Space Chef should have been a multiplayer affair. However, on Xbox, at least, it is single-player only, and this left a bad taste in my mouth. Regardless of how this made me feel, I got my head down and tackled this sci-fi restaurant romp. Once I got over my initial disappointment, I began to enjoy the charming looks, customisation options, and ability to expand my restaurant. However, it was a little grindy, and the combat definitely needs improving.
This Sci-Fi life-sim was developed by Blue Goo Games and published by Kwalee. It is a single-player only experience that demands quick thinking and even quicker reactions. You are a chef who must hunt ingredients and cook food at a lightning-fast speed. Keeping on top of multiple tasks is challenging, and unlocking every recipe and piece of equipment is not a walk in the park. Accordingly, you’ll need some patience and a whole lot of skill if you wish to succeed.
Space Chef tells an underdog story.
Trying to make it in business isn’t easy. This is especially true when you have a dirty trailer, no equipment, and an alien roach problem. Thankfully, people don’t know about many of these issues as they order food from your takeaway business. As things improve, you’ll expand your empire with a new and improved restaurant and all the glory that goes with it.
The plot is pretty simple, but it trickles along nicely. Although you could ignore it, I like the silly characters and the short interactions. Moreover, unlocking new bits and visiting the alien planets for resources was fun. Furthermore, combining cooking and delivery duties into one game was a great design choice.
Mini-games, puzzles, and combat.
Where Space Chef shines is its combination of different ideas. Now, this could have been overwhelming, but the developer played it safe and didn’t go insane. Instead, they made everything simple to understand. Cooking tasks are completed with an array of fun, but basic games. These won’t test you, but they add some depth, regardless.
The exploration, delivery service, and combat make up the rest of the action. I enjoyed the puzzles, and I had the odd head-scratching moment. However, I can’t say that the combat was good. It was clunky, frustrating, and just a little tedious. This makes up a core component for the game and should have been much smoother and easier to tackle.
As you execute tasks, mining, combat, exploration, farming, and so forth, you unlock new blueprints and recipes. Consequently, you’ll have to take the rough with the smooth if you wish to get the best equipment and unlock every recipe.
Space Chef looks great.
Despite my complaints, Space Chef looks great. There is a cute and charming edge to everything you see and do. Even when the aliens are grim, the art style is pleasant to look at. Furthermore, there is so much variety as you explore each planet that you can’t help but be impressed with what’s on offer.
The audio is a mixture of sci-fi and whimsy. This unusual combination works to great effect. Additionally, it adds a lighthearted edge that juxtaposes the harsh sound effects of each task.
The controls could have been better.
I don’t like poor controls. Sadly, I wasn’t impressed with the clunky and clumsy nature of many key elements. Moreover, navigation can be tough as the world is constantly shifting. This was to be expected, but it makes it tough to find your bearings and proceed.
Had Space Chef been a multiplayer or couch cooperative game, it would have been much better. I’m not sure there is enough to keep me hooked if I don’t have a partner to share it with. This was a shame, as many of the ideas are great, but they just get a little boring when you are by yourself.
Space Chef is fun but flawed.
I desperately wanted to enjoy Space Chef! The concept is fun, interesting, and a little unusual. Moreover, expanding your business, hunting resources, and the progression elements were great fun. Sadly, the positives are held back by the large array of annoying moments. Accordingly, I tentatively recommend buying it here! Can you run a top-notch restaurant? Find your ingredients, unlock your equipment, and tell no one about the alien roaches in your basement.
