Restaurant Empire

GRAPHICS

The FMV's that take place whilst in cooking contests and conversing with others such as Uncle Michel are visually impressive as they detail small things such as individual worry lines, creases on the chef hat, and help to express characters emotions. Although at times the graphics look a little jagged around the edges this only occurs occasionally and is on the whole a small error.

When in game gamers can view the restaurant from a series of angles simply from tilting the angle and navigating with the mouse. Gamers can also zoom in and out using the mouse wheel or page up and page down buttons. In general graphics are fairly similar to The Sims particularly when looking at characters. There are good details throughout Restaurant Empire such as the way the room is immediately flooded with light when lights are added, the usage of shadows and the metallic reflective surfaces that can be particularly appreciated when close up. Generally Restaurant Empire looks as tasty as the dishes that are served up, and although there are minor errors in the graphics this game is one of the most realistic looking life simulation games available particularly when browsing the fabulous cities!

17/20

SOUND

Now and then gamers will be assisted by an American voice serving as a tutor to help guide gamers through bits of the game first time around. This happens when initially building the restaurant and on other occasions such as when entering the first cooking contest. The voice is fairly helpful and the clear pronunciation means that gamers will understand exactly what is being advised. The background music is similar to that in any other game and the title music has a retro feel to it with pianos, saxophones, and soft clicking. It is rather appropriate that the background music is gentle as this is exactly what one would expect to hear in a restaurant so the game is even correct in its choice of music! There is a minor let down in that a large proportion of the script is dialogue only but this is probably done to avoid slow down and minimise load times. There isn't anything particularly special about the sound effects for they are merely there to help the game progress. Different music takes place at different times; they'll be music for the passage of a month, music for successfully completing a scenario, and general music.

14/20

GAMEPLAY

Gamers play budding chef Armand LeBoeuf. After approaching his Uncle Michel and expressing his interest in the restaurant business he is offered Michel's old restaurant Treize A Table on the condition that he will generate a certain amount of profit and satisfied a number of customers. Omnifood are monopolising the restaurant market with top quality food sold at low prices. As all amount of profit turns into a mission to become a famous chef and owner of a successful chain of restaurants in France, Italy, and America.

Restaurant Empire is much more than just a pleasant game that allows gamers to control a restaurant for it is very business orientated. There are various business terms thrown in throughout Restaurant Empire such as "niche market" which may be unfamiliar to those who have little experience with business. There is also a great emphasis on profit making and keeping a steady cash flow. There are 18 scenarios for gamers to complete, each getting harder as the game progresses. At times gamers may feel that targets are impossible but with careful business strategies these targets can be reached. For example some targets that specify say a month profit of £50,000 within six months may start off with gamers in the red for the first few months losing, say, £2,000. Although at this point the task seems near to impossible careful tactics such as gradual price rises, releasing staff, cutting wages, and decreasing fixed costs can help increase profit considerably. Just like the business world Restaurant Empire is not easy, but employing business strategies and cautious spending leads to gaming success.

Gamers get to do virtually everything that is needed to be done to create a successful restaurant. Gamers get to build the restaurant choosing the layout, colour scheme and facilities, gamers get to employ staff, choose recipes, adapt recipes, and even alter the look of the menu. On top of all this gamers must consider whether to upgrade the restaurant to make the exterior look more appealing, spend money on advertising through television, radio, and newspaper, and how much money should be allocated to training staff.

If owning a chain of restaurants sounds hard enough Armand and other star chefs can also be entered into cooking competitions. Cooking competitions are simple enough; there is a fee to enter, and a prize for those that win. The prize is typically a cash sum plus new chef skills such as a new dish to cook. Chefs select a dish to cook at the contest and are then to prepare it in front of a live audience with other chefs, the winning chef is the chef with the highest rating after the dishes have been cooked. To assist your chef there are mini games that can be played. If the mini game is won then the chef concentrates more, if the mini game is lost the chef loses concentration. This is crucial in affecting the chef's rating and although it is largely about chance it is in gamers interests to master the mini games (although they are not very complex - how hard does pressing the letters A - E in the right order sound?).

For gamers even remotely interested in business this is recommended, for fans of The Sims this is recommended, and for all gamers wanting to have an enjoyable and challenging gaming experience this is without a doubt recommended.

23/25

LIFESPAN

In addition to the 18 tough scenarios that have to be completed Restaurant Empire also provides a "Sandbox Mode." Although no specific targets are set as with Campaign Mode, the possibilities for success are endless. It is recommended that gamers play Campaign through first but once this has been done the world is quite literally your oyster from here. Sandbox Mode allows gamers to choose their chefs look from 32 models, name their chef and select their cuisine. They can then have a free mode of play and build many restaurants and generate as much profit as possible. Although some may argue it lacks the direction and specific targets of campaign mode there is the argument that this is better for hardened gamers as there are no restraints and business decisions are made solely by you. With this is mind Restaurant Empire will keep gamers busy for months. Campaign Mode can last a good few months is gaming sessions are spaced out and since some scenarios are extremely difficult it may mean that gamer have to replay bits of the game.

22/25

ORIGINALITY

This is the first 3D restaurant sim so in this respect it is very original. There are not many games that give gamers as many options as this when running a business and it has far more depth than The Sims. The added ability to alter and duplicate recipes means gamers can change recipes to their liking. In addition to this customers request money to share recipes and secrets with yourself and others ask for money in addition for you to share your own secrets. This is a fully interactive restaurant sim experience and a game like no other.

9/10

OVERALL

Restaurant Empire is the three course meal of all business games. A succulent dish of gaming genius served with a topping of bold graphics and hugely addictive gameplay for desert!

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