Overcooked is an arcade-style simulation game developed by Ghost Town Games and published by Team17. Since its 2016 release, this cooking game has made a name for itself in the casual gaming world. Primarily designed for local cooperative play, Overcooked is available on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game’s success led to a sequel and a remastered bundle. In the game, players are in a fast-paced, chaotic kitchen environment where they control chefs tasked with preparing and serving meals under time limits. Let’s take a closer look at what kind of game it is and what can we offer in terms of cheats, tips, and tricks.
Overcooked Premise
In Overcooked, players step into the shoes of chefs working in various, often awkwardly designed kitchens. The core gameplay revolves around preparing a range of dishes by gathering ingredients, cooking them, serving the finished meals, and cleaning up, all within a tight timeframe. The challenge is increased by the need to coordinate these tasks amidst changing kitchen layouts and other obstacles. Each level brings a unique kitchen design, anything from split by pedestrian crosswalks to dynamically shifting during gameplay, requiring players to constantly adapt their strategies.
The game is structured around fulfilling orders that appear in a queue. Each correctly prepared and timely-served order earns coins, with bonuses for efficiency. Additionally, incorrect or delayed orders yield no rewards and only consume precious time remaining for the challenge. The ultimate goal is to amass as many coins as possible within the time limit, with performance rated on a three-star system. Players are then able to purchase upgrades with the earned coins between levels.
Overcooked Characters
Although Overcooked doesn’t rely on character work, the game does feature player character customization that adds to the personalization throughout the game. Players can choose from these various avatars to represent themselves in the kitchen. The avatars include everything from anthropomorphic dinosaurs and raccoons to human characters. These characters do not have distinct backstories or abilities.
Here are some of the avatar choices:
- Dinosaur
- Bearded Man
- Panda
- Lady with Glasses
- Orc
- Boxhead
- Bear
- Pig
- Robot
Games in the Series
Overcooked is part of a series that combines cooking chaos with cooperative and competitive gameplay. The series began in 2016 with the release of the first title, Overcooked. After the release of the sequel with similar gameplay, a remastered bundle featuring both games was released on the latest-generation consoles.
- Overcooked (2016)
- Overcooked 2 (2018)
- Overcooked: All You Can Eat (2020)
Overcooked Cheats
While Overcooked does not include a traditional cheat system, the game is built around mastering kitchen layouts and improving teamwork and communication skills. Without cheat codes, players need to find a way to complete the tasks themselves, but fortunately, we can give a few helpful tips and tricks.
Master Time Management
One of the keys to excelling in Overcooked is effective time management. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and complexity. Start with dishes that take longer to cook or prepare and while they’re cooking, work on simpler orders. Always be mindful of the cooking timers to avoid burning dishes. When playing with a friend, a good strategy is to have one player focusing on prep work like chopping and assembling, while another manages the cooking and serving.
Communicate with Your Team
When playing in a local co-op, clear communication can make all the difference in Overcooked. Just like in a real kitchen, calling out your actions is helpful. If you are being overwhelmed in the prep station, letting the cook know can free them to help you. This coordination helps prevent kitchen chaos, such as overstocking ingredients, duplicating dishes, and ruining food.
Know Your Kitchen Layout
Each kitchen in Overcooked has a unique layout, complete with its own set of challenges. Before diving into cooking, take a moment to familiarize the kitchen’s setup. Memorize key areas since it is increasingly important in a chaotic situation that the kitchen layout is second nature. However, not everything in Overcooked can be prepared for before the level starts, so keep your eye on unexpected challenges, including moving obstacles like pedestrians and shifting platforms.
Practice and Experiment
Like any skill, becoming proficient at Overcooked takes practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies to see what works best for you and your team. Try switching roles or changing how you divide tasks to seek more efficient ways to cook. Overcooked allows players to play levels multiple times, so don’t be afraid to experiment. As cliche as it is, the truth is that practice makes perfect.
FAQ
Can you play Overcooked solo?
Yes, there’s a single-player mode where you control two chefs, either switching between them or trying to manage both simultaneously with specific controls.
Is there an online multiplayer mode in Overcooked?
Overcooked is designed primarily for local co-op play and does not include an online multiplayer feature.