In 2016, Team 17 and Ghost Town Games developed an indie hit. A game that got more traction than it probably ever hoped to but still less than deserved. Overcooked! filled a desperate void in arcade couch co-op gaming. In a time where everything was about hero shooters and loot crates, we were reminded of exactly what caused us to fall in love with games in the first place.

Overcooked! 2 is a familiar meal in all the best ways. But now, in a world of Battle Royales and gaming as a service, it serves us everything we loved about the first game. You still get the same frantic paced four-player co-op chaos. Communication is still key, yelling at your fellow chefs to stop chopping tomatoes and to wash some plates instead. Very little has changed from what made the core experience so much fun. But that isn’t to say that Team 17 didn’t add to or change some of its recipe.

Right off the bat, I felt that Overcooked! 2 was much less frustrating than its predecessor. Not to say that it is less chaotic, but I never felt that I was stuck on a level over and over again. You still had to locate and overcome the obstacles but once you figured out the levels rhythm, three-star ratings were common sights. This is a double edged sword. True, I was no longer trapped on a level for so long that frustration settled in. But I also no longer had the same thrill when we finally overcame those difficult stages. I was, at times, surprised when even a poor run rewarded us with a star.

Another change is the inclusion of true multi-player. You can still play Overcooked! 2’s 40 some levels solo or with up to three other players, but you can also play online. I am a person that feels this game shines when playing with others locally however it is nice to have that option. One thing to keep in mind is that Overcooked! 2 on Switch does not support voice chat. This means that emotes are the only in-game option to communicate.

Although single player is another option, I just can’t recommend it unless that is how you want to experience the game. It actually changes the fundamental experience for me. Overcooked! 2 becomes, in a way, a puzzle platformer at that point. You press R or right bumper to switch between and control two chefs. You simply figure out the pattern and maneuver the platforms. It quickly becomes about the logic of the puzzle rather than the frenzied chaos and adapting to others. On-line and single player are appreciated options, as is its VS. mode, but Team 17 un-apologetically designed this game around local co-op

Your typical game will take you from creating simple plates, like salads, to putting together more complex meals requiring many more ingredients all prepared differently. The chefs having to keep an eye on what ingredients are needed and in what order to get to the customers. What items to cook, steam, or mix and to make certain they don’t overcook any. As the game continues, you need to manage the plates and pots as well as the food. And further in, the kitchen begins to shift and move becoming more and more of an obstacle.

Overcooked! 2 is an improvement on an already outstanding dish. They took what was already fantastic about the first game and trimmed off just enough fat. The humor and the chaotic arcade action is better than ever and even though online, single player and VS will never replace local co-op, they are still very welcome options.

 

Graphics: 7.5 Impressively simplistic and arcade nostalgic.	Gameplay: 9.0 Simple arcade action that allows you to not need to overthink as the food literally flies.
Sound: 7.0 Good balance of serine and calm and then frenzied as time runs out.	Fun Factor: 9.0 Embraces and perfects on a party aspect that was already top tier.
Final Verdict: 8.5

Reviewed on Switch.
Overcooked! 2 is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch

A copy of Overcooked! 2 was provided by the publisher.