Nimble Strong: Bartender in Training review

Be nimble, be quick, be Nimble Strong! Nimble Strong: Bartender in Training is an iPhone game that touts itself as the world’s first story-driven, drink mixing video game… that also doubles as a bartending 101 course, complete with a personalized bartender’s certificate. Adam of theOtaku.com and Nimble Strong founder/game developer was kind enough to let us review Nimble Strong.

As the hero of the game Nimble Strong, you’re a newbie bartender at The Cocktalian trying to learn and make over 70 cocktail recipes in order to achieve a bartender’s certificate. Aside from memory, the biggest skill in making cocktails requires tapping control. You also need nimble fingers (hence the name of the game) in order to complete a drink within a time limit. Go over the limit and you piss off a customer, just like in real life.

Just like in real life, The Cocktailian’s patrons are their own interesting set of unique characters with their own set of stories. My personal favorite being The Conquistador who kind of reminds me of a Will Ferrell SNL character. As bartender, you deal with them through dialogue lines that you choose from. Like a CYOA game, you get to CYOC (choose your own conversation).

Another way Nimble Strong simulates a real life bar is scoring. Your score comes in the form of grades for drink accuracy and completeness. Instead of points, you get tips — the faster and accurate your drink is to the recipe, the bigger the tip. Once you finish the game, you receive a code to redeem your bartender’s certificate.

Other cool things to note is that the story and drinks have been audited by a major cocktails journalist. Meaning, what you’re learning throughout the course of the game is applicable to real life. I’ll admit, I’m only on Act III but already, I feel like I can throw myself a party. Or take on a part-time job as a bartender. Also, if you’re an anime fan, aside from the anime styled characters, you’ll be happy to know that Kyle Hebert, who plays Gohan in the classic show DragonBall Z, Kibain Naruto, and Ryu in the hit game Street Fighter 4 narrates the story!

Overall, I found this game to be highly entertaining and educational. It’s also super inspiring — go play the game and don’t tell me you don’t feel like making a cocktail after! I highly recommend Nimble Strong to anyone of legal drinking age who enjoys cocktails and doesn’t mind not forking over a few hundred dollars for a bartending class. This game will only run you $5 so you save!

If drinking isn’t your thing, Nimble Strong still makes for an interesting, addicting time management game.

For more information or to purchase the game for your iPhone, head here.