Introduction
Do you watch baking shows on tv and find yourself and constantly repeating “I could do that”?
Bakery Simulator offers players a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of a baker, without having to clean the kitchen.
But is the game worthy of a Hollywood Handshake or would Nicole Byer laugh it off the stage?
Let’s dive into the doughy details of this culinary adventure.
The game was released back in May 2022, for a variety of consoles and has an age rating of PEGI 3 and currently has a Steam rating of 6/10.
You’d have thought that within the two years since its release, the developers would have fixed the bugs within the game or added upgrades that echoed the wants and needs of the players.
We decided to review this game as a family, getting both adults and children’s perspectives.
Eat, Sleep, Bake, Repeat..
Bakery Simulator doesn’t have a storyline, just manage the kitchen and orders whilst also balancing stock and baking bread. Simple yet boring. There is no target to work towards, no endgame. The perfect analogy for life?
The game designers have gone with a realistic feel that captures the environment perfectly. There are no character models during gameplay
During gameplay you’ll find a relaxing theme playing in the background, despite its “elevator music” similarities we found that it doesn’t interrupt gameplay and “elevated” gameplay. The sound effects are simplistic yet effective, due to the nature of the game nothing too fancy was required.
The same can’t be said for the driving segments of the game, the graphics and audio were both really lacking. With the graphics resembling late 90’s technology don’t expect a ray tracing setting here.
The sound effects of the car engine seemed eerily similar to the sound of the mixer in the kitchen.
On your marks, Get set, Bake!
Upon starting the game, players are greeted with minimal setup and an intuitive tutorial, making it easy for even novice bakers to jump straight in. However, our initial excitement was dampened when our seven year old encountered issues with using their gamertag due to restrictions on special characters. Once this was overcome, we were whisked away to the bakery scene.
The gameplay takes place mostly in a commercial kitchen, and unfolds at a leisurely pace, which may deter those seeking fast-paced action. However, for baking enthusiasts and simulation aficionados, the intricate first-person view of the kitchen is a treat. From measuring ingredients to operating various kitchen appliances, the game captures the essence of real baking with impressive detail.
The game is fairly simple, gather ingredients, mix, form, bake and deliver. However, each of these sections are very slow paced and uneventful.
For example, whilst selecting ingredients, if you accidentally select too much you can only remove the last addition. If the mistake involves multiple ingredients, then you have to simply throw away your mixture and start afresh thus wasting valuable supplies. While you can order more, these deliveries take time and may not be ready for this bake. Incorrect bakes result in point deductions, so it is crucial to maintain a well stocked inventory and exercise caution when selecting ingredients.
One notable positive aspect of the game is its convenient recipe list, which remains visible on the screen throughout gameplay. This feature eliminates the need for players to memorise individual ingredients and cooking times, enhancing the overall user experience and streamlining the cooking process.
After mixing the ingredients with the mixer, players must navigate a clunky wheel interface to select the type of bread they want to bake. The controls are finicky, often resulting in frustration as you struggle to make the right selection.
Once you’ve chosen your bread type, you must then manoeuvre another wheel to match up symbols and form your bread. Again, the controls are awkward and unintuitive, leading to unnecessary difficulty.
Finally, it’s time to bake your bread in the oven. Unfortunately, the wait time feels needlessly long, testing your patience as you eagerly await the finished product.
Each task must be completed with precision, as timing is crucial to earning high scores. Overcooking a baguette or missing a delivery deadline results in point deductions, adding a layer of challenge to the gameplay. This proved difficult for the children. Additionally, players can upgrade their kitchen equipment as they progress, further immersing themselves in the baking experience.
Once your bread is baked, its time for delivery. Players can choose to have their bread delivered automatically or take on the task themselves.
An unexpected aspect of the game is the inclusion of a delivery mechanic, reminiscent of early Grand Theft Auto games. Players must navigate their baked goods through town using a rudimentary mini map, earning cash based on their performance. While the driving physics leave much to be desired, it adds an interesting twist to gameplay. The children struggled with the mini game controls, this was further complicated by some routes being subject to blockades, which the children struggled to manoeuvre and simply drove through where they were able.
Once your goods have been delivered you will receive a report stating the cash and XP earned. However, should you lose points, there is no explanation received as to why. This is a frustrating feature as it results in the player not understanding their mistake and having to simply guess and attempt to improve on their next bake.
Bon Appetit!
Despite the game’s attention to detail and immersive mechanics, our experience was marred by clunky controls and repetitive gameplay. Both adults and children quickly grew bored, craving more excitement and variety. While the driving segments added depth to the gameplay, they failed to fully elevate the overall experience.
One major drawback of the game is its lack of excitement. The available bakes are limited to basic breads, buns, and baguettes, which are uninspired and visually unappealing. The absence of variety left us yearning for the opportunity to decorate a cake or experiment with more elaborate recipes.
In its current state, the game falls short in providing players with a sense of accomplishment and motivation to succeed. Implementing features such as customer feedback, customisable kitchen decorations and kitchen expansion options would greatly enhance the gameplay experience.
Additionally, allowing players to admire their completed bakes could serve as a satisfying reward for their efforts. By incorporating these elements, the game could effectively engage players and encourage them to strive for success in their baking endeavours.
In conclusion, Bakery Simulator offers a tantalising taste of the baking world but falls short of delivering a truly satisfying experience. With refinement to its mechanics and the addition of more engaging gameplay elements, this game has the potential to rise to the occasion. Until then, players may find themselves craving a more fulfilling gaming experience. This game is one of those that you’d grab on the off chance in a Steam sale, or even claim along with Epic’s Christmas Freebies, you would have to really be in to baking simulators to pay the full price. We would not recommend this game as a way to entertain your children, however, if your child is struggling to sleep at bedtime then this may be the perfect solution.
Bakery Simulator is available now on Xbox, PlayStation, Steam and Nintendo Switch
GAMERHUB RATING: ONE (Out of FIVE) JOYSTICKS
(Thank you to Press Engine, Live Motion Games, Ultimate Games S.A and Gaming Factory for providing the code for this review)
