Overcooked! 2 | Xbox One | Review

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Ghost Town Games are back with a second helping of culinary chaos in Overcooked! 2, the highly anticipated sequel that builds upon the fibrous foundation of the original’s excellent multiplayer-focused action.

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by Liam
​Andrews

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​​@liam_andrews5

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Developer: Ghost Town Games
Publisher: Team17
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Players: 1 - 4

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With the series’ winning formula already in place, gameplay in Overcooked! 2 has been gently folded, rather than thoroughly beaten, adding in a few new twists and recipes that help to stop a familiar experience from growing stale.

If you’ve yet to sample Overcooked!, the premise is simple; each level sees you and up to three friends working together to make and serve as many meals as possible within a given time limit, the caveat being that these aren’t your standard HACCP-approved kitchens.

Shifting work surfaces, environmental hazards and the constant danger of fire mean assembling relatively basic dishes becomes a considerable – and often hilarious – challenge.

One of the more significant changes is the new ability to throw raw ingredients, something that not only helps to keep production speeding along nicely, partially eliminating the need to dash between burners and chopping boards, but also adds an additional layer of comedy as produce ends up getting hurled to the wrong pot or pair of hands.

It’s a simple mechanic that’s allowed Ghost Town to get more creative with level design, particularly in competitive multiplayer, with ingredients and cooking utensils sometimes split across large, uncrossable chasms, making teamwork more essential than it already was. Overcooked! 2 is a game that’s first and foremost intended to be enjoyed with others. ​

Shifting work surfaces, environmental hazards and the constant danger of fire mean assembling basic dishes becomes a considerable – and often hilarious – challenge.

Something that often caused ire amongst fans of the first title was the lack of online matchmaking, and, while it was commendable to encourage people to get together for some classic couch co-op, it’s something that, for many, is not always feasible. This had the potential to reduce Overcooked! to little more than a party game that ended up being shelved once everyone had gone home.

​The inclusion of matchmaking in Overcooked! 2 is a most welcome addition then, but there is still a drawback. If you’ve got a couple of mates who own the game, then you’re all set – particularly if you’re playing the campaign, which allows a mix of local and online friends – but the seemingly small player base becomes a problem when trying to dip in and out of arcade or competitive modes for online sessions with strangers.

That said, while far from ideal, ending up on a lopsided team did lead to some spontaneous (and entertaining) acts of kindness, as ingredients were graciously chucked our way by a sympathetic opposition. Away from the generosity of strangers, there's always the extra avatar you’re given when you happen to be down a teammate, or just playing solo in general, allowing you to juggle tasks and somewhat (but not really) maintain the freneticism of co-op in your single-handed quest to maximise productivity. 

​The aforementioned campaign’s story is just as ludicrous as before, as players are once again tasked with saving the world through their cooking prowess, this time by satiating the hunger of the unbread – that’s zombie-like baked goods, in case you were wondering. The charming world map is back, and just as fun to career about in your miniature food truck - more so, in fact, thanks to some cool new vehicle animations - and hidden amongst the regular levels are bonus ones, earned through completing special challenges.

​Things start off simple as players are eased into basic recipes, such as sushi, before being introduced to harder, more complicated dishes and kitchens that require serious skill to master. There are even a few set-pieces, bringing two levels (and their respective recipes) together at one point in a dramatic balloon crash.

​Score requirements for stars have been increased, but, thanks to the new combo feature, built by sending out food in the correct order, reaching them isn’t as impossible a task as it may first seem. Even if you haven’t collected enough stars to unlock the next level, going back and mastering previous missions is all part of the fun.

Essentially, Overcooked! 2 is a more refined version of an already enjoyable product. Snappier menus, improved visuals and an all-round sleeker design help to give the game a premium feel that was absent from the original, and the much requested addition of online matchmaking will help breathe new life and longevity into the series for many people.

Pros​

• Even when it’s going badly, it’s still a lot of fun
• Throwing mechanic adds a new dynamic to the kitchen
• Feels more premium than its predecessor
• Online matchmaking
• Lots of different chefs to choose from

Cons

• Can be difficult to find a full lobby, leading to lopsided competitive matches
• Soloists won't experience the game at its best
  

9/10