Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | – | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 48% | 51 | 446 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 28% | 37 | 19 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 20, 2026) · 17 reviews sampled · 19 total reviews in window · weighted 3.3 up / 8.3 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (8)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
“However, the current execution is severely lacking. The decision to dial back the dynamic physics in favor of rigid, punishing, and often buggy cooking mechanics makes the game feel more like a tedious chore simulator than a fun sandbox. Combined with severe performance drops and broken UI elements, it is clear that Big Cheese Studio needed a few more months to polish this release. If you have a dedicated friend to play with, you will still likely wring some chaotic fun out of the co-op. But for solo players, it is best to wait for a few major hotfixes before stepping up to the stove.”
read full review ↗ - 50
““Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together” takes a new approach in terms of visuals, mechanics and management. And, while its customized recipe system is a leap in comparison to the original, everything else is pretty much a step back, from physics to interactions. It should’ve stayed longer in the oven.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. There are new dishes, significant improvements such as dish preparation and most importantly, you can play it together with a friend. That is ultimately what the title refers to, Better Together. But for Better Together you must have a game where you do not encounter obstacles such as annoying bugs such as not having a good grip on your knife or rearranging a kitchen once your preparation time has started. If this all gets fixed, you can add a point.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is Cooking Simulator 1’s seemingly more put together younger sibling, less chaotic, more structured, but still entertaining to a point. However, it suffers from its plethora of bugs that range from mildly annoying to actually game-breaking and soft-locking, as well as a clunky UI, that dampen the experience. Nonetheless, it’s still a decent game, maybe just wait for a couple more patches.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together has intricate cooking and recipe creation mechanics, and its campaign mode will likely appeal to those who want a nice, involved restaurant simulation from the perspective of the chef. However, it differs drastically from the first game and is full of bugs, odd design choices, and an overall unfinished feel that might keep returning fans away and make it harder for new fans to immerse themselves.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“When it was said and done, Cooking Simulator 2 went in a different route than the previous game, sacrificing some of its uniqueness for a streamlined approach. Co-op and the blueprint system are easily the two best features of this sequel, with the former improving general gameplay in so many different ways. It does suffer a little when it comes to its progression systems, and I miss what made Cooking Simulator so engaging, but it doesn’t change how solid the experience is, especially with friends.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Overall, I believe Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together has the bones to be able to be a good game. However, in its current state, I would say it has released more in early access rather than a full game release. The principles of what is being suggested sound like a game which will develop into being the forefront of the cooking simulation genre. However, it is quite a far way from being that at this moment. It must be said that Big Cheese Studios are hot on fixing issues, with there being 3 updates within a matter of days. I am curious to see how the game develops with these fixes; however, in its current state, I will have to award Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together with the Thumb Culture Silver Award.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Overall, Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is a masterfully crafted cooking simulation game. I must stress this is a very in-depth simulation, not a casual cooking game. You will have to expertly season all your food correctly, prepare all your ingredients, have a station ready to go, and order correctly for the day before you even think about managing the business side of the restaurant. There are hours of fun in the game if this is what you are into.”
read full review ↗
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MKAU GamingPatch history
- Patch #9 : Smoother Progression, Better Feedback & More PolishAug 20, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch #8 – Visual improvements, gameplay fixes & more.Jul 30, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- We're Part of the "From Poland with Love" Steam Sale!Jul 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH #7 - Plating Improvements, New Customizations & More FixesJul 16, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- HOTFIX #9 - Save issues fixJun 30, 2026
- Major Update Is Now Live – Customer Wiki, Assembly, Avatar Customizations & MoreJun 17, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH #5 - Optimization, Improvements & FixesMay 29, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH #4 - Text-based Recipes, Fluids and More!May 22, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- HOTFIX #8 - TutorialMay 14, 2026
- PATCH #3 - Performance & Network improvements, other fixes.May 12, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- HOTFIX #7Apr 30, 2026
- PATCH #2Apr 29, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- PATCH #1Apr 16, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- HOTFIX #6 - Putting Things Back to ContainersApr 10, 2026
- HOTFIX #5Apr 9, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #4Apr 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #3Apr 3, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #2Apr 2, 2026
- Hotfix #1Apr 1, 2026