Cooking Simulator

Cooking Simulator is a simulation cooking game developed by Polish^[1] team Big Cheese Studio and published by PlayWay S.A. on June 6, 2019 for Microsoft Windows. The Nintendo Switch version was released on May 14, 2020, published on the system by Forever Entertainment. A mobile port is available in a few countries and worldwide release is available for pre-register by PlayWay S.A.

Gameplay[]

Cooking Simulator uses a physics engine and cooking mechanics to simulate a realistic cooking experience.^[2] In its current state, the game allows the player to prepare over 80 recipes using more than 140 ingredients. There are various game modes including Career Mode, Sandbox Mode, Cooking School, Leaderboard Challenge, Winter Holidays, and SUPERHOT Challenge. In Career Mode, the players take control over a kitchen while progressively earning fame and experience by serving dishes according to orders.^[3] A fee is automatically charged each time the ingredients are picked up from the shelf.^[4] The goal is to reach the fifth Fame Star. Sandbox Mode offers a fully equipped kitchen with no time limits.^[5] Cooking School is a series of tutorials explaining all the game mechanics. Leaderboard Challenge is a game mode in which players compete by trying to prepare a single dish according to a recipe, with each dish having its own scoreboard. Winter Holidays offers a new kitchen and allows to serve a dinner to a number of guests by preparing dishes containing requested ingredients. SUPERHOT Challenge is the newest mode added as a free update on February 25, 2020 inspired by SUPERHOT to celebrate its 4th anniversary on Steam.^[6] It modifies the appearance of products, utensils and kitchen and introduces a new mechanic that slows down the time when the player's not moving. However, some versions of the game such as the Nintendo Switch version have features removed, like removed DLC's.

Reception[]

Due to its initial flaws Cooking Simulator received mixed reviews from gaming press. It scored 64/100 on Metacritic based on 4 reviews.^[7] PC Games appreciated the game's graphics, various recipes while pointing out difficult controls, unmotivating career mode and performance issues.^[9] GameStar pointed out unlockable recipes and perks, tutorial, dish review system and a small number of ingredients, recipes and utensils as pros. The cons included difficult controls, repetitiveness, lack of difficulty levels, physics bugs and no replay value in career mode.^[8] Screen Rant 60/100^[10] review states that the game's challenging timing and controls are fun in short sessions and frustrating in the long run.

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