As far as
cooking games go, the Nintendo Wii has seen a number of genuinely fun titles.
However, many of them are designed as weekend family diversions, with cartoonish
visuals in trite “beat-the-clock” scenarios that only look like cooking.
Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked is a powerful brand license has the potential to
raise the bar on cooking games, weaving authentic techniques with realistic Wii-mote
mechanics. The question is, just how well does it stand up to the heat?
Leading this
culinary adventure are two experts straight from the Food Network, Mory Thomas
and Susie Fogelson. You might ask: “Who the hell are these people? Where’s
Nigella Lawson?” A fair question, but keep in mind, there are financial
restraints to consider when hiring talent for video games. Besides, Nigella
receives more than enough creepy letters already. Believe me, I know.
More
importantly, your hosts are thorough, well-informed, and easy to understand. As
you go about preparing each dish, they will offer helpful tidbits and feedback
on your technique. This is infinitely preferable to some obnoxious ringing bell,
or unintelligible text popping up every five seconds. Unfortunately, the popular
contrivance of “competitive cooking” winds itself within the feedback system,
mainly in the form of nitpicking criticisms from the hosts that would scarcely
have any impact in a real-world cooking scenario. Try to stay thick-skinned
however, and you’ll find the game actually does a decent job of presenting
authentic methods and recipes like a fully-functional training tool.
The Wii-mote
serves as a great instrument for simulating common exercises performed in
kitchen settings. It will function as your knife, spatula, and even pan handle.
One can easily envision an adopted or expanded version of CoBC finding its way
into culinary schools, assuming it can be passed off as a cheaper, cleaner
method of teaching certain aspects of the art. As a game, one of the biggest
challenges might be found in the patience-testing cooking processes, which can
be fast-forwarded with a simple button, but will definitely annoy casual players
who were hoping for more “game” and less “cooking.” The true kitchen hero will
be able to coordinate dishes strategically, ensuring each element is ready to
serve at the same time (without serving anything cold, of course). Once again,
this is something that may alienate casual gamers, but may impress veterans
looking for a genuine culinary challenge.
Wii titles
might not win many awards for the visual design, but CoBC at least offers
recognizable ingredients that might send stomachs growling – though I suspect
this is largely due to the well-simulated cooking process itself, making the
food seem more “real.” In terms of replayability, Cook or Be Cook leaves
something to be desired. The number of recipes is rather pathetic; it almost
seems the game’s development cycle was cut short. This is a real shame, because
the core mechanics work quite beautifully. If a sequel manages to take itself
more seriously, this game could become one truly hot potato.
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Gameplay: 7.5
A fairly
impressive set of techniques simulated with the Wii-mote make this a cooking
experience to remember. The fun is dampened mainly by a shortage of recipes.
Graphics: 6.5
Nothing that will
blow your mind, but the presentation is clean and clear.
Sound: 7.0
The hosts can be
helpful, even if they come across as a bit overly critical.
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
As a more
authentic simulation of kitchen chaos, Cook or Be Cooked isn’t for everyone.
Concept: 7.5
We’ve seen
similar titles in the past, but when the handiwork feels this real, it’s easy
for it to go unnoticed.
Multiplayer: 7.0
There are modes
approaching traditional “co-op” gameplay, but the real fun lies in waiting for
your fellow chef to screw up his task.
Overall: 7.0
Cook or Be Cooked
doesn’t quite ascend to culinary greatness, but the core elements are
surprisingly well-executed. Given more time in development, this could become a
truly impressive franchise.
