Outerloop, an independent game development studio, gained recognition a few years ago with their game “Thirsty Suitors,” which combined role-playing battles, cooking, and skating in a heartfelt narrative about a young woman reconnecting with her family and dealing with a colorful cast of ex-lovers.
Their latest release, “Dosa Divas,” stays true to the essence of its predecessor while enhancing the overall experience, presenting a story centered on family reconciliation within a vibrant and fantastical world. However, one notable drawback of the game is that it may leave players craving more content, such as additional rhythm-based battles, cooking scenarios, and deeper insights into its endearing characters.
The plot of “Dosa Divas” revolves around two sisters, Samara and Amani, who once managed a family-owned restaurant. Amani returns after a prolonged absence, aiming to reconnect with her sister and the rest of their family. Meanwhile, their youngest sister, Lina, has established a lucrative business selling a food substitute called Lina Meals, causing addiction among consumers and sparking a conflict between traditional cooking values and profit-driven motives.
The game also features a subplot involving Goddess, a sentient robot and food truck companion to Samara and Amani, adding an extra dimension to the gameplay. As players progress through the game’s roughly 10-hour storyline, they uncover the complex history of the sisters, involving their retired parents and former colleagues from the restaurant.
In terms of gameplay, “Dosa Divas” comprises three main components: exploration of various locations, engaging in turn-based battles reminiscent of classic RPGs like “Final Fantasy,” and preparing dishes to serve to hungry characters. The battles involve strategic decision-making and timing-based mechanics, offering a blend of familiar gameplay elements and new challenges.
Players collect ingredients from the game world to create dishes with specific flavor profiles, requiring them to complete cooking-related mini-games. While the cooking mechanics may feel slightly less polished than the combat system, they contribute to a satisfying loop of progression and immersion within the game world.
Despite some narrative threads feeling rushed or incomplete due to the studio’s small team size, “Dosa Divas” manages to deliver a poignant exploration of family dynamics and reconciliation. The game’s approach to sensitive themes and character development sets it apart from more mechanically complex RPGs, offering a unique and emotionally resonant experience for players.
“Dosa Divas” is currently available for various gaming platforms, including PCs, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch consoles, inviting players to dive into its engaging narrative and gameplay mechanics.