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Thanks to "Cooking Mama" I am now a professional chef.
Wait, I'm not? Yeah right, next you'll tell me that I am not a surgeon after playing "Trauma Center" or an attorney either after playing "Phoenix Wright".
Of course I know that playing these simulation games don't teach you any real skills that can be applied in the real world, that would be silly ( besides everybody knows it takes a good 6 months to earn your degree at home!)
"Cooking Mama" is a game that centers around a set of cooking themed timed bite- sized minigames Warioware meets Corningware. The challenges can be something as simple as making instant ramen, affectionately known here in the U.S. as "Oodles of Noodles", to something more involved like pork curry and rice.
It Slices, It Dices, It Grates, It Mashes! That's right, using the stylus most of the steps in the preparation are easy actions like slicing an onion along the score lines, or going in a circular motion on the screen to stir soups, or flipping meat in a pan and my all time favorite, blowing into the microphone to cool down hot foods.
Throughout the game you are under the watchful but loving eye of your Mama. She doesn't add anything in terms of storyline to the game, in fact there is no storyline, she just smiles off to the side and will take over the recipe if you fumble too long. But beware, sweet little Mama has a dark side at times, and if you make too many mistakes she will get angry, I'm talking fire in her eyes (literally) wigged out -cooking Satan angry. "No wire hangers ever" type of mama drama here folks!
At the completion of your culinary masterpieces you are graded with gold, silver or bronze medals based on how well you performed each step within the recipe process. As well as unlocking new recipes that you can roll up your sleeves and attempt, all of which will have you coming back for seconds and even thirds.
The look of the gameplay is a real feast for the eyes, for example the way your pudgy animated fingers curl inward while chopping. The cooking animations are extremely well done giving you the feeling that yes, you are indeed cooking- of course you know you really aren't, but that's beside the point. It does get a little hot and sticky in the kitchen at times, such as when you must cut through some meats that are so tough it will take up half of your total time allowed. It all boils down to doing what you're told as quickly as possible.
What I liked most about "Cooking Mama" is when it became a reasoning/planning ahead type of game, for example when stir frying mixed vegetables- certain veges. take longer than others to fully cook so it is all about knowing what to start cooking first or that frying pans all have a hot and warm side to them so continuous stirring of the ingredients is essential.
The wacky recipes are what give really "Cooking Mama" its real lip smacking appeal, where else are you given the opportunity to prepare things like shrimp gyoza or shumai wontons?
The whole home cooking kitchen experience was enhanced by the great sizzle and chopping sounds of the game, it was so authentic sounding you could almost smell the beef grilling. . This will surely satisfy those of you out there with a yen for Japanese food.
A Dash of This, a Dash of That: The 3 Spices to the Game
Let's Cook: this is the meat and potatoes of the game, it allows you to perform and practice all of the different techniques. It is here that you will earn medals to unlock new delicacies.
Let's Combine: this allows you to combine 2 different recipes to create your own unique dish. I found this to be the most entertaining, as it allows you to try something different and to really get funky. I am very proud of my squid spaghetti with a side of dumplings thank you very much.
Use Skill: this is the big leagues, this is Iron Chef. This is where you are going to be pushed to the cutting edge and expected to perform well under time pressures that allow little or no mistakes. So you think you've mastered peeling a pot of potatoes in under 10 seconds? go ahead try this mode to see how very Martha Stewart you've become. It is the most challenging mode to the game that requires 1 part repetition mixed with 2 parts skill.
"Cooking Mama" is a yummy delight that provides you all the fun of cooking without the messy cleanup. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a fried octopus dumpling recipe I've been dying to try!
Get Cooking Mama Here
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Posted by oxyjen on Oct 9, 2006
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