Monster Cuisine : we tested the alpha of the game that hunts, cooks, and serves in a tavern
As part of a partner press preview, I got my hands on the alpha of Monster Cuisine, a title developed by Team Machiavelli and published by TARK. The core premise revolves around three jobs packed into a single day : hack and slash monster hunting in the morning, cooking and forging in the afternoon, followed by tavern service in the evening. The inspiration from Dave the Diver is crystal clear, but the combat layer completely changes the dynamic. While the pixel art still needs polish and the game remains in early development, the gameplay loop is addictive and holds serious potential.
🕹️ Developer : Team Machiavelli
Publisher : TARK
Release : 2027
Platforms : PC (Steam)
Price : TBD
Genre : Hack and Slash, Cooking (Dave the Diver-like)
💡 Key Takeaways
- A day split into three distinct phases : monster hunting in the morning, forging and cooking in the afternoon, tavern service at night.
- A concept strongly reminiscent of Dave the Diver, enhanced by an active hack and slash combat layer.
- An alpha build with pixel art that still requires polish, yet remains thoroughly enjoyable to play.
- Planned for release in 2027 on Steam, price unannounced. Our overall score : 13/20.
Three professions for the price of one
A single day divided into three parts
Do you enjoy slaying mobs ? And do you love cooking ? Then Monster Cuisine is tailor-made for you ! Developed by Team Machiavelli and published by TARK, this charming indie title breaks your routine into three parts : in the morning, you venture out to hunt monsters, taking down goblins, cockatrices, minotaurs, and skeletons… By midday, you return to your inn to channel your inner 3-star gourmet chef, crafting absolute culinary masterpieces using harvested meats, topped off with aromatic herbs and honey to elevate flavors. You will also have time to visit your buddy the blacksmith to upgrade your gear (weapons and armor) for the upcoming day. Finally, when night falls, it is time for service ! Hungry customers will flood the tavern, expecting fast and delicious meals, so stay sharp to satisfy their appetites on time.
Naturally, the loop of Monster Cuisine will evoke memories of Dave the Diver, though it carves its own path by introducing an engaging hack and slash action mechanic.
Morning monster hunting, midday cooking, and evening hall service : the daily trilogy of Monster Cuisine.
Pixel art visuals that still need refining
A clear art style, though less detailed than Dave the Diver
Let us talk about the graphics. We are dealing with pixel art here, albeit somewhat less detailed and crisp compared to Dave the Diver. Visual touch-ups would certainly be welcome : added background depth and richer character details would enhance the overall presentation.
⚠️ Keep in mind (as I was cautioned beforehand) : the current build is an early alpha. Development is in its infancy, and several assets remain unfinished. I noticed a few imprecise sprites, which might represent temporary placeholder art waiting to be replaced.
Overall, the visual cohesion works well : appetizing dishes (like juicy grilled steaks), the cockatrice, and the cozy tavern setup all look distinct and readable.
In the morning : into the forest for monster hunting
Navigating the map all the way to the boss
As mentioned, morning time sends you straight into the forest to confront hostile creatures. You arrive on a map populated with direction signposts, exploring pathways until you locate the main boss to vanquish and complete your run.
By slaying foes and thoroughly searching every corner, you will gather plenty of harvestable items : meats, aromatic herbs, honey, goblin ears, and more… along with essential crafting materials ! Collect resources like iron to use during your afternoon forge session.
💡 Tip : keep track of your potions, and plan your exploration route carefully, because defeating the boss instantly teleports you back to the inn for the next stage of your day.
The morning hunting map : follow the signposts to reach the ultimate boss fight.
In the afternoon : blacksmithing and gastronomy
Forging equipment, then crafting the evening menu
Upon returning home, two key tasks await you. First, utilize your gathered ores to forge new weapons and armor or upgrade existing pieces. Slaying more enemies during morning runs unlocks better gear progression : choose between sticking with your current armor set or advancing to a more tanky and stylish alternative. Because style on the battlefield matters.
Next, step into the kitchen to prepare evening dishes : select your appetizers, main courses, and beverage selections to complete the menu.
💡 Pay close attention to the recipe grimoire (better than I did !) to execute steps in correct order for perfect dishes. Sloppy execution leads to mediocre meals and reduced earnings ! Read carefully, respect exact measurements, avoid confusing garlic with onions, and monitor your cooking timers.
💾 You will quickly realize that failing to gather enough resources in the morning leaves you short on crucial ingredients later. Focus during your hunts, as every phase directly impacts the next !
In the evening : time for service !
Famished patrons and a ticking timer
When evening arrives, patrons pour into the establishment expecting immediate service. They order endless dishes, leaving you to handle beverages, skewers, and meals in quick succession. Serving and reheating food involves fast mini-games to keep orders moving smoothly !
Once the timer expires, daily financial earnings are tallied. Your profits fund visits to the blacksmith the following morning for upgraded gear.
An addictive daily routine
This engaging daily loop defines the core appeal of Monster Cuisine. The gameplay stays consistently addictive, balancing high-intensity morning combat, relaxed afternoon cooking, and fast-paced evening service. Progression rewards you with new maps, challenging boss fights, and better starting gear each day.
The trailer and our full gameplay test
To get a feel for the atmosphere, watch the official trailer for Monster Cuisine :
To see the game in action, check out my complete gameplay preview VOD on the Little Big Campus channel :
Verdict : a promising alpha that needs time to simmer
Monster Cuisine is in its early stages of development. This hands-on preview showcased a title with genuine future potential, though work remains to be done. While drawing clear inspiration from Dave the Diver, it stems from a smaller development team with a longer road ahead to carve its spot on Steam. The combination of hack and slash action with engaging tavern management offers a refreshing spin on the genre !
Price details remain unannounced, with a planned release in 2027. Are you ready to sharpen your blade and put on your apron ?
FAQ
What is the core gameplay concept of Monster Cuisine ?
Your day is divided into three parts : morning monster hunting via hack and slash combat to harvest meat, herbs, honey, and ores ; afternoon blacksmithing and cooking using step-by-step recipes ; and evening tavern service managing customer orders through fast mini-games.
How similar is Monster Cuisine to Dave the Diver ?
The loop closely mirrors Dave the Diver through its blend of gathering, cooking, and serving. However, Monster Cuisine distinguishes itself by incorporating active hack and slash combat instead of underwater diving, alongside a distinct pixel art style.
What is the current development status of the game ?
The tested build is an early alpha. Some sprite assets remain temporary and feature systems are still being polished, but developers actively roll out regular updates, new map areas, and additional boss encounters.
When will Monster Cuisine release, and how much will it cost ?
Monster Cuisine is slated for a 2027 release on PC via Steam. Pricing details have not been announced yet. You can follow development progress by wishlisting the title on its official Steam store page.
💡 Further Reading
Interested in exploring another recent hands-on review, this time from a retro perspective ? Check out our Alien Breed 35th Anniversary review where we replayed all 6 games 👾
