Shokudo Underworld: An Upcoming Indie Cooking Adventure

“Shokudo Underworld” is an upcoming indie simulation game that blends restaurant management with fantasy, taking players on a unique culinary journey through a mysterious underworld. In this game, players assume the role of a sushi chef, collecting bizarre ingredients from fantastical creatures to create dishes that satisfy strange, otherworldly customers. With an intriguing blend of cozy aesthetics and mystical elements, this game is perfect for fans of simulation games like “Diner Dash” and “Cook, Serve, Delicious!”, but with a darker, whimsical twist.

• Release Date: September 15, 2024
• Developer: Miluku Inc.
• Publisher: Miluku Inc.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS

Gameplay Overview

At its core, Shokudo Underworld is a time management and cooking simulator, where players run a sushi restaurant in an underworld setting. The gameplay is centered around managing the restaurant, fulfilling orders, gathering ingredients, and eventually achieving the game’s ultimate goal: creating the legendary Chawanmushi.

Key Gameplay Elements

Sushi Restaurant Management
Players will oversee every aspect of running the sushi shokudo (restaurant), from taking customer orders to cooking and serving dishes. The game will require careful management of both time and resources to keep customers satisfied.

• Ingredient Gathering
  One of the unique aspects of the game is the fantasy ingredient collection system. Unlike traditional cooking games, ingredients in Shokudo Underworld are sourced from fantastical creatures and locations within the eerie underworld. These ingredients add an extra layer of challenge, as players must explore and engage with the underworld to gather what they need.
• Crafting and Cooking
  Crafting the right dish using these unusual ingredients will be critical. As players progress, they unlock new recipes and refine their culinary skills to achieve the ultimate goal—creating the legendary Chawanmushi.
• Time Management
  Juggling multiple orders, preparing dishes, and serving customers on time are key to running a successful sushi shop. This makes time management a critical gameplay element that will keep players engaged and on their toes.
• Progression and Goals
  As players progress, they unlock new customers, improve their restaurant, and gather more complex ingredients. The main objective is to craft the perfect Chawanmushi, but along the way, there will be plenty of smaller goals that keep the gameplay fresh and rewarding.

Storyline

The game’s narrative takes place in a magical underworld, adding an element of mystery to the otherwise cozy simulation. Players take on the role of a chef with dreams of culinary greatness, setting out to conquer the peculiar appetites of the underworld’s residents. As you gather strange and wonderful ingredients, you build up your restaurant’s reputation and inch closer to crafting the elusive Chawanmushi—a dish that holds legendary status within the game.

Visuals and Aesthetics

The game boasts a hand-drawn, 2.5D art style, blending a cute and cozy atmosphere with the eeriness of the underworld setting. The visual design is whimsical and colorful, appealing to those who enjoy the cozy vibes of simulation games but with a hint of fantasy and mystery. Characters, customers, and creatures are all uniquely designed to match the otherworldly theme of the game.

System Requirements

To ensure smooth gameplay, here are the minimum system requirements as listed for Windows and macOS platforms:

* Starting January 1st, 2024, the Steam Client will only support Windows 10 and later versions.

While exact details on the Steam Deck support remain unconfirmed, the game is expected to run smoothly on most modern systems given its indie game and casual nature​.

Game Features

• Single-player Experience: The game is designed for solo play, offering a deeply immersive restaurant management experience.
• Steam Cloud: Players can save their game progress across multiple devices.
• Steam Achievements: Unlock achievements as you progress through the game and reach key milestones, such as creating special dishes or satisfying a difficult customer.
• Family Sharing: Although not available at launch, the game may later support Steam’s Family Sharing feature.
• Multiple Language Support: The game will be available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese, catering to a broad global audience.

What Makes Shokudo Underworld Unique?

With its unique blend of restaurant management and fantasy exploration, Shokudo Underworld promises to be an exciting and whimsical addition to the casual and simulation game genres. Whether you’re a fan of cooking games or simply enjoy the cozy aesthetic of life simulators, Shokudo Underworld offers a rich experience that’s sure to entertain. Keep an eye out for its release on September 15, 2024, and prepare to dive into the deliciously eerie world of underworld sushi!

Shokudo Underworld is now available on Steam.

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