Overcooked is 2016 couch co-op cooking game that sees one to four players work together to prepare and serve meals to protect their land.
Cooperative games have taken the gaming world by storm, the internet joining gamers from all corners of the Earth. So what makes Overcooked unique is its local co-op mode … couch play. Overcooked is all about sitting together and having some crazy hectic fun, just like the old days. Friends, family and couples, maybe even kids can sit down and figure it out as the controls aren’t hard to pick up. It usually consists of picking up and dropping an item, chopping, cooking and putting together the prepared items to deliver the plate. There are usually a few variations, for example, soup objectives can have tomato, onion or mushroom options. It’s about being quick and figuring out how to delegate and communicate to work out a system that works so that no one gets confused, although frantic confusion is the part of the game.
It’s hard to find fault in Overcooked primarily because it’s an incredibly fun-to-play experience. especially with friends and because so, the random ‘arguments’ and discussions that spark from these cooking missions. What makes this game sizzle? For one, it’s just darned cute and the story itself is great fantasy. The characters from the start screen to the later ones unlocked, are these adorable chubby humans and animals you can’t help but want to watch. The levels themselves are wildly diverse from kitchens in bustling streets to ships and even outer space. The shifting layouts are always a wildcard and keeps things interesting, giving depth to each of the challenges by being increasingly difficult. There are different recipes to learn: soups, burgers, pizza, etc. Add all these elements (ingredients?) together and Overcooked is a party game gem. Not to mention the different modes work for different types of gamers. The main adventure/story mode is an outrageous one with cooking missions to accomplish and talking to the Onion King to eventually lead us to battling a boss that is a monstrous edible spaghetti and meatballs. The coop mode is a great way to hang out with friends but there is also the competitive mode if that is more your wheelhouse. While this game is best played with pals, it can also be a solo experience.
The creativity in Overcooked is off the charts. It’s what gives it its charm and ultimately, what makes it so entertaining. Onion Kingdom is a wondrous face that takes us to all kinds of different landscapes. There are also DLCs available to add-on with holiday editions like Festive Seasoning and another called The Lost Morsel which brings on more recipes. Teamwork and turmoil is what makes this game so much fun. The communication and freakouts all come with this fun package. Go on! Grab whatever chef character you want and a friend or two, strap on some virtual aprons and cook away! Just make sure to not overcook and burn down the kitchen.