along with magical drinks—sometimes giving them what they want, other times what they really need.
Most storylines unfold one conversation at a time, broken up by potion-making moments and visits from Yzma. She offers commentary, ingredient upgrades, and the occasional chaotic interruption. These moments help break up the dialogue without shifting the game’s pace too far.
You don’t just learn about the villains—you also start uncovering the mystery behind the café itself. The more potions you serve, the more questions pop up. Where did this café come from? Why are these villains here? What’s actually going on behind the scenes?
Your choices affect how each character’s story ends. Some might leave satisfied. Others might storm out in dramatic villain fashion. Either way, it’s your potions and your responses steering the narrative.
Have you ever wanted to tell Gaston that golf isn't a personality? Here’s your chance.
At its core, this is a visual novel with a charming twist—you don’t just talk, you brew. Between conversations, you’re crafting magical drinks tailored to each villain’s request, goal, or chaotic plan.
Each day, a new villain walks through the café door. You chat, learn what they want, then head to the potion station to whip up a drink using a mix of ingredients provided by Yzma. Some days they ask for something clear-cut—confidence, luck, charm. Others are more layered, giving you a little freedom in how you respond.
The potion-making mechanic is simple to learn. You’re handed a brewing machine, a menu of ingredients, and some guidance. Choosing the right mix becomes the heart of the experience. If you’re like me, you’ll sometimes try to steer the story your way—like slipping a charm root into Gaston’s drink, hoping he’d stop talking about his golf buddies.
You’ll unlock stronger ingredients over time, letting you mix up more potent potions. The game doesn’t rush you. You can take your time experimenting, replaying scenes, and seeing what happens if you make a different drink or say something else.
There’s a clear rhythm to each interaction: talk, brew, wait for the outcome. Then repeat. But because each villain has such a different personality and dream, these loops never feel dull. One moment, you’re helping the Evil Queen write an online beauty review. The next, you’re mixing a brew that may or may not help Jafar get past airport security.
The choices you make shape each villain’s ending. Some results are funny, others surprisingly sincere. But the tone always stays light, even when decisions feel like they could go sideways.
There’s no combat, no timers, and no stress—just decisions, potion recipes, and colourful dialogue. It’s the kind of game you settle into with a warm drink of your own.
When it comes to presentation, Disney Villains Cursed Café does more than just serve up potions—it delivers a visual feast that captures the playful, magical essence of the Disney villains. The 2D art style combines the whimsical charm of classic Disney animation with modern, stylized touches that make everything feel fresh.
The backgrounds are rich with personality, transforming from the rundown café to a sparkling potion bar. Each villain is reimagined in a contemporary setting that fits their personality—Jafar struts in with his sleek, villainous attire, while Cruella de Vil brings her high-fashion chaos into the mix. The environments are cozy, with a slightly mysterious vibe, fitting for a café where secrets are spilled with every drink.
The character designs shine, too. While the art style embraces the Disney flair, it gives each villain a unique twist. Maleficent’s horned silhouette and Ursula’s undersea elegance feel modernized, yet true to their original looks. The transitions of their movements between scenes and character animations feels quite smooth.
As for the audio, it complements the game's lighthearted nature with a whimsical soundtrack that keeps things lively without overwhelming the player. The music fits the theme, underscoring moments of both mischief and whimsy. It would have been nice to see the Disney villains fully voiced, but at least we do get to hear some of their signature laughs and expressions.
Overall, the game is visually appealing with its charming design and vibrant colours. It’s a perfect balance between old and new, blending Disney’s iconic aesthetic with a playful, modern edge.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: Bloom Digital Media
Publisher: Disney Games
Genre: Visual Novel
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Starting a new job is stressful enough, but finding yourself brewing magical drinks for some of Disney’s most famous villains? That’s a whole different kind of shift. In Disney Villains Cursed Café, you take on the role of an unexpected “potionista” inside a once-crumbling café that suddenly transforms into something far more mysterious. What begins as a dusty dive quickly turns into a secretive potion bar, with you behind the counter and a handful of infamous Disney villains as your regulars.
Developed by Bloom Digital Media and published by Disney Games, this visual novel takes a light-hearted approach to storytelling. You serve potions to a rotating cast including Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and others—each one reimagined with modern ambitions. Whether it’s helping Gaston impress his golf buddies or watching Ursula dream of becoming a reality TV star, there’s plenty of mischief wrapped in magical drink orders.
The potion-brewing system plays a background role to the text-heavy interactions, with a relaxed pace designed for cozy, casual sessions. While you’re technically managing ingredients and recipes, the real draw lies in uncovering each villain’s new goal and deciding how much you’ll actually help them. With each decision comes the potential for branching outcomes and multiple endings, depending on how you respond to their demands.
Don’t expect high-stakes conflict or fast-paced mechanics here. Instead, the game invites you to enjoy a slower, more humorous ride through a magical setting. You’re not just making potions—you’re shaping the fates of fairy tale baddies in an unusual little café tucked away from the modern world.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Disney villains stopped plotting world domination and started chasing clout or community theatre dreams instead? That's exactly what Disney Villains Cursed Café offers—let's take a closer look!
You’re not just serving drinks—you’re listening to the most dramatic self-help sessions Disney’s villain roster has ever had. Each day at the café brings another personal crisis from a familiar face with a new twist.
Instead of plotting against princesses, the villains show up chasing modern goals. Ursula wants a TV deal. Maleficent’s eyeing social media fame. Captain Hook? He’s got a theatre gig and a flair for the dramatic. You get to peel back these oddly relatable layers as they order potions to fuel their next move.
The game’s setup is simple to get into. You arrive for a new job and suddenly find yourself running a potion café with Yzma acting as your snarky supply manager. From there, you begin meeting customers who don’t realise what they actually need until your concoctions force a little clarity.
The writing leans into comedy, but it also gives you room to make choices. While the tone stays light, every interaction slowly reveals more about what drives each villain. You’re nudging them along with magical drinks—sometimes giving them what they want, other times what they really need.
Most storylines unfold one conversation at a time, broken up by potion-making moments and visits from Yzma. She offers commentary, ingredient upgrades, and the occasional chaotic interruption. These moments help break up the dialogue without shifting the game’s pace too far.
You don’t just learn about the villains—you also start uncovering the mystery behind the café itself. The more potions you serve, the more questions pop up. Where did this café come from? Why are these villains here? What’s actually going on behind the scenes?
Your choices affect how each character’s story ends. Some might leave satisfied. Others might storm out in dramatic villain fashion. Either way, it’s your potions and your responses steering the narrative.
Have you ever wanted to tell Gaston that golf isn't a personality? Here’s your chance.
At its core, this is a visual novel with a charming twist—you don’t just talk, you brew. Between conversations, you’re crafting magical drinks tailored to each villain’s request, goal, or chaotic plan.
Each day, a new villain walks through the café door. You chat, learn what they want, then head to the potion station to whip up a drink using a mix of ingredients provided by Yzma. Some days they ask for something clear-cut—confidence, luck, charm. Others are more layered, giving you a little freedom in how you respond.
The potion-making mechanic is simple to learn. You’re handed a brewing machine, a menu of ingredients, and some guidance. Choosing the right mix becomes the heart of the experience. If you’re like me, you’ll sometimes try to steer the story your way—like slipping a charm root into Gaston’s drink, hoping he’d stop talking about his golf buddies.
You’ll unlock stronger ingredients over time, letting you mix up more potent potions. The game doesn’t rush you. You can take your time experimenting, replaying scenes, and seeing what happens if you make a different drink or say something else.
There’s a clear rhythm to each interaction: talk, brew, wait for the outcome. Then repeat. But because each villain has such a different personality and dream, these loops never feel dull. One moment, you’re helping the Evil Queen write an online beauty review. The next, you’re mixing a brew that may or may not help Jafar get past airport security.
The choices you make shape each villain’s ending. Some results are funny, others surprisingly sincere. But the tone always stays light, even when decisions feel like they could go sideways.
There’s no combat, no timers, and no stress—just decisions, potion recipes, and colourful dialogue. It’s the kind of game you settle into with a warm drink of your own.
When it comes to presentation, Disney Villains Cursed Café does more than just serve up potions—it delivers a visual feast that captures the playful, magical essence of the Disney villains. The 2D art style combines the whimsical charm of classic Disney animation with modern, stylized touches that make everything feel fresh.
The backgrounds are rich with personality, transforming from the rundown café to a sparkling potion bar. Each villain is reimagined in a contemporary setting that fits their personality—Jafar struts in with his sleek, villainous attire, while Cruella de Vil brings her high-fashion chaos into the mix. The environments are cozy, with a slightly mysterious vibe, fitting for a café where secrets are spilled with every drink.
The character designs shine, too. While the art style embraces the Disney flair, it gives each villain a unique twist. Maleficent’s horned silhouette and Ursula’s undersea elegance feel modernized, yet true to their original looks. The transitions of their movements between scenes and character animations feels quite smooth.
As for the audio, it complements the game's lighthearted nature with a whimsical soundtrack that keeps things lively without overwhelming the player. The music fits the theme, underscoring moments of both mischief and whimsy. It would have been nice to see the Disney villains fully voiced, but at least we do get to hear some of their signature laughs and expressions.
Overall, the game is visually appealing with its charming design and vibrant colours. It’s a perfect balance between old and new, blending Disney’s iconic aesthetic with a playful, modern edge.
The Verdict
Disney Villains Cursed Café offers a fun, narrative-driven experience with a unique twist on iconic Disney villains. The simple potion-brewing mechanic serves as a backdrop for engaging interactions with characters like Jafar and Ursula. Despite its occasional pacing issues, the game is an enjoyable, casual escape for Disney fans who appreciate a light-hearted adventure. If a casual, cozy game is your thing, the game provides a refreshing, whimsical world filled with magical mischief.Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Disney Villains Cursed Cafe details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Bloom Digital Media
Publisher: Disney Games
Genre: Visual Novel
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.