First shift

Start Day 1 without losing the room

Your first job is not to memorize every scare. It is to keep the visible cafe state readable while the shift gets busy.

Do this now

Before moving, read the current objective, then locate the order count, Cafe Reputation, Sanity and cash on the HUD. Day 1 can show a direct task such as Make Batter, so finish the instruction that is on screen before chasing side activity. If you are with friends, split service and room-check duties so one surprise does not stop every order at once.

01

Action route

Follow the shift in order

  1. 01

    Read the current objective

    Use the large task text as your next action. Complete that instruction before creating a new route for yourself.

  2. 02

    Locate the four shift signals

    Know where orders, Cafe Reputation, Sanity and cash sit before the cafe becomes noisy.

  3. 03

    Open with simple roles

    Put one player on the active service task and another on cafe awareness. Solo players should alternate instead of trying both at once.

  4. 04

    Use CCTV only with a reason

    The cafe includes a CCTV workstation. Check it when the objective or a visible change points you there, then return to the active task.

02

Decision table

Read the signal, then act

What you seeWhat to doWhy
A clear objective is on screenDo that task firstIt keeps the team aligned with the current shift state.
Orders rise while the room feels normalStay on serviceAbandoning the counter creates a second problem without solving the first.
Something in the cafe changes unexpectedlyPause, call it out, then check togetherA shared observation is safer than four players guessing separately.
03

Recovery

Replace these mistakes

Running before reading

Replacement: stop for five seconds and name the objective and HUD positions.

Everyone doing the same job

Replacement: assign one service lead and one observer, even if roles swap later.

Treating cash as the only goal

Replacement: watch Sanity and cafe state while service continues.

04

Quick answers

FAQ

What should I do first in Anomaly Cafe?

Read the current objective, find the order, reputation, Sanity and cash displays, then complete the on-screen task.

Is Anomaly Cafe easier with friends?

The game supports teaming up. Splitting service and observation duties makes the room easier to read, but solo players can alternate those jobs.