Diets & Deities, the latest creation from Larrikin Interactive, offers a distinctive mix of rhythm and cooking mechanics set against a backdrop of multicultural mythologies and native Australian cuisine. While the short game boasts some distinctive gameplay components and a somewhat engaging narrative, it falls short in particular aspects, making the whole experience feel undercooked.
“While the narrative provides a delicate blend of humor and seriousness, the game concludes abruptly, leaving players craving a more satisfying resolution.”
In Diets and Deities, you play at Nephele, the first deity created in a millennium, and you’ll have to dance to the beat and collect ingredients to save other deities from the greasy grasp of the evil Colonel KFZ, who absolutely despises a homecooked meal. However, there is more to unpack as Nephele needs to figure out her identity and where she came from.
While the narrative provides a delicate blend of humor and seriousness, the game concludes abruptly, leaving players craving a more satisfying resolution. Diets & Deities feels as if it didn’t have enough time in the oven. Players can finish the game in under 2 hours, and with many diverse and unique deities, it would have been better to have more additional time to delve into their personalities.
“Diets & Deities feels as if it didn’t have enough time in the oven.”
The combination of rhythm and cooking mechanics in Diets & Deities provides a unique and enjoyable gaming experience. The diverse and culturally infused soundtrack, along with charming pixel art visuals, contributes positively to the game’s aesthetic. Bopping to the music while dodging left and right, avoiding spikes, and collecting the healthy food that was thrown my way became something I yearned for, almost like a therapeutic experience. The music incorporates authentic instruments and audio from various places around the world, such as Australia, Indonesia, and Brazil. While I’ve always enjoyed the sound of a didgeridoo, I was pleasantly surprised each time one entered the fray.
The character art is also particularly eye-catching. Some of the details on the characters are incredibly thorough, making each one feel entirely unique. Additionally, the various dishes are sumptuously detailed, making for a mouth-watering visual experience. Unfortunately, while there were some shining elements, the lack of polish elsewhere is evident throughout the experience.
“One notable drawback is the lack of difficulty in Diets & Deities.”
It’s not uncommon to encounter minor issues, such as the talk button appearing prematurely before I could talk with NPCs. This led to me having the frustrating need to spam the space bar and run around until the interaction registered. There are also some UI issues, most notably with the menu running off the page and some keys not having any effect despite a function indication on the page.
One notable drawback is the lack of difficulty in Diets & Deities. It’s not hard to cruise through the game with an S-rank on all levels and no deaths, which raises concerns about the overall challenge. This can leave you with a sour taste, especially if you’re expecting a demanding experience like Everhood.
“With 16 recipes and levels and a 1-2-hour run time, you’re better off waiting for a sale.”
Fortunately, the educational aspect of learning real-world recipes is a significant highlight in Diets & Deities. There are 16 recipes in the game, and each of them will likely expand your culinary knowledge. I, for one, haven’t heard of many of the recipes, but I’ve definitely taken screenshots for the Tempe Manis and Ayam Kuning. Plus, who wouldn’t want to try KFZ’s Perfect Burger to see if it’s all that?
In terms of pricing, Diets & Deities is available for US$13.99 / £11.79 / AU$19.99, which is a little steep for the amount of content you receive. With 16 recipes and levels and a 1-2-hour run time, you’re better off waiting for a sale.
Disclosure:Â Game Crater was provided the game for this review.
