Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
- October 14, 2020
- chubigans
- 40h median play time
Delicious doesn’t even begin to describe all of these amazing foods.
"Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!" is a frantic and fun restaurant management simulator where you run your own food truck. Upgrade your truck, create unique dishes, and battle against other food trucks in a variety of locations. With a massive amount of customization and replayability, this game will keep you coming back for more delicious action.
Reviews
- Great gameplay that combines the best elements of the previous games while introducing new mechanics.
- The food graphics are stunning and the soundtrack is fantastic, enhancing the overall experience.
- The ability to customize your menu for each level allows players to control the difficulty and adds strategic depth.
- The difficulty can ramp up too quickly, making it frustrating for casual players.
- Some players miss the chores and emails from previous games, feeling that the new format lacks depth.
- The voice acting and character interactions can be annoying at times, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
- gameplay474 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3" is a blend of fast-paced, challenging mechanics that build on the strengths of its predecessors while introducing new features like holding stations and a food truck format. Players appreciate the strategic depth and variety of recipes, although some find the gameplay repetitive and difficult for casual players. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive loop, improved mechanics, and engaging art and music, making it a standout entry in the series.
“I really like the fast-paced gameplay they've implemented here; it definitely feels rewarding once you've started remembering the recipes.”
“The gameplay has an amazing rhythm that's quite different from the first two games, but still similar enough for you to recognize the elements that made you love this series.”
“Csd3 just oozes charm while combining the best gameplay elements of its predecessors.”
“This third game is nothing more than the worst kind of rote gameplay.”
“Unfortunately, there is no real feeling of progress by upgrading the restaurant, finding new recipes, etc. You can buy cosmetics though which adds nothing to gameplay.”
“This game struggles massively in its gameplay loop for beginners.”
- music442 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its catchiness, diversity, and ability to enhance the overall experience. Composed by Jonathan Geer, the soundtrack is described as a standout feature, often compared favorably to previous entries in the series and even to iconic soundtracks from other games. While some players found the music repetitive over long play sessions, the majority agree that it adds a delightful and uplifting atmosphere to the gameplay.
“The music for the game is also so banger, the songs played during the game lessen its difficulty because of how charming and catchy they are.”
“The soundtrack is the pinnacle of soothing in addition to being just flat-out well-written, on par with Final Fantasy OSTs (if not better, sorry Nobuo).”
“The music is phenomenal, the gameplay alone and co-op is addictive, and they pretty much improved on everything from the second game.”
“Add to that a depressive soundtrack and passive-aggressive robots 'helping' you and it's far and away from the silly and lighthearted atmosphere of the first game.”
“I would say that the music is very annoying and not good at all.”
“My main gripes are with the new and extremely annoying side characters (really wish there was an option to not include them or for them to be muted), the terrible and distracting music (that song about walking downtown makes me cringe), and the new story/gameplay (including an unnecessarily complex reward system) which I find unrealistic and aimless, like being stuck in limbo.”
- story314 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in "Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!" is generally well-received, featuring a more engaging narrative compared to its predecessors, with a mix of humor and heartwarming moments. Players appreciate the addition of voice acting and character development, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive and the quest for gold medals can be frustrating. Overall, the game successfully combines a fun storyline with the familiar cooking mechanics, making it a compelling experience for both new and returning players.
“I also love the storyline of this one how it's a bit more in your face than previous games which told the story entirely through email and background stuff.”
“Csd 3 is the story of that building getting hit by a missile strike, and you operating a food truck across what remains of the country whilst being shot at by other food trucks belonging to all those competitors from before because they all had the same idea.”
“The story and how it portrays and develops the characters is lovely.”
“There is no actual story, but the food descriptions do have some (funny) worldbuilding, if that's what you want.”
“As for 'bad story'... the games all feel similar where it's just the backstory provided and every day is the same.”
“I appreciate that the dev tried to give the game a bit of a story here and shake up the gameplay, but I don't think it's executed very well.”
- graphics110 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers noting significant improvements over previous installments. The visuals, particularly the food artwork, are described as stunning and mouthwatering, contributing to an overall delightful aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the smooth performance and vibrant art style, which effectively captures the charm and excitement of the cooking theme.
“The graphics are spectacular and the objectives get harder so the game presents a constant challenge.”
“The graphics and art are amazing, the music is super catchy and kinda addictive, and the two robots you hang out and cook with are hilarious.”
“The food artwork is gorgeous and I feel hungry every time I play this game.”
“Graphics, sound, and atmosphere are there, but it's just not fun to spaz your way through a blizzard of orders and juggle the holding station food while only prepping the main dishes between stops.”
“The visuals are simplistic, but certainly a step up from the earlier entries in the series.”
“I do understand it's an art style... it would just be nice to see some cute smiling ones too.”
- humor82 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the hilarious food descriptions, engaging character banter, and the comedic voice acting of the robot companions, Cleaver and Whisk. Many reviews note that the writing is both clever and entertaining, contributing to a fun and often overwhelming gameplay experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its cooking theme, making it a delightful experience for players.
“I love the characters (Whisk is my favorite); they have their own unique personalities and their banter is funny.”
“The graphics and art are amazing, the music is super catchy and kinda addictive, and the two robots you hang out and cook with are hilarious.”
“The writing is once again spectacular and hilarious, and although I was skeptical at first about the robots being in the game when I first watched the announcement trailer, after playing the game I now love their personalities and words of encouragement during each level.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, offering an extensive selection of dishes and customizable restaurant options that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the improved mechanics and scaling difficulty, which keep the gameplay challenging and engaging even after completing the main campaign. With around 115 missions and the ability to create custom challenges, the replay value is considered nearly infinite.
“The game does a phenomenal job scaling difficulty so you are challenged more and more through the course of the campaign, and there's an amazing amount of replayability here - even if you beat all the game's challenges (which took me about 75 hours) you can still challenge yourself more by creating even more difficult menus than the levels call for.”
“A fast-paced typing game with mouth-watering JPGs of delicious food from across the globe, CSD3 is an incredibly ambitious and super enjoyable game which takes a strong and massively replayable formula and gives it even more flavor and spice!”
“Easy to learn, yet hard to master - the replay value is off the charts with this one.”
“But while the levels are short, there's pretty much endless replay value with the food items.”
“In all seriousness, this game has a lot of replay value.”
“Csd 2 was a massive improvement from csd 1 with higher replayability, wider selection of food, and the ability to customize your restaurant.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be rewarding, it often becomes tedious, especially after reaching level 40 where progression slows significantly. Completionists report that achieving gold medals and mastering levels can be particularly grindy and frustrating, requiring repeated attempts and restarts. Overall, while some players appreciate the challenge, many express a desire for a less grind-heavy experience.
“It's not all that grindy but it will still take you a while to master.”
“And once you hit level 40, it gets massively slow to level up, and you will find yourself grinding to levels you beat already to get certain upgrades that may make it slightly easier until the game just says you can't have anymore for this state or road.”
“As a completionist who got gold on every achievement, it can be very grindy doing all the levels, and frustrating when you mess up a single order and have to restart.”
“Getting gold medals was a tedious affair, and it was incredibly unforgiving.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game varies significantly, with some players noting a shift from the lighthearted tone of previous installments to a more somber and chaotic experience, highlighted by a depressive soundtrack and passive-aggressive robots. However, others appreciate the wacky and fun elements, such as catchy music and the ability to customize restaurant decor, which contribute to an engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a blend of contrasting elements that can either enhance or detract from the enjoyment of the game, depending on player preferences.
“Even just in early access, the progression is there, the options on how to approach each day from a variety of menu options is there (allowing you to make the day as difficult or easy as you like), the gameplay has good flow as you travel between stops, the music is stellar and the atmosphere is wacky and fun.”
“The music is catchy and lends the perfect atmosphere to your travels.”
“Plus, the feel of operating a food truck gives it a different atmosphere than the previous games and I love the option of having a helper serve the customers while you're busy with other food preps.”
“Add to that a depressive soundtrack and passive-aggressive robots 'helping' you, and it's far removed from the silly and lighthearted atmosphere of the first game.”
“Graphics, sound, and atmosphere are present, but it's just not fun to navigate through a blizzard of orders and juggle the holding station food while only prepping the main dishes between stops.”
“The feel of operating a food truck creates a different atmosphere than the previous games, but it detracts from the overall experience.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and stunning visuals, particularly at 1440p, with no reported lags or issues. However, some players express dissatisfaction with specific gameplay mechanics, such as the performance of certain tools and the harshness of AI companion feedback. Despite these critiques, the general consensus highlights a well-optimized experience.
“The game runs smoothly, the food visuals are gorgeous (don't play this on an empty stomach, you will regret it xd).”
“The video and audio stream, controls, and performance are flawless for my friend across the city who I cannot visit under quarantine.”
“[performance] 10/10; flawless; no lags or problems @ 1440p.”
“Really not enjoying the performance of cleaver and whisk, and I do not think they will grow on me.”
“Also, the dialogue you get from your two AI companions for messing up even one order is needlessly harsh (including comments that one of the AI has no taste buds when they call your performance 'kind of delicious').”
“Game optimization is in process.”
- stability4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates impressive stability for an early access title, with users reporting minimal bugs and a robust performance. Overall, feedback indicates a smooth experience with little to critique in terms of stability.
“Even the early access is very good, not buggy or anything; I almost have nothing to give as feedback.”
“It seems very robust and bug-free for a game in early access.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Csd3 is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a funny and heartwarming storyline that enhances the overall experience, alongside improved gameplay elements like prep options and food truck upgrades.
“Csd3 improves on the franchise with enhanced prep options, food truck upgrades, and a funny and heartwarming storyline.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a preference for the satisfaction derived from gameplay mechanics, such as clearing prep stations, over mobile lootbox microtransactions, indicating a desire for rewarding gameplay experiences rather than reliance on monetization strategies.
“The dopamine hit from clearing all my prep stations at once is better than mobile lootbox microtransactions.”
Critic Reviews
Cook, Serve, Delicious 3?! review
Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! is as stressful and satisfying as searing the perfect sirloin.
74%Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! (Nintendo Switch)
As a
75%Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! Review - A Fast Food Management Delight That Occasionally Grates
While CSD3 retains the frenetic pace of its predecessor, there aren't enough new additions to make this an essential update. The huge library of recipes is mightily impressive and the presentation is as good as ever, so if you can handle the crushing difficulty, give your flabby fingers a work out in the back of this mobile food van.
70%