My wife enjoys few games, and I don't enjoy her being mad at me (I'm the source of many arguments in my stubborn nature). So, when Overcooked 2 combines those factors, it feels like a match made in culinary hell. Fortunately, that's not the case - it does cause some… stress, to put it lightly, but this co-op game is as fun as it is frustrating, a smoothie of laughs and tears, and it is currently cheaper than ever. So, get those divorce papers ready, and decide who is keeping the dog, as now's the time to give it a shot.
Of course, in case it needs to be said, I am exaggerating. Sure, Overcooked 2 is stressful, but it's also one of the best co-op games around. Each level forces you to work with others to get enough stars by making some delicious meals while also serving enough customers as the timer slowly whittles down to zero. Oh, and you have to manage the bane of my existence - washing up. How annoying.
It may sound silly, but it does include a story. Overcooked 2 sees you don your aprons once again in order to save the Onion Kingdom, as the threat of The Unbread looms. You'll need to grab your cutlery and all your cooking skills in order to manage the hunger of the zombified slices, and while it starts off with simple meals, things get a lot trickier as time ticks on.
Whether you have to get your timings right with moving kitchens on the ocean waves, or spooky floating stairs that drop into the mist below, Overcooked 2 quickly goes from a smooth test of your culinary lessons to an absolutely hair-pulling and stress-inducing cooking session. And that's why it's so memorable. The chuckles of frustration as you lose that well-prepped meal can be borne of the deepest anger just as much as amusement, but it's always a good time - even if, in extremis, it doesn't always seem that way.
Even at full price, this is an excellent purchase. However, you can grab Overcooked 2 for just $5.49 / £4.39 at Fanatical right now, granting you a Steam key for the game at 78% cheaper than it's ever been. That's a lot cheaper than a delicious course at many restaurants, and unlike the disappointment you experience seeing a tiny bit of food on a large plate, there's no sadness here.
So, if you've been looking for a party game that will certainly make your game nights more interesting, Overcooked 2 isn't one you'll want to miss. And, well, everyone will certainly remember you shouting at them to pass the newly-washed plates over a tiny gap as you're barreling down the road at lightning speeds, so there's that, too.