A Delicious Twist on the Classic RPG
Games have a way of making us feel like we’re on an epic adventure, but sometimes that feeling can be intimidating, especially if we have limited spare time. Dosa Divas, a new roleplaying game, manages to capture that same feeling in a package that spans less than 10 hours. This game is a perfect blend of style, story, and gameplay, making it an exciting experience for players of all levels.
The game takes place in a world where a single corporation has made cooking illegal, giving it a monopoly on food-like nutrient paste. This has a significant impact on the residents of the towns, who are forced to rely on the corporation’s products instead of their traditional ways of cooking. The player takes on the role of a pair of sisters, Samara and Amani, who join forces to take down the evil corporation, which just so happens to be run by their little sister Lina. This story is a powerful critique of capitalism, but it’s also a personal and emotional journey that explores the complexities of family relationships and the importance of food in our lives.
The gameplay is a traditional turn-based RPG, with the player traveling the world, fighting enemies, and leveling up to become stronger. However, Dosa Divas adds a unique twist to the standard RPG formula with its cooking mechanics. Players can create healing items and feed hungry citizens by completing brief minigames. This adds a fun and engaging element to the game, and it’s a great way to take a break from the action.
One of the most impressive aspects of Dosa Divas is its ability to balance a large number of elements without feeling bloated or unwieldy. The game is streamlined in smart ways, with a focus on making the most of the player’s time. Players only learn a couple of abilities over the course of the game, but they’re all important for battle strategy. Similarly, while players can customize their characters somewhat each time they level up, they can only choose between improving their strength, health, and special abilities. This structure gives players a lot of the same satisfaction of playing an RPG without all of the busywork.
Another impressive aspect of Dosa Divas is its story. On the surface, it’s an occasionally silly, frequently straightforward critique of capitalism. However, the game is at its best when the story gets personal. Through flashbacks and candid conversations, players really come to learn the complex familial relationships that define Samara, Amani, and Lina, and just how integral food has been in their lives. The game’s ability to tackle larger themes like capitalism and family relationships without feeling preachy or heavy-handed is a testament to its writing and design.
In many ways, Dosa Divas is a careful balancing act. It’s a roleplaying game that shrinks down an epic quest, and a raw and personal story that isn’t afraid to get silly or tackle larger themes. The most impressive part of the game is that it manages to be all of those things without feeling bloated or unwieldy. It takes just as much time as it needs to, which is a good thing, because now players have lots of cooking to do.
Dosa Divas is available now on PC, Switch, and PS5, and it’s definitely worth checking out for fans of RPGs and cooking games.
