Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
- October 14, 2020
- chubigans
- 45h 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
- The game features an exhilarating soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
- The food truck mechanics add a fresh twist to the series, allowing for strategic menu planning and preparation.
- The game offers a customizable difficulty system, enabling players to choose their own menu and adjust the challenge level.
- The game can feel overly stressful and chaotic, especially for new players unfamiliar with the mechanics.
- Some players find the voice acting and character interactions to be annoying or unnecessary.
- The requirement for perfection in order to achieve gold medals can lead to frustration and repetitive gameplay.
- gameplay348 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3" has been described as a refined and streamlined evolution of its predecessors, combining familiar mechanics with new features like food truck dynamics and holding stations. While many players appreciate the fast-paced, challenging nature and the variety of recipes, some note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, particularly in the mid-game. Overall, the game successfully balances addictive gameplay with strategic elements, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and series veterans.
“I don't want to give too many of the gameplay surprises away here, but the game somewhat takes the best parts of both 1 and 2 and puts them together, while introducing new things to keep the pace of the game interesting and throw different, non-grindy challenges at you, while still giving you freedom in figuring out how you personally want to tackle them.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced, fun, exciting, and stressful.”
“CSD3 combines all the charm of CSD1 with the improved artwork and new features of CSD2, while also continuing to expand on the gameplay.”
“The gameplay is extremely annoying and lame, due to its repetitiveness.”
“This third game is nothing more than the worst kind of rote gameplay.”
“Gameplay is inferior to the last one, and the in-game decoration supports controversial radical violent political groups.”
- music262 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, upbeat nature and its ability to enhance the overall gameplay experience. Composed by Jonathan Geer, the soundtrack is described as diverse, engaging, and even addictive, often leaving players humming the tunes long after playing. While some found the music repetitive over extended sessions, the majority agree that it significantly elevates the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
“The soundtrack is upbeat and in time with in-game situations.”
“The music is fitting, the art is great, the mood is great, the gameplay is fun and compelling, and you feel like you are really progressing as you play.”
“The soundtrack is the best in the series so far and is incredibly enjoyable to listen to.”
“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.”
“The soundtrack is just remixes of the older games’ songs with male scat vocals interspersed.”
“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.”
- story231 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story in "Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3" has received praise for its engaging and humorous narrative, featuring a post-apocalyptic setting where players operate a food truck alongside quirky robot companions. Many reviewers appreciate the addition of voice acting and cutscenes that enhance the storytelling experience, although some note that the gameplay can feel repetitive and grindy at times. Overall, the game successfully combines a fun storyline with the series' signature fast-paced cooking mechanics, making it a more immersive experience than its predecessors.
“The story and dialogue are charmingly funny, and the art of the food looks... delicious!”
“The story is interesting and funny at times.”
“The story so far embraces how wonderfully weird the franchise is and takes it to a whole new level.”
“The new story is a welcome addition, even if its execution is a bit meandering and aimless.”
“While the mechanics from csd2 were improved from the first game, I was disappointed that there wasn't much in terms of a story.”
“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.”
- graphics88 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant and mouth-watering food visuals that enhance the overall aesthetic. While some players appreciate the unique art style and improvements over previous installments, others criticize the simplistic 2D graphics and lack of substantial visual upgrades, likening them to low-effort mobile games. Overall, the game's charming visuals and smooth performance contribute positively to the experience, despite some reservations about the graphical depth.
“The graphics are spectacular and the objectives get harder, so the game presents a constant challenge.”
“The food artwork is gorgeous, and I feel hungry every time I play this game.”
“The visuals are stunning, and the game runs super smoothly even on a less powerful laptop.”
“While there are options to change the resolution for the game, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the game, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality.”
“Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the lackluster 2D visuals.”
“Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
- humor61 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the clever and funny writing, particularly in the food descriptions and character dialogues. The banter between the robot companions adds charm and hilarity, while the overall absurdity of the gameplay and scenarios contributes to a lighthearted experience. Many reviewers appreciate the blend of humor with challenging gameplay, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“The writing is fun and funny (Cleaver and Whisk are delightful and I love their banter), recipes are interesting and challenging, and the 'impatient customers' and 'angry customers' mechanic introduced partway through is daunting but a fun hurdle to overcome.”
“The food descriptions are hilarious as well.”
“The voice acting of Vana and Negaoryx as Cleaver and Whisk add so much charm to the game, as do the hilarious descriptions for each menu item.”
- optimization14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance across various systems, free from crashes, stuttering, or lag. While the visuals and audio are described as flawless, some players feel that the linear progression and certain gameplay elements detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite minor criticisms, the game is considered well-optimized and accessible, even allowing for a relaxed play mode.
“Well-optimized, this game shouldn't have any issues on any system.”
“Runs great, no crashing, no stuttering, no lagging; the art style is enjoyable, just a super solid game.”
“The video and audio stream, controls, and performance are flawless for my friend across the city who I cannot visit under quarantine.”
“Loved the first one, hung for a bit with the second, but this one is so optimized that it's just not fun anymore.”
“Really not enjoying the performance of cleaver and whisk and I do not think they will grow on me.”
“Routes open in a more linear progression, most just require you to complete a certain amount of preceding routes, some require better than average performance.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with an extensive selection of dishes and customizable restaurant options that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the scaling difficulty and the ability to create challenging menus, ensuring that even after completing the campaign, there are still numerous ways to engage with the game. Overall, it is recognized as a highly replayable title, offering both fun and challenge.
“The game has a possible infinite replayability, being able to choose from so many dishes in various difficulties.”
“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 images 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!”
“In all seriousness, this game has a lot of replay value.”
“But while the levels are short, there's pretty much endless replay value with the food items.”
“CSD 2 was a massive improvement from CSD 1 with higher replayability, wider selection of food, and the ability to customize your restaurant.”
- grinding13 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be tedious and frustrating, especially at higher levels or when aiming for gold medals, many appreciate the balance of new challenges and the option to progress at their own pace. The game offers a rewarding experience for completionists, but the grind can become overwhelming, particularly towards the end. Overall, it retains some grindy elements from previous installments while introducing improvements to keep gameplay engaging.
“It's not all that grindy, but it will still take you a while to master.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“With csd 1, you never needed to go out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, so it was just grinding out the same foods until you got really good at it.”
“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.”
“Getting gold medals was a tedious affair, and it was incredibly unforgiving.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is a mix of contrasting elements, with some players noting a shift to a more serious tone marked by a depressive soundtrack and passive-aggressive robots, while others appreciate the vibrant visuals and upbeat music that create a fun and inviting environment. The food truck setting adds a unique dynamic, allowing for a balance of stress and enjoyment, and the ability to customize the restaurant's atmosphere enhances the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully blends wacky and fun elements with moments of challenge, making for a varied atmospheric experience.
“The presentation is a real highlight, with colorful visuals, especially the photographed foods and upbeat music from series composer Jonathan Geer that create a fun, inviting, and stressful atmosphere.”
“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 preparations.”
“The music is catchy and lends the perfect atmosphere to your travels.”
“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 while juggling the holding station food and only prepping the main dishes between stops.”
“While keeping the atmosphere of the last two games, 'Cook, Serve, Delicious!' fails to capture the same engaging experience.”
- stability5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates exceptional stability, with users reporting no crashes, stuttering, or lagging, even in early access. The overall experience is smooth and robust, with effective couch co-op design that enhances gameplay without interference. Reviewers have noted a lack of bugs and glitches, contributing to a solid gaming experience.
“Runs great, no crashing, no stuttering, no lagging; the art style is enjoyable. Just a super solid game.”
“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.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be surprisingly impactful, with heartfelt voice acting and a wholesome storyline that evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia. The characters, despite their flaws, are endearing and contribute to a touching narrative that enhances the overall experience, making it more than just a cooking game.
“The encouraging and wholesome words from Whisk's voice actor did make me blush at times.”
“Makes me want to cry.”
“What touched me more about this game than anything else is that it's surprisingly emotional and heartwarming for a game about cooking food really fast.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that Gamemaker Studio is often associated with low-quality, monetization-driven games, commonly referred to as "shovelware." However, players find more satisfaction in the gameplay mechanics, such as clearing prep stations, than in the typical mobile lootbox microtransactions.
“The dopamine hit from clearing all my prep stations at once is better than mobile loot box microtransactions.”
“Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”
“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%