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Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends
Score: 85%
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Office Create
Media: Cartridge/1
Players: 1 - 4
Genre: Family/ Action

Graphics & Sound:
In my mind, Cooking Mama is still one of the more original, and entertaining, games on the DS. As I mentioned in my Ratatouille: Food Frenzy preview a few weeks ago, I am still amazed that there haven't been at least half-hearted attempts to recreate the game's formula. The lack of a true knock-off leaves Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends the only choice for players looking to get back in the kitchen. Although it has its bumps, it is a trip worth taking.

Cooking Mama 2 keeps the same visuals as the first game. Everything is very simple, brightly colored and has a nice charm. Mama and friends are kept in 2D, while the food you prepare is a mix of 2D and simple 3D. One of the better aspects of the presentation is the level of customization it offers. You can decorate the kitchen with new wallpaper and cabinet colors and even dress up Mama in different outfits.

The only truly noteworthy aspect of sound is that a few audio clips have been added for Mama. Music is cheery and fits the overall mood of the game, though nothing about it stands out as above average.


Gameplay:
The game is split into two main modes; one where you cook with Mama and another where you cook for her friends. The object of both modes is fundamentally the same, though cooking with Mama is easier since she's there to cover up your mistakes. When cooking for her friends, you'll have to meet certain requests while you cook. If you can make Mama's friends happy, you'll earn medals that let you unlock items. It is pretty easy to earn gold and silver medals on most games, though there are a few you'll have to replay multiple times for reasons discussed in the next section.

You can also earn special stars if you do particularly well and unlock new items. Ultimately, this is what keeps you coming back and replaying recipes. Some of the better unlockable items are outfits for Mama, though you can also buy new items for her kitchen. You can also take pictures of completed recipes and store them in a scrapbook that can be decorated with stickers. Though it may seem like a small thing for most players, it really helps add replay value to the game - especially for OCD players who need to unlock every little thing or people who like scrapbooking.

Multiplayer is the game's weakest mode. The game supports four-player competition using one copy of the game, though you are limited to completing the mini-games rather than racing through the entire recipe. Its fun for a while, but gets dull quickly.


Difficulty:
The lack of instructions for each mini-game makes them a little harder than they probably should be. The basic concept is fairly easy to pick up once you play it, though that few seconds of "learning time" does hurt the game. Many of the mini-games are carry-overs from the first game, though the game's more casual approach means that even newcomers shouldn't have too much of a problem.

Each of the modes provides a different level of challenge. When it is just you and Mama in the kitchen, the worst that can happen is a good scolding. If something goes wrong, Mama will fix your mess. Cooking for friends is more challenging; Mama's not there as a safety net, so you'll have to restart the entire recipe if you mess up a step.


Game Mechanics:
Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends keeps the same general flow as the original. There are 80 recipes in the game and each is split into a series of mini-games. Each task represents a step in the recipe; if you're making a cake, you'll have to mix the batter in one game and ice the cake in another. Several mini-games come right out of the original, though new ones are also included, like using a rolling pin.

All of the mini-games use the touch screen and stylus in different ways. To slice vegetables, you trace dotted lines and to stir a pot, you make stirring motions. Like the games, the stylus motions are easy enough in concept, though there are a few underlying issues. Some of the motions aren't clear enough, which helps to make a few of the mini-games harder than they should be. Other times the touch screen isn't very responsive. Though this was mainly a problem with the newer games (like sautéeing), they popped up in a few older ones as well.

Less-than-perfect controls aside, Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends is an enjoyable game; especially for more casual gamers who want something different. Although the lack of new gameplay content is disappointing, the new recipes and tools are worth a look -- but only if you really liked the first game or want to see what all the fuss is about.


-Starscream, GameVortex Communications
AKA Ricky Tucker

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