Be careful who you trust when starvation sets in. Cooking Companions, the viral psychological horror visual novel disguised as a cute dating sim, has launched on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
Developed by Deer Dream Studios and published by Serenity Forge (Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!), this cult hit arrives on consoles ready to disturb a whole new audience.
Available for £12.49 (with a tempting launch discount bringing it to £9.99 for a limited time!), Cooking Companions whisks together adorable anime visuals with a deliciously dark tale inspired by Eastern European folklore.
But be warned: this game comes with content warnings and is not suitable for children or those easily disturbed.
Trapped, Starving, and Surrounded by “Friends”
The setup sounds innocent enough: you’re part of a group of friends trapped deep in a cabin in the Tatras Mountains. Supplies are dwindling, flood waters are rising outside, and it’s up to you to keep spirits high. But as hunger gnaws, strange events begin, and unsavoury challenges must be faced.
You’ll spend your time exploring the cabin, attempting to build relationships with your companions, and making decisions that carve your path through this multi-ending visual novel.
The crucial question hangs heavy in the air: Will you butter up the right person? Or will you wind up on the chopping block?
A Cult Hit Enhanced for Consoles
Cooking Companions gained a significant following after its initial Steam release, becoming a hit on YouTube and Twitch thanks to its unsettling atmosphere and shocking twists.
This new console version (and a simultaneous free update for PC) enhances the experience with:
- 15 Fully Animated Cutscenes: Bringing key moments to life.
- New Secrets: More hidden details to discover within the cabin.
- Expanded Localisation: Now fully localised in English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese.
From the Publisher of Doki Doki Literature Club Plus
Publisher Serenity Forge is no stranger to visual novels that hide dark secrets beneath a cheerful facade, having previously published the enhanced version of the infamous Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
With Cooking Companions, they and developer Deer Dream Studios deliver another experience that plays with expectations and delves into psychological horror.
Important Warnings
- Photosensitive Epilepsy: This game may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
- Mature Content: This game deals with disturbing themes and is not suitable for children or those easily disturbed.
Key Features
- Psychological Horror Visual Novel: A dark story disguised by cute visuals.
- Survival & Relationship Building: Manage dwindling supplies and interact with companions.
- Multiple Endings: Your choices impact who survives (or doesn’t).
- Eastern European Folklore Influence.
- Enhanced Console Version: Includes new animated cutscenes and secrets.
- Cult Hit: Previously gained notoriety on PC and streaming platforms.
Ready for Dinner?
Cooking Companions offers a unique and deeply unsettling narrative experience that subverts expectations. If you’re prepared for a psychological horror story that explores dark themes under the guise of a cute visual novel, it’s available right now on the Xbox Store (and other console platforms) for £12.49 (currently discounted to £9.99!).
Just… be careful who you share your meal with. Stay tuned for our full review.
Cooking Companions Description
Deep in the woods of the Tatras Mountains, supplies dwindle and flood waters are rising. It’s up to you to keep spirits high and make the most of your survival skills. Will you butter up the right person? Or will you wind up on the chopping block?
