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Cooking Simulator similar games & best alternatives

Cooking Simulator

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 • 2019

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Quick resume

Play one of the best cooking games! Take control of a highly polished, realistic kitchen equipped with all kinds of utensils and stands. Unlock and master over 80 recipes or use dozens of lifelike ingredients to cook everything you like. A simulator spiced up with a dash of real-life physics!

Global score

85/100

Genres

Casual, Simulator, Arcade, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Realistic and detailed cooking simulation
    • High replayability and long play sessions
    • Sandbox mode for creative experimentation
    • Good graphics and immersive audio
    • Variety of recipes and dlc content

    Cons

    • Buggy physics and occasional glitches
    • Frustrating controls especially with utensils
    • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative modes
    • Some repetitiveness in gameplay
    • High system requirements for smooth play

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fantasy, Violence, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Thrill, Survival. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to choose recipes, cooking methods, and play sandbox mode with open-ended experimentation."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game has a learning curve and skill mastery in cooking techniques, but some controls are finicky and buggy."

    • Competition
      -4

      "No evidence of competitive modes or leaderboards; focus is on personal skill and progression."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Many players report long play sessions, addiction, and high replayability with no ending."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Game is single-player only; no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Players can experiment with recipes, create own dishes, and customize kitchens in sandbox mode."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No social dominance or power over others; interactions are individual and non-competitive."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game to relax, zone out, and escape real-life stress through immersive cooking simulation."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest, not due to obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Encourages trying new recipes, testing physics, and exploring kitchen chaos in sandbox mode."

    • Exploration
      1

      "Some exploration of different recipes and kitchen tools, but mostly familiar kitchen environments."

    • Expression
      2

      "Limited character customization but players express creativity through food presentation and kitchen setup."

    • Fantasy
      -2

      "Focuses on realistic cooking simulation with some exaggerated physics for humor."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Minimal social connection; mostly solo play with little community interaction."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop cooking skills, memory, and mastery over time."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention and active engagement during cooking tasks."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are individual."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players unlock recipes, perks, and kitchen upgrades over time."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Can be relaxing in casual or sandbox modes, though career mode adds stress and pressure."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable visuals and sounds of cooking provide sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story
      -4

      "Game lacks a strong narrative; story is minimal or absent."

    • Strategy
      2

      "Requires planning and timing to complete recipes efficiently, but not deeply strategic."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some tension from timers and chaotic kitchen events, but mostly controlled gameplay."

    • Value
      3

      "Generally considered good value especially when on sale; offers many hours of entertainment."

    • Violence
      -4

      "Focus on constructive cooking activities; no combat or destructive violence."

    • Survival
      1

      "Some pressure to complete orders on time and avoid failure, but no life-or-death survival mechanics."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026