Posted in Cheap Games, Game Showcases, Hobbies, Indie Games, PC gaming, steam, Steam Cooking Fest, Video Games

Love Cooking Games? Check Out Steam Cooking Fest

2–3 minutes

Steam’s game showcases are always fun, and the Steam Cooking Fest (now until Nov. 18th) is no exception! Featuring a buffet of cooking-themed games, some with delicious discounts, there’s something here for every type of foodie-gamer.

Here’s a taste of a few games I thought looked especially appetizing:

Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator (Cyanide Studio, Feb 23, 2023)
In Chef Life, you create and run your dream restaurant, controlling everything from décor to the final dish. With an overall Very Positive rating, this one looks like it’s worth trying for any budding restaurateur—and it’s on sale for just $8.99, a tasty 70% off.

Chef RPG (World 2 Studio, Sept 12, 2024)
Want to blend your love of cooking with an RPG adventure? Chef RPG, currently in Early Access, might be your game. Its pixel-art style is charming, and the RPG elements give it a unique twist. Plus, it’s rated Very Positive and discounted at $17.99 (10% off).

Coffee Caravan (Broccoli Games, May 20, 2024)
If you’re craving a cute, coffee-fueled road trip, Coffee Caravan could be a treat. The game’s aesthetics are cozy, and I’ll likely be grabbing it myself before the sale ends. With Very Positive reviews, it’s $8.99, 25% off the regular price.

Coffee Shop Tycoon (Riff Studios, Dec 19, 2022)
Can’t get enough caffeine? Coffee Shop Tycoon lets you do it all—roast your beans, make custom recipes, and build a coffee empire. It’s got a Very Positive rating, and at just $3.99 (a steep 60% discount), this one’s hard to pass up.

Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator (Auroch Digital, Sept 29, 2022)
More of a craft beer fan? Brewmaster offers a realistic brewing simulation where you create custom ales, experiment with recipes, and even enter competitions. With Mostly Positive reviews, it’s a steal at $4.49 (75% off).

Kebob Chefs! – Restaurant Simulator (Biotech Gameworks, Jan 19, 2024)
Ready for some co-op cooking chaos? Kebob Chefs! lets you and up to three friends build the ultimate kebob restaurant together. This Early Access game is on sale for $10.79, a savory 40% off.

Venba (Visai Games, Jul 31, 2023)
Venba offers a unique, narrative-driven cooking experience. Play as an Indian mom in 1980s Canada, exploring South Indian recipes and family stories through charming graphics. This one’s at the top of my list, and with Very Positive reviews, it’s well worth the $7.49 price tag (a 50% discount).

If you’re in the mood for some culinary adventures, the Steam Cooking Fest has plenty to offer! From creating your dream restaurant to brewing craft beer or exploring coffee culture, these games showcase the diverse and delicious world of cooking simulators. With discounts on highly-rated titles, now’s a great time to expand your library and maybe even pick up a few new skills in the kitchen—virtually, at least!

Until next time, bye for now!

Posted in Early Access Games, Enshrouded, Game Showcases, Gaming News, Hobbies, Keen Games, PC gaming, Survival Games, Video Games

Becoming the Flameborn: My Experience with Enshrouded

3–4 minutes

Every so often, a survival game comes along that sinks its hooks into me—and Enshrouded is one of them. Developed by Keen Games, it’s a mix of crafting, exploration, and mystery, all wrapped in a world teetering on the edge of collapse. If you enjoy games that challenge your resourcefulness while keeping you curious about what’s around the next corner, this one might be for you.

In Enshrouded, you find yourself in a land destroyed by a strange elixir—an alchemical creation that corrupted everything it touched. Now, the world lies abandoned, with the remnants of civilization being consumed by the shroud. Survival here isn’t just about building a cozy base—it’s about figuring out how to navigate a world that wants to destroy you.

As the Flameborn, you must explore the world, push back the Shroud and rescue the remnants of society, sleeping in Cinder vaults. Each survivor you rescue becomes an NPC at your base, expanding you ability to craft items to help you survive in a harsh world.

The Red Shroud: Death’s Kiss
The shroud is an active threat that can turn a peaceful outing into a desperate scramble. Gus and I learned this the hard way, getting ourselves killed via missteps into the wrong places. While the blue shroud is survivable for short periods of time, the red shroud forces you to make every venture into the wild intentional—you can’t just gather resources at your leisure. A step into its territory is deadly, so be cautious where you go.

Enemies in a Broken World
Exploring outside your base means running into creatures affected by both the elixir and the shroud. Some are feral beasts while others seem like they were once human—but now they wander aimlessly, mindless and aggressive. These mobs aren’t just obstacles; they tell the story of a civilization that tried to harness magic and failed.

The elixir doesn’t just destroy—it mutates. Some enemies are stronger the closer they get to areas consumed by the shroud, making combat feel tense and unpredictable. What might start as a simple skirmish with a lone mob can quickly escalate in the shroud, amplifying their strength and turning the tide against you. The elixir’s corruption also hints at a deeper mystery. Who created it? And can the world be saved—or is it already too far gone?

Building a Base That Feels Like Home
Despite the chaos outside, there’s peace in base building. Gus and I spent time gathering materials and repairing the ruins we found, turning them into something livable. Progress doesn’t come easy, but every log placed or wall repaired feels like a small win.

There’s also a deeper satisfaction in building a base with a friend. When the world outside is falling apart, having a place to return to, built with your own hands, makes all the difference. With each repair, you reclaim a little bit of safety—a reminder that even in a world consumed by the shroud, life can still flourish.

Why Enshrouded Deserves Your Attention
Though Enshrouded is still in development, it already offers a compelling experience. The interplay between exploration, combat, and survival feels fresh, especially with the added danger of the shroud and the way it influences the enemies you encounter. There’s a constant tension between curiosity and caution, pulling you deeper into the world while reminding you that every step could be your last.

If you enjoy survival games that reward creativity and teamwork, this one’s worth a try—especially if you have a friend to share the adventure with. And if you love a bit of mystery mixed with your crafting, you’ll find plenty to uncover in Enshrouded.

Until next time … hold firm Flameborn and bye for now!