Outerloop, an indie game developer, gained attention some years back with their game Thirsty Suitors, which combined role-playing battles, cooking, and skating in a story about a young woman reconnecting with her family and dealing with a quirky group of ex-lovers.
Their latest offering, Dosa Divas, stays true to its predecessor but refines the gameplay, presenting a story of family reconciliation set in a colorful and fantastical world that feels authentic.
One notable drawback is that players may find themselves wanting more of the rhythm-based battles, cooking elements, and stories from the endearing characters. It’s akin to a TV series that starts strong but could benefit from more episodes to fully develop its themes.
Dosa Divas follows the tale of sisters Samara and Amani, who previously ran a family restaurant. Amani returns after a decade to reconnect with her family, while their younger sister, Lina, has taken a corporate route with her meal replacement paste, threatening traditional cooking.
The game explores the contrasts between cooking for connection and corporate greed, delving into the sisters’ complex history over approximately 10 hours of gameplay, involving their retired parents and former colleagues.
The narrative also includes a subplot featuring Goddess, a sentient robot food truck that accompanies Samara and Amani on their journey, adding a mythical layer to the story.
Players engage in turn-based battles against various foes, cook dishes using collected ingredients, and serve customers throughout the game’s world, enhancing their characters’ abilities and progressing the story.
The gameplay involves a mix of timing-based mechanics in battles and mini-games for cooking, creating an immersive experience though some aspects may require practice to master.
Despite some loose ends in the narrative due to time constraints, Dosa Divas presents a compelling story of family dynamics and reconciliation, offering a unique perspective rarely seen in gaming.
The game, while not as mechanically intricate as larger titles, stands out for its sensitivity in storytelling, hinting at promising future projects from Outerloop.
Dosa Divas is now available for PCs and major gaming consoles.