Capturing the chaotic tension of kitchen work
RARELY do simulation games capture the ‘essence’ of whatever activity they are trying to simulate. No matter how hard a driving game tries to emulate the nuances of taking the wheel of a car, no amount of carefully-timed vibrations in your controller can capture the visceral nature of actually driving, just as no football game can capture the feeling of knowing where your teammates are without actually seeing them.
Strangely, Overcooked 2 manages to capture the pure tension and overwhelming nature of kitchen work to a very, very small but still recognizable extent. The reality of kitchen work is that it is a multitude of very simple tasks delivered in extremely quick succession, where timing and organisation trumps virtually every other desirable attribute you could hope to find in a competent cook.
Just as in the original, Overcooked 2 places you and ideally a few friends in a wacky and hilariously chaotic kitchen environment. The idea is to cook as many dishes as possible within the prescribed time limit. While this sounds like a simple premise, the execution is invariably hilarious. Overcooked 2 introduces a brand new set of kitchens, each presenting its own arsenal of ways to spoil your broth. Conveyor belts, impassable obstacles, streets with deadly passing traffic and even a hot air balloon with a constantly shifting floor are just a select few of the many wacky ways that come between you and a successful service in Overcooked 2.
While the basic and extremely successful formula in Overcooked 2 remains the same as its predecessor, one of the smaller additions turns out to be the most game-changing addition to the recipe. The ability to throw ingredients makes for a shift in gameplay mechanics that adds another layer of nuance to the game. Many of the new levels take full advantage of this new mechanic, making split kitchens make a lot more sense in a multi-player environment.
After the success of the first game, it seemed almost a foregone conclusion that Overcooked 2 will feature online play. While it certainly makes sense that this feature would be added, truly the best way to experience the game is locally, with friends. This game is heavily based on immediate and efficient communication, a virtue that the online domain does not always afford.
Overcooked 2 is a triumph of multiplayer gaming, light enough for everyone to enjoy and deep enough to reward mastering.