Cooking Companions is a different kind of visual novel—one that really depends on how invested you are in its characters to make up for the otherwise basic gameplay. On the surface, it looks like a typical dating sim, but in reality, it is a psychological horror experience, much like Doki Doki Literature Club. If you enjoy that kind of twist, Cooking Companions will feel familiar.
Cooking Companions was originally released on PC, followed later by a sequel. This console version, including the release on Nintendo Switch, marks the first time the original game is available on other platforms. It is a great fit for handheld play, especially since the story’s setting—being isolated in the woods—feels more immersive when played on the go. One drawback, however, is the game’s art style, which comes off as a bit too generic. While the anime aesthetics are fine, the characters often rely on familiar facial expressions and designs. Despite that, their personalities are well developed and remain one of the game’s strongest points.
The story follows a group of friends living together in a cabin in the woods. There are four main characters, plus a fifth—us, the player, who takes the role of the lead character. At first, the game plays out like a typical dating sim, with different characters flirting with the protagonist. But things quickly take a darker turn during a rainstorm that leaves the group stranded inside the cabin. It is difficult to explain what happens next without giving away spoilers, but the story shifts dramatically into something far more unsettling once these events begin.
After all the usual routes are closed off, the group is forced to make some tough and sometimes confusing decisions, setting a darker tone for the rest of the game. What starts out feeling lighthearted and cute quickly becomes a disturbing psychological horror, complete with a basement hiding some truly dark secrets. Early on, you also meet a group of sentient vegetables called the Chompettes, who mostly act as comic relief. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that they have a deeper history that ties into the game’s darker themes.
The game encourages us to ask a lot of questions—like who the Chompettes really are, why our main character is behaving the way they do, and what drives the other characters. This is not a story where everything is explained up front. Instead, the details unfold slowly, and it is up to us to piece the narrative together.
One thing Cooking Companions does especially well is its writing. The sense of dread, mystery, and trauma the characters experience is conveyed in a powerful and effective way. It feels like reading a gripping horror novel full of unexpected twists. There are no cheap jump scares, which is refreshing, but the story still manages to be deeply unsettling. The sound design is also a standout—minimal but used smartly.
The game gives the illusion of choice, but most decisions end up leading down the same path. However, you can replay it in New Game Plus to unlock different endings. While many choices feel like they do not matter much, going through the game multiple times is worth it if you want a full understanding of the story and each character’s ending. There are several layers to the narrative, and one playthrough is not enough to see everything.
Overall, Cooking Companions is a visual novel worth recommending, especially given its low price and its unsettling but engaging story. That said, it is definitely not a game for everyone.
Cooking Companions Game Information
- Price: $14.99
- Publisher: Serenity Forge
- Developer: Deer Dream Studios
- Platform: Switch (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
