Getting Started

Getting Started

First Hour Walkthrough

• Tutorial (1-1): The game gently introduces you to the basics. You control one chef, learn to move, pick up ingredients (press Interact near a tomato or lettuce), chop them on a cutting board, cook in a pan, and serve on a plate. The timer is generous. Follow the on-screen prompts.


• 1-2 & 1-3: More ingredients appear (fish, onion) and a second chef joins (either a friend or AI-companion). The kitchen layouts become slightly more complex. You’ll encounter your first moving hazard (a conveyor belt).


• Expect to fail your first attempt at a few levels – that's normal. Restart quickly and learn from the mistake.


• Unlocks: After 1-3 you’ll unlock new chefs (just cosmetic) and the world map expands. No character creation: you simply choose from a roster of quirky chefs. All chefs play identically.

Controls (All Platforms)

• Pro Tip: Use the dash (Space / RT / R2) to move faster – essential for tight timers. But be careful: dashing into a teammate knocks them over and wastes time.


• Dual control on Switch: Each Joy-Con can function as a separate controller for 2-player local co-op.




UI Overview



• Top-left corner: Timer (countdown for each level) and Score (total points earned so far). The timer is your main pressure.


• Top-center: Order tickets showing what meals customers want. The order can have multiple items stacked. The number next to the ticket is the time remaining before the customer leaves unhappy.


• Bottom-center: Your active held item (e.g., raw tomato, chopped lettuce, a plate of food).


• Right side: A small recipe book icon – press the designated button (Tab on PC, Select on controller) to see all possible recipes for that level. Crucial early on.


• HUD near each chef: A small circle showing what they are holding (if anything) and their current action (chopping, cooking, washing).




Essential Early Objectives


1. Clear 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 – these are mandatory to unlock the next world (1-4 and beyond).
2. Score at least one star per level to progress. Two or three stars are optional but unlock extra content.
3. Unlock at least one new chef (collect enough stars and the chef will appear on the world map).
4. Learn to cooperate – assign roles: one chops veggies, one cooks meat, one plates and serves, one washes dishes.
5. Understand the Pause menu – you can restart a level instantly (no penalty). Use it when the timer is hopeless.



What to Do First (and What to Avoid)



✅ DO

• Communicate – if playing with others, call out what you need ("Need a chopped tomato!", "Bring me a clean plate!").


• Use the recipe book – glance at it before starting each level so you know the order of assembly.


• Chop first – chopping ingredients takes time. If you have multiple orders, chop all the needed veggies at once.


• Keep plates clean – wash dirty plates immediately or you'll have no plates to serve.


• Extinguish fires – if a pan burns, a fire extinguisher appears. Grab it and spray (Interact) to avoid losing the pan.


❌ AVOID

• Hoarding ingredients – take only what you need. Grabbing more than you can process slows everyone down.


• Ignoring the timer – even a few seconds wasted can cost you a star.


• Running into teammates – plan your routes. Collisions cause knockdowns and lost time.


• Serving the wrong dish – an incorrect order wastes the food AND the plate. Read the ticket carefully.


• Leaving raw meat on the cutting board – raw meat must be chopped before cooking; chopped meat goes straight to the pan.




Early Resource Priorities



• Ingredients are limited per level – you cannot spawn more tomatoes, fish, etc. Use them wisely. If you run out, you lose.


• Time is your most critical resource – every second counts. Prioritize tasks that save the most time (e.g., chopping while waiting for something to cook).


• Your only currency is stars – more stars unlock new levels and chefs. Don't stress about three-starring everything on the first try; come back later.




Common Beginner Mistakes


1. Trying to do everything alone – Overcooked! 2 is designed for cooperation. Let your partner(s) handle separate stations.
2. Forgetting to dash – the dash button is your best friend for speed. Use it to run between stations.
3. Letting food burn – a pan left on the stove will catch fire. The fire spreads and destroys the pan. Always watch cooking food.
4. Neglecting dishes – you can only hold one plate at a time. If you serve and get a dirty plate back, wash it immediately.
5. Picking up raw meat without chopping – raw meat must be chopped before cooking, or you’ll get a failed dish.
6. Ignoring order times – each order has a timer; if it expires, you lose points and the customer leaves. Prioritize older orders.



Day-One Checklist



• [ ] Complete the tutorial (Level 1-1).


• [ ] Play through Levels 1-2 and 1-3.


• [ ] Unlock at least one new chef from the world map.


• [ ] Practice with a friend (local or online) – the AI companion is limited.


• [ ] Learn the recipe for the three starter dishes (Tomato Soup, Fish Burger, Grilled Cheese).


• [ ] Try to achieve at least one star on each level – restarting is allowed.


• [ ] Customize your controls if needed (especially PC keyboard layout).


• [ ] Watch the intro cutscene (unskippable, but gives context).


• [ ] Set up voice chat if playing online (in-game voice is available, but external apps like Discord are often clearer).

> Final Tip: Don’t get frustrated by chaos. The fun comes from overcoming it together. Practice makes perfect – and laughing at your mistakes is part of the experience!