Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is a premium simulation game where you take charge of a small restaurant and pursue your dream of making it a well-known name in the culinary world. It builds on the original Cooking Simulator, introducing many improvements that make the gameplay smoother and more immersive. 

The main highlight of Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is the highly requested co-op mode. Now, you don’t have to run the kitchen alone. You can work with other players and split responsibilities. It makes the experience more chaotic, but that chaos brings plenty of laughs.

Double the fun, double the pressure

Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together stands out for the depth and realism it offers. It goes beyond simple step-by-step tasks, requiring you to control temperatures and plate dishes. Managing time is also important to ensure every meal is served perfectly cooked. The game expands the solo experience from the original’s single kitchen to three different kitchens, keeping you much busier and adding more variety to your cooking routine.

Besides cooking, you’ll need to manage supplies, upgrade your equipment, and improve your restaurant to keep things running smoothly. You’ll also have the freedom to create your own recipes. Experiment with ingredients and tweak flavors until you’ve crafted a dish you can proudly call your own. If you don’t want to start from scratch, there’s also the Blueprint, where you can browse familiar recipes and simply add your own twist to them.

This sequel is bigger than the first game and comes with a higher learning curve. Although there’s a tutorial, a few sections are not very easy to follow and could use some improvement. It’s also worth noting that the free-cutting mechanic from the original has been replaced with a simpler click-based control. However, some fans were disappointed, as they enjoyed that mechanic, while others appreciated the more streamlined approach.

A promising entry 

In summary, Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together successfully expands the original with more content and a chaotic but hilarious multiplayer mode. It offers more depth and variety in both cooking and management. Although some changes received mixed reactions and the tutorial needs improvement, the game still manages to be fun and satisfying. With a bit more polish, it has the potential to truly stand out.