Welcome to Bakuso! Let me take your order… and not eff it up. What I immediately like about KuloNiku: Bowl up! is the ability to tone down the Overcooked vibe. Granted, that’s probably why a game like this would appeal to you – the fast multi-tasking and every ticking clock and disgruntled punters, or perhaps an expletive chef calling you all the names under the sun? For starters, I don’t want that. Simple is good, and besides, I’m the boss.
Yes, I am in charge of this establishment – a noodle bar that isn’t exclusively ramen, and more inclined to pull the crowds in with meatballs. Alright, so that’s not all there is to this management game, but in this game from Gambir Studio, you’re essentially going to be making up various dishes predominantly with meatballs and broth, and working out creative ways to develop the flavours through seasoning and combinations.
KuloNiku: Bowl up! has already made it clear that it isn’t an Overcooked clone as there’s a story here, too, and the characters are quite endearing through their visual novel-like segments. Everyone, well, almost everyone, is friendly and wants to show you around town and hang out. These aren’t just filler moments, and aside from your actual day job, you soon take part in competitions that are broadcast, where instead of fulfilling customer orders, you’re appealing to the taste buds of critics.
During the majority of the days, I was serving quirky customers coming into my gaff asking for the latest trending dish with a choice of chopsticks or a fork and spoon. Not everyone is dapper with the sticks, so getting this wrong will lower their appraisal and subsequent tip. Of course, serving Johnny Public in a timely manner and with the dish they actually asked for pays the bills. Aside from daily expenses and potential refunds should I get an order wrong (heh heh – easier mode), money can be spent on the shop next door to earn better gear and shop decorum.
You mean you can add a lick of paint to the walls? You can! You can also change the flooring, ceilings and add better furnishings and more welcoming… stuff. This includes customising the front desk for your server and also rearranging the counters in the kitchen to make you more efficient. This is based on preference on whether you want to dip your noodles first, or would rather have the sink handy for cleaning a new bowl in preparation for the next serving.
Having the option to take the heat off in terms of difficulty is a nice addition, though there are still challenges to be had in KuloNiku: Bowl up!, most notably timing. As mentioned above, you actually have a limited amount of equipment, so sometimes must wash up a bowl before cooking, and this all takes away precious time and potential monetary tips. Complementing the tips is also your reputation level, which goes hand-in-hand with the profits. The greater your reputation, the higher your earnings, and as you’d expect, progression in the game.
The goal throughout is to get Bakuso to the top ranking in town so you can put smiles on people’s faces with your dishes. This is achieved through meatbrawls with rivals, and each time you defeat an opponent, your ranking increases and the available recipes, tools and decoration grow, as do your relationships. Engaging with former foes can increase your friendship, and in turn, you can go on hangouts with them on your day off all around town, further having the option to deepen your relationship. Phwoar! Additionally, new events will unlock and themed festivals to continue to grow your business.
All the interactions in KuloNiku: Bowl up! are meaningful, and skipping through, not paying attention, isn’t in your interests as some of the characters will ask you questions and if you haven’t been listening… well, shame on you. Besides that, the whole experience is charming and best of all, the core gameplay of preparing meals is fun. The game never feels stagnant, either as new objectives are unlocked to earn better tools and craft new recipes based on demand through minigames. These can improve the tips you receive and just how much more of a workflow you can build.
I might just have to say it: KuloNiku: Bowl up! could be the best cuisine-based game I’ve played that neither feels gimmicky nor unnecessarily stressful. Of course, that can happen depending on the options you go for, but I’d say it’s much like the excellent Midnight Ramen, only it expands more so on the cooking experience and offers a bit more interaction with the people that populate its world. So yeah, hot stuff and a bowl of wholesome stuff and all that jazz. Recommended!
