Cook Serve Forever

53%
Game Brain Score Based on 318 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Cook Serve Forever Game Cover
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In "Cook Serve Forever," become a food cart chef, Nori Kaga, in the solarpunk city of Helianthus, with the goal of culinary greatness. Manage your menu, learn recipes, and interact with a diverse cast in this remake from the creators of "Cook, Serve, Delicious!" This relaxing adventure offers accessible gameplay and a dramatic storyline with talented voice actors.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

53%
Audience ScoreBased on 318 reviews
gameplay44 positive mentions
grinding18 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful art, engaging music, and charming voice acting that enhance the overall experience.
  • The story is cute and has potential, with interesting characters that players can connect with.
  • The game offers a more casual and relaxed gameplay experience, making it accessible for new players who may have found previous CSD titles too challenging.
  • The gameplay has shifted to a simplistic four-button control scheme, which detracts from the complexity and enjoyment of cooking that was present in previous CSD games.
  • Many players feel that the game lacks depth and variety, as the recipes and cooking actions feel repetitive and unengaging.
  • The game does not provide a satisfying challenge, leading to a lack of motivation to progress or replay levels.
  • gameplay282 mentions

    The gameplay of "Cook Serve Forever" has undergone significant changes, shifting from the fast-paced, complex mechanics of its predecessors to a more simplified, casual experience focused on quick-time events and directional button presses. While some players appreciate the relaxed vibe and accessibility for newcomers, many criticize the gameplay as repetitive, lacking depth, and failing to engage, with concerns that it feels more like a basic flash game than a robust cooking simulator. As the game is still in early access, there is hope for future updates to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay is very different than the previous games, but I actually love that I don't have to worry about a 'perfect' shift if I get one button press wrong.”
    • “The gameplay is snappy and depending on your input speed, it can get pretty challenging.”
    • “I love how it looks, the voiceovers, the food, the music... the gameplay just isn't a Cook, Serve, Delicious game.”
    • “They straight-up changed the mechanics of the game and gave you no instruction whatsoever.”
    • “The gameplay is such a departure from its predecessors that this edition, despite its excellent storyline, feels like nothing more than a joyless grind.”
    • “The gameplay has been reduced to arrow keys - while much more accessible, just isn't the difficulty level that most of us veterans of CSD 1-3 would be used to.”
  • story208 mentions

    The story in this game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its cute and charming narrative, engaging characters, and beautiful art style. However, some critiques highlight that the plot can feel spread out and lacks depth, making it less compelling for those seeking a more linear or action-driven experience. Overall, while the story shows promise and has potential for development, it is often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics that some find repetitive or lacking.

    • “The story is great and even if the mechanics are kind of lacking right now, the devs are really reactive to user feedback and they are making changes to the gameplay as we speak.”
    • “The characters are a joy to listen to and whenever you progress in the story, it seems like the gameplay is accompanying the new dialogues, not the other way around.”
    • “I love the music, the art (this game makes me hungry with how good the food looks), the story, and I really appreciate the updates.”
    • “It is too plot heavy to be a cozy game, too bland to be a real game you sit and play, and has too much writing to be 'baby's first controller game.'”
    • “Maybe they were going for the 'interactive story with some repetitive gameplay elements' angle, but the plot is extremely boring.”
    • “The storyline also hasn't grabbed me at all; the whole game feels like a pretty, flashy disappointment.”
  • music156 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising the uplifting and engaging soundtrack composed by Jonathan Geer, which enhances the overall atmosphere and complements the visuals. However, some players feel that the music can be disruptive when it cuts off during dialogue and doesn't always mesh well with the gameplay. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, opinions vary on its integration with the game's mechanics and narrative.

    • “The artwork and the music, as always, are top notch.”
    • “The music is really chill and flowy, with great lyrics in the in-game tracks.”
    • “The story and comedy put a smile on my face, and I love the music and art style.”
    • “The music is awful.”
    • “The music can stand well on its own, but just doesn't pair well with the dialogue and gameplay.”
    • “It's also a bit disruptive whenever the music just gets cut off when an NPC says something.”
  • graphics52 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received praise for their beautiful art style and polished visuals, which enhance the overall aesthetic experience. Many reviewers noted that the artwork, music, and character design are top-notch, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere. However, some players felt that while the graphics are appealing, they do not compensate for the gameplay's lack of depth and engagement.

    • “The artwork and the music, as always, are top notch.”
    • “Art style is gorgeous, like a more polished and aesthetically pleasing version of the first three CSD games.”
    • “An excellent game - great graphics, audio, charming cast, and a more upbeat setting than CSD 2 and 3.”
    • “It just lacks the enjoyment of a cooking game... literally you could be digging holes or scooping up dog poop doing the same button mashing or any other graphics.”
    • “- I think there is a consistent graphical error when placing ingredients on some dishes.”
    • “However, except for aesthetics, the foods don't really seem to change much.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, often feeling like a chore with little to no rewards for their efforts. Many express frustration over the lack of meaningful achievements or variations in gameplay, leading to a sense of aimlessness while repetitively pressing buttons for extended periods. Overall, the grinding experience detracts from the enjoyment of the game, with players longing for more engaging content and incentives.

    • “No rewards for long perfect streaks, just four buttons to press and a lack of rewards for doing well makes grinding levels an actual chore to play.”
    • “I've really tried to get into it as I absolutely loved the other CSD games, but it just isn't fun. I find I'm having to force myself to keep playing and grinding out levels without getting a sense of entertainment or achievement for completing them.”
    • “What's the fun of just grinding if there's nothing rewarding or interesting at all?”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a strong response from players, with some expressing deep disappointment and heartbreak over unmet expectations, while others praise the touching story, lovable characters, and atmospheric elements like writing, voice acting, and music. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of heartwarming and mental-health-affirming experiences, appealing to those who appreciate its artistic and narrative qualities.

    • “The characters are lovely and the story is really touching!”
    • “The things I'm most enjoying so far, though, are the writing, the voice acting, and the music - it's all so atmospheric and really helps to create the world of the game - super wholesome and sweet!”
    • “This creative team... they set out to make a game, not for their current cult audience of manically-typing logophiles, but to share this universe with people who just enjoy relaxing with entrancingly pretty art, neat/unique recipes, a heartwarming/mental-health-affirming story, and the best video game OST I've heard in years.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the casual fun and unexpected moments, such as a glitched taco animation that elicits laughter, others feel the lack of engaging food introductions and customer variety makes the humor feel lazy and underdeveloped. Overall, the game offers moments of joy but could benefit from more creative comedic elements.

    • “I like the casualness of pushing buttons and find myself laughing with joy when I get thrown a curve ball from one of my upgrades.”
    • “The 'worst' part of this game in early access is a hilarious glitched taco animation.”
    • “The humor in the game is so well integrated that even the glitches can make you laugh.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Players have reported issues with optimization, specifically experiencing micro-stuttering every few levels, which can lead to dropped inputs. Additionally, the performance meter and its associated indicators have been noted as somewhat confusing.

    • “My only gripe with it right now is that every two levels or so you get something like micro-stuttering, and the game might even drop your input at that point.”
    • “- the little smiley character and performance meter is a bit confusing.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development is visually appealing, with well-designed characters and an engaging environment that enhances the overall experience. However, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character arcs.

  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive writing, exceptional voice acting, and enchanting music, all of which contribute to a wholesome and sweet world that players find captivating.

    • “The things I'm most enjoying so far are the writing, the voice acting, and the music - it's all so atmospheric and really helps to create the world of the game - super wholesome and sweet!”
  • stability2 mentions

    The stability of the game is criticized due to buggy keyboard controls, which hinder gameplay, and poor visibility of button directions, as they are displayed in white font on a white background.

    • “The keyboard controls are buggy and the button directions are white font on a white background.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

35hMedian play time
25hAverage play time
5-45hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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