Video Game Review: Overcooked

It has been a REALLY long time since I did any sort of game review. I know most of my followers are primarily interested in my herpetological posts, but the fact is I really enjoy playing video games and reviewing them here on steemit when I can (I have interests outside reptiles you know!)! Part of the reason that I haven't done such a post in a while is that I simply haven't had quite as much time to play these games; most of my time has been devoted to work and taking care of the baby, and what little is left is largely devoted to steemit. However, my wife @ellepdub and I recently stumbled upon a real gem of a game that had us hooked for weeks: Overcooked! Now that we have finally beaten the final boss, I wanted to do an official review of this really awesome game.

So let me first start out by stressing that Overcooked is not quite your run of the mill cooking game. While @ellepdub can play games like Cooking Mama all day, I just never got into that genre. Basically, these games require you to prepare dishes for customers as quickly and efficiently as possible for tips; generally, its just a race against the clock to prepare as much food as possible. Technically, the goal of Overcooked is the same, just preparing specific recipes in a given time limit...except the game adds some pretty nasty obstacles and hazards that keep you on your toes. Instead of cooking in a normal kitchen, the characters of Overcooked must prepare meals in kitchens that are incredibly challenging and unforgiving; kitchens aboard rocking ships, glaciers, volcanoes, haunted houses, split between moving trucks, and even outer space. You must prepare meals while dealing with miniature mazes, conveyor belts, earthquakes, food-stealing rats, haunted moving furniture, temporary blackouts, fireballs and a host of other complications. When all is said and done, each kitchen becomes an absolute madhouse that really challenges its players.

The plot of Overcooked is fairly simplistic, but rather entertaining none the less. As soon as the game begins, you are immediately confronted by the game's final boss, a massive pasta monster called the Ever Peckish. Demanding limitless quantities of food, the cooks spring into action preparing dish after dish as the apocalypse engulfs the surrounding kingdom in flames. As it becomes apparent that the beast cannot be sated, the Onion King sends the player(s) back in time. They must then battle their way through dozens of challenging kitchens, all the while preparing different recipes and overcoming various obstacles as they prepare for the final showdown once more.

There are so many reasons I love this game, but I'll narrow my review down to the big ones. First off, Overcooked is one of, if not the BEST cooperative game I have ever played. Developers Phil Duncan and Oli De-Vine of Ghost Town Games recognized that most games that offered multiplayer cooperation seemed to add these co-op elements as an after thought, with primary focus devoted to the single player experience. From the beginning, the developers of Overcooked knew they wanted to create a game where the cooperative nature was the focal point...and let me tell you, they NAILED it. Each level requires an unparalleled level of team work and constant communication to complete. Kitchen disruptions would add an element that required players to consistently be adapting to changing conditions. The levels are designed to emphasize the need for teamwork; for example, if you need a cutting board, you could walk all the way around the kitchen to your destination, or you could simply hand it over the shelf to your partner to save time. Two solo chefs in the kitchen are highly unlikely to reach their goal, but a united team stands a good chance of success. @ellepdub and I were constantly talking, arguing, laughing and producing all sorts of unusual noises to create a unified team and pass the challenges. That being said, the game can be played single player or PVP, though many find this mode to be incredibly challenging!

"Kitchens have always struck me as a perfect analogy for a cooperative game: an occupation where teamwork, time management, spatial awareness and shouting are all vitally important." -Duncan

Second, I love the simplicity of game play. The controls are incredibly easy; in fact, playing on PC, I think it was really only the arrow keys and two other keys that I ever used. That's it. It can be played on both a computer keyboard and a control pad, allowing players to use their preferred gaming outlet. It's fairly easy to master even for an individual who doesn't normally play games, so ANYONE can enjoy the chaos! The goals of each level are also relatively simple, leaving you to fully enjoy the challenges and atmosphere of that particular level. You don't have to spend hours mastering the tutorial to play Overcooked, you can pretty much jump right in!

Third, the atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the visuals and the soundtrack of Overcooked; it's a quirky, cartoony world of vegetable people and talking animals that just feels so lighthearted and fun. The music is addictively fun; as often as we were shouting and swearing, we were singing along with the music...even as our kitchen erupted into flames! Everything about Overcooked just seems to work so well; the chaotic fun of the game is surprisingly immersive!

Finally, the chaos! This game is so hilariously, frustratingly, perfectly chaotic! In addition to bizarre obstacles and irritating disruptions, you have to find the time to perform generic kitchen tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning trash and even just simply moving around other players as they go about their business! Unattended food can burn, setting an entire kitchen ablaze, and dirty dishes can quickly stack up if not minded by players. Without constant communication, it is incredibly easy to get in one another's way, costing valuable time! Add to that the crazy challenges and obstacles presented by each level and you can quickly find yourself completely overwhelmed in seconds! You'll laugh, you'll rage, and, like us, probably cry, but it's a heart pounding challenge that consistently keeps you on your toes!

You don't have to be a "gamer" to enjoy this one. Its lighthearted cooperative nature makes it a natural party game, and with its simplistic controls, it's fairly easy to master. Offering surprises at every stage of the game, it is a remarkable multi-player experience that is as challenging the fiftieth time through as the first! Do yourself a favor and get this game for your next party or gathering; you will love how much fun this kitchen chaos can be!

Image Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Video Links: 1, 2,

Store Page: http://store.steampowered.com/