[b]Note:[/b] I received a copy of the game, thanks to a wonderful friend. ^^
[h1]Never a day off lol[/h1]
[h2]Introduction[/h2]
[i]Travel Cuisine 3: The Sea of Flavours Collector's Edition[/i] is a time management game developed by GameOn Production and published by 8floor ltd. As the name states, it is the third (and probably, final) game in the [i]Travel Cuisine[/i] series. As usual, you take on the roles of Tammy, the waitress, and Matthew, the chef. Their plan is to take a well-deserved vacation aboard a cruise ship. However, the ship's captain approaches the pair and begs them to help out with running their restaurants, as the usual cooks have fallen ill. Tammy and Matthew agree to help out even though this puts a monkey wrench in Matthew's plans, as he wants to ask Tammy to marry him. Can this successful pair successfully run the restaurants aboard the cruise ship, and will Matthew be able to make his proposal? :o
The gameplay is the same as in the previous games. You can choose between timed or relaxed mode, and there are a total of 4 restaurants, each with its own unique theme. Each restaurant has 15 levels, and in each level, you serve customers by cooking and delivering their orders. Depending on how quickly you do so, you can earn up to 3 stars per level. Of course, you earn coins in each level from serving customers, and coins can be used to purchase upgrades as they're made available. Upgrades can range from having faster cooking pans to better tables that earn more coins from customers. At the time of this review, no Steam achievements are available although there are several in-game trophies and the game counts towards a user's global total.
[h2]Review[/h2]
Having played and enjoyed the other games in the series, I was eagerly looking forward to getting around to this game, if only to find out how this series wraps up. Also, I couldn't help wondering what dishes Tammy and Matthew would cook up this time. XD
The story is very fun and light-hearted, giving off that vibe of the pair off on another culinary adventure. However, there's more to the story this time, as Matthew plans to propose to Tammy. Even though this wasn't made too obvious in the previous games, I could tell from those games that the couple was getting closer, so it was probably natural that Matthew would want to marry Tammy. I love the relationship that these two have, and Matthew is so adorable, looking nervous about how to make his proposal. Tammy can tell that something is off, and she's more worried than suspicious. Fortunately, all's well that ends well. ^^
Of course, it's the gameplay that's the main focus. It's fun as always although it can feel more of the same if you've played the other games in the series. I don't consider this to be a negative, though, especially if the gameplay mechanics work. I should note that I played on timed mode as usual since I enjoy a challenge. Timed mode provides a good enough challenge although not too overwhelming if you've played plenty of TMs, while relaxed mode is made for those who want a slower pace. The upgrades help to make Tammy and Matthew run the restaurants more efficiently, and I was able to obtain all the in-game trophies. However, I would have liked for Steam achievements to be present even though I'm aware that it's currently not possible due to the game engine that's used. I should mention that I'm uncertain as to whether I found all the fun sticky notes for recipes. In this game, the levels don't give any hints that a sticky note is present.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3615854504
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3615854679
As for the art, it keeps that fun, colorful, cartoony style that I've come to enjoy in these games. It's obvious that it works, and the sprites and backgrounds are drawn and colored well. The food looks delicious as well. :o The story comics that are shown in between restaurants are quite lovely to look at, too.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3615854811
Regarding the music, the tracks are the same as in the previous games. I couldn't detect any new tracks in this game although it has been a while since I played the previous game. Still, the tracks are great to listen to, giving off that fun, fast-paced vibe as Tammy and Matthew are running around the restaurants, doing their best to complete customers' orders.
[h2]Conclusion[/h2]
Would I recommend [i]Travel Cuisine 3: The Sea of Flavours Collector's Edition[/i]? If you're looking for a fun time management game, you're especially a fan of the [i]Travel Cuisine[/i] series, and/or you don't mind the lack of Steam achievements (even though there are in-game trophies), then I think it's worth taking a look. The game is on the short side, though, especially if you've played a lot of time management games. It took me a little over 4.5 hours to 100% complete the game. You may want to hold off for a sale, but it's a fun game that's worth playing, and it's in a few Steam bundles. ^^
[quote]For more detailed, fully complete, high quality reviews like this, please follow [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44702020/]The Introverted Gamer[/url], prioritizing heart and soul always. ^^[/quote]
