"Recipe for average success."

Welcome to Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends!

Introduction:
Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends utilizes the usage of the stylus and the touch screen. The game is fairly simple, and easy to play but gets fairly repetitive and you can lose interest quickly. The game was created by Majesco Entertainment, and in Cooking Mama 2 it introduces some new, but poor features.

Gameplay:
The game is very fun to play whether your chopping an onion, grating cheese, or stir frying something. The gameplay is deeply focused on the touch screen and using the stylus to follow in game instructions. It is really easy to get a hang of this game because the controls are extremely simple and easy to follow. Cooking Mama 2 is The game can be repetitive because you really only do mini-games that help you advance on the recipe. The mini games can be quite tedious and VERY difficult if you don't know what your doing. The worst part of it is that if you make just one mistake, it could ruin your shot of making a 100 or a Gold. There are 3 good qualities of the gameplay and they are, the game play is very fun, fast paced, and perfectly easy to learn the controls.

Excellent gameplay, just sometimes repetitive, and frustrating.
9/10 -

Graphics:
Well the graphics are decent at most compared to the graphic capabilities of the DS. The characters are chibi-like and who doesn't like that? There isn't much backgrounds, but the colors are great. Another great quality would be the textures because when you are sauteing bacon with onions the textures change and giving it life like quality.

Decent graphics just not as enjoyable to look at it compared to the capabilities of the DS.
7/10

Sound:
The awesome sound effects were amazing because they were real. When you are sizzling something in a frying pan you can hear it make that crackling, and sizzling effect. You can hear everything that going on. But there is just an itty bitty problem. THE VOICES! Some think that the voice of Mama is cute and funny but to many its annoying and wants to make you turn off the sound. Mama's voice (the only voice) and the accent is so weird like a cross between a French and Japanese accent. Mama mispronounces everything, whether its a 4 word sentence or a 5 word sentence. Here is a quote, "Guurate! Yoou gev eet yur beast effuvt," or when she says, "Dohn't warry Mama vill feex eet.The music is great and kid friendly because its relaxing.

Bad voice acting, good sound effects and calming music.
7/10

Replay Value:
There isn't much to be motivated about in this game, not much secrets to unlock, (if any) unless your obsessive and just want to earn a Gold in every recipe then you must be crazy! The game is replayable just not to your personal gain or advantage. It is fun to go back and play when your bored.

Not much to go back to, not much to unlock.
5/10

New Features:
As the title of the game says this game is the 2nd installment for Cooking Mama for the DS. There isn't much new gameplay just new game modes. "Let's Cook" mode allows you to make a recipe for someone without stopping, but just one mistake can cost you the whole recipe. "Let's Cook" mode unlocks new backgrounds, outfits for Mama, and seals. "Cooking Contest" mode is just to hone your own skills by removing egg whites, or grating some cheese. You can also play multiplayer in this mode which is not too exciting. "Cooking Contest" mode has no unlockables and is just a waste of time for me. "Change Design" mode allows you to change colors of the kitchen, the utensils you use, and Mama's outfit and accessories. "Write in Diary" allows you to save a recipe you made and decorate it with seals, its quite enjoyable.

Good new gameplay modes, BUT no differences in gameplay!!!
6/10

Overall:
This DS title is a good first game if your not used to the stylus or using a DS. The gameplay is smooth, simple and fun. Its great to play when you have nothing to do but it isn't that rewarding. There is also good graphics, decent sound and some good new features. Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends is a keeper in my book, and I would advise you to buy it, and not to rent it because its very enjoyable. This game makes a good gift to friends or family because its suitable for all ages with minimal reference of alcohol. This game also is very cheap if your on a budget.

Pros:
Very easy and simple to learn how to play.
Extremely fun for the whole family.
Budget friendly
Good graphics
Good sound effects

Cons:
Same as previous game, with minor add ins.
Bad voice acting.
Repetitive gameplay makes you lose interest.
Not much unlockables.

Great game with some flaws but its worth it to play.
Overall Score: 7/10
Not an average.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/01/08

Game Release: Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends (US, 11/13/07)