Info about PlateUp!:

Official game description:
Up to four players build and run a restaurant from scratch, choosing dishes, buying and placing appliances – some of which can be daisy-chained together to create ambitious automatic kitchens – cooking food and serving customers.
Players have free rein to design their restaurant which will expand and develop between shifts – with additional content and challenges unlocked through progression.
Can you cook, serve and manage your way through 15 hectic days in your restaurant and unlock a brand-new franchise?
*   Classic co-op cooking action, with a wide selection of mains, sides, sauces, toppings, desserts, and starters.
*   Choose your equipment, lay out your kitchen, curate your menu and plate up your dishes.
*   From bubbling soups to sublime salads, tender steaks to hearty pies, there's something for everyone.
*   Look after front-of-house: seating customers, delivering orders, and managing patience.
*   Equip your restaurant to handle the most fickle of customers and deliver them what they need, right when they need it.
*   Co-operate with your team like a well-olive-oiled machine or build a name for yourself going it alone.
*   Exceed your goals and take your franchise to greater heights at a new location, bringing with you new unlocks and upgrade
*   Upgrade and rearrange your restaurant to your personal taste: when the restaurant closes for the day, the planning begins!
*   Decide what new equipment to purchase, and place it wherever you want.
*   Want to go high-tech? Install the turbo-ovens, crank up the conveyors, and make way for the robo-kitchen of the future.
*   Fancy something a little more... fancy? Curate your art collection, fix up that wallpaper, enlist a friend as a maître d' and get ready to provide the culinary experience of a lifetime.
*   Exceed your goals and start over at your next location, bringing with you new unlocks and upgrades.
*   Tailor your brand towards gourmet dining, or fine-tune your fast food franchise.
*   Every restaurant is procedurally-generated with its own climate, customers and conditions.
*   Return to your franchise HQ to view your achievements, customise your characters and upgrade your kit, ready for your next adventure!

Release date: Aug 4, 2022

Categories: Cooperative Multiplayer, Management Simulation, Roguelike, Automation Game, Base Building

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 75; verdict: The Hoarder - Blueprint/Crafting Dependency; summary: User feedback reveals a strong dependency on external wikis and guides due to insufficient in-game tutorials, high complexity, and specific gaps in blueprint/upgrade explanations. The most impactful complaint involves the need for wiki information regarding blueprints, which triggers a score of 75 per the strict scoring algorithm.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works well on Proton; summary: The game works flawlessly on Linux using Valve's standard Proton, with multiple users reporting no issues out of the box. One user mistakenly believed there was no Linux support, but the consensus indicates smooth Proton compatibility.
- Steam Deck: score 80; verdict: Broken; summary: The game suffers from critical launch failures (black screen) and severe multiplayer disconnects, making it unreliable. While some Linux users report good Proton compatibility, the fundamental stability issues and poor controller support on Steam Deck prevent a seamless experience. Workarounds exist for single-player crashes, but the online mode remains broken.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Based on the provided snippets, the game performs well on systems with 4GB VRAM under Proton on Linux.
  - Sample size: 72 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 40 reports): Two reviews on Linux with 4GB VRAM report the game runs smoothly with no issues.
  - Caveats: 72 of 3318 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate the full price of $20 is considered too high, with many recommending purchase at sale prices of $5-$10. However, some players find $20 acceptable for extensive play, suggesting a fair base price between these valuations. The consensus points to a range of $10-$15 as reasonable for the base game.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 2.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Session length is estimated at 2.5 hours based on the Turkish review explicitly stating 2-3 hours per sitting, supported by the German review indicating a single run can exceed 1 hour (often multiple runs per session). Game completion and story completion lack explicit hourly evidence; many players report not having beaten the game after significant playtime, and no clear total time to finish is given. Endgame hours are not directly mentioned in any reviewed evidence, hence set to null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: PlateUp! offers immediate chaotic fun with friends but requires a few hours to click for solo players due to a steep learning curve and weak tutorial; after that, it becomes deeply addictive through automation and progression.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: The game clicks after initial learning
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: steep learning curve; poor tutorial and unclear translations; online multiplayer lag; single save file limitation; repetitive early tasks without automation
  - Unlock drivers: playing with friends for immediate engagement; progression unlocking automation; learning game mechanics through trial and error; modding community support; experimenting with layouts and strategies
  - Conditions: best with friends for chaotic fun; also fun solo but requires patience; automation mindset enhances enjoyment; randomized elements increase replayability; co-op requires coordination for optimal experience; singleplayer is more strategic than chaotic
- Player Archetypes:
  - Co-op Chaos Collaborator (buy)
    - Motivation: Shared chaotic fun and laughter with friends
    - Playstyle: Plays in groups of 2-4, embraces the hectic coordination, often specializing roles spontaneously and shouting orders
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: co-op gamer; party game lover; Overcooked fan
    - Reference games: Overcooked; Overcooked 2
  - Solo Efficiency Architect (buy)
    - Motivation: Optimizing kitchen efficiency and automating processes
    - Playstyle: Plays solo, meticulously plans kitchen layout and workflow, prioritizes automation and upgrades over decoration
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: solo player; optimization enthusiast; automation fan
    - Reference games: Overcooked; Factorio
  - Roguelite Replayability Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing varied runs through randomized upgrades and challenges
    - Playstyle: Adapts to each run's random cards and blueprints, embraces the learning curve and replayability, accepts failure as part of progression
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: roguelike enthusiast; replayability seeker
    - Reference games: Overcooked


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent solo and multiplayer (weight 0.6): The game is repeatedly noted for being enjoyable both alone and with others, making it versatile for different play styles. Players appreciate that it works well in solo mode while also providing a fun, chaotic experience in multiplayer.
- Fun and chaotic gameplay (weight 0.45): Players love the chaotic, fun, and addictive nature of the gameplay, which creates a positive bonding experience with friends. The chaos is described as enjoyable rather than stressful, adding to the game's appeal.
- Superior to Overcooked (weight 0.42): Players consistently highlight this game as a better alternative to Overcooked, citing less stress, fewer bugs, more replayability, and better balance for solo or small groups. It is praised for being less chaotic and more cooperative, while still offering engaging gameplay.
- Top co-op experience (weight 0.38): Frequently described as one of the best co-op games on Steam, this game is praised for its cooperative gameplay, couch co-op support, and ability to bond with friends. It is especially recommended for playing with a partner or a group.
- High replayability value (weight 0.31): The game offers significant replayability through varied recipes, customizable restaurants, and the ability to fail and restart. This encourages repeated play and keeps the experience fresh.
- Great for groups (weight 0.23): Optimized for 2-4 players, the game is particularly enjoyable with groups of 3 or more, though it also works well solo. Players note a sweet spot of 2-3 players for the best experience.
- Strong mod support (weight 0.12): Modding support enhances the experience, allowing up to 10 players and adding variety. This feature is appreciated for extending the game's life and creativity.

Common complaints:
- Solo play is very difficult (weight 0.47): Many players find solo play nearly impossible, boring, or stressful in the game. This is a widespread issue with high frequency of complaint.
- Requires friends for enjoyment (weight 0.33): Playing with friends is seen as necessary for a proper experience, as solo play is less enjoyable or even miserable. This aligns with a strong social dependency.
- Game is harder than Overcooked (weight 0.18): Comparisons to Overcooked highlight that this game is needlessly complex, more difficult, and less polished. Players find it frustrating and sweaty.
- Multiplayer has significant lag (weight 0.1): Online multiplayer experiences lag issues, which detracts from the enjoyment of the game. This is a common technical complaint.
- Customers make floor messes (weight 0.08): Customers leave messes like salad or stains on the floor, adding to cleanup frustrations. This is a specific complaint.
- Single-player mode is limited (weight 0.08): Single-player mode is described as limited, harder, and more boring, which reduces enjoyment for those playing alone. This is a consistent issue.
- Too many customers cause chaos (weight 0.05): High customer volume on busy days makes movement impossible and causes frustration. This adds to the game's difficulty and stress.
- One mistake can ruin everything (weight 0.05): A single mistake can end a run, making the game unforgiving and stressful. This is a specific gameplay criticism.
- Controls are awkward (weight 0.05): Default controls are unintuitive and awkward, which affects gameplay experience. This is a usability issue.
- Poor tutorial and descriptions (weight 0.05): The tutorial is poor with unclear item descriptions, giving barely any guidance. This hampers learning.
- Too much randomness (weight 0.05): Randomness from recipes and buildings is excessive, causing unpredictability. This is a moderate complaint.
- Wants more dish variety (weight 0.05): Players wish for more courses like starters, sides, and desserts, indicating a desire for expanded content. This is a niche request.
- Game strains friendships (weight 0.05): The game can lead to bickering with friends, suggesting it may strain relationships. This is a social concern.
- Poor Chinese translation (weight 0.05): The Chinese translation is poor and garbled, even after updates. This is a localization issue.
- Kitchen floor becomes slippery (weight 0.05): Oil splatter makes the kitchen floor slippery, causing slip hazards. This adds to gameplay difficulty.

Gameplay feedback:
- Automation and roguelike cooking game (weight 0.91): The game is primarily described as an automation-focused, roguelike cooking and restaurant management game that blends chaotic co-op gameplay with strategic planning and progression systems.
- Automation and strategic optimization (weight 0.67): A key feature is the automation of kitchen and restaurant tasks, allowing players to optimize workflows. Many reviews note the ability to automate recipes, dining areas, and upgrades, adding a strategic layer beyond pure chaos.
- Heavily compared to Overcooked (weight 0.43): Many reviews directly compare the game to 'Overcooked' and 'Overcooked 2', often calling it an 'Overcooked-like' or 'roguelike version of Overcooked', emphasizing similar cooperative chaos but with unique automation and restaurant management twists.
- Roguelike progression and randomness (weight 0.42): The game incorporates roguelike elements such as randomized layouts, upgrades, debuffs, and menu choices, leading to varied runs. This progression system, often with card pickups, is highlighted as adding replayability and challenge.
- Cooperative and multiplayer focus (weight 0.4): The game emphasizes cooperative, multiplayer gameplay, supporting local co-op, online multiplayer, and solo play. Most feedback highlights the need for team coordination and the chaotic fun of playing with friends or family.
- Restaurant management simulation elements (weight 0.37): The game is consistently described as a cooperative restaurant management simulation where players handle front-of-house (serving) and back-of-house (cooking) roles, with customization options for menu, layout, and automation.
- Chaotic and fun party game (weight 0.35): The game is described as a chaotic, cooperative party game that encourages fun interactions and tests friendships. It is considered noob-friendly but can be intense and challenging with progression.
- Supports both solo and multiplayer (weight 0.28): The game offers both single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes. While co-op is the core experience, solo play is also supported and considered viable, often with one-person operation.
- Comparison to other restaurant sims (weight 0.27): Beyond Overcooked, some comparisons are made to games like 'Satisfactory' and 'Penguin Diner', indicating a blend of automation and restaurant simulation familiar to those genres.
- Difficulty and challenge progression (weight 0.24): The game features multiple difficulty modes and progressively challenging recipes. The roguelike elements can force restarts due to debuffs, increasing the difficulty over time.
- Mod support mentioned (weight 0.21): A single mention of modding suggests the game may have mod support, which could be a niche but appreciated feature for community content.
- Progression and upgrade systems (weight 0.2): There is a clear progression system with upgrades, unlocking new dishes, and account-based progression. Players can enhance their restaurant through skill trees, card systems, and experience-based unlocks.
- Variety of food and recipes (weight 0.2): The game offers a wide variety of dishes and menu items, with recipes becoming increasingly complex. This diversity is seen as a positive aspect, adding depth and challenge.
- Customizable and randomized restaurant layouts (weight 0.17): Players can customize kitchen and restaurant layouts, but some elements are randomly generated. This mix of customization and randomness affects strategy and replayability.
- Role-based cooperative gameplay (weight 0.13): Some reviews mention clear role differentiation among players, such as chef, server, and busser, suggesting a structured cooperative experience where teamwork is essential.

Performance notes:
- Good performance on low-end hardware (weight 0.11): The game runs well on low-end PCs and low-performance computers, including an old Windows 10 laptop at 30fps. This makes the game accessible to players with less powerful systems.
- Occasional but significant lag (weight 0.06): Some players encounter occasional lag, while others face random latency issues that require a restart to fix. This unpredictability can make the game unplayable at times.
- Low resolution and graphics issues (weight 0.05): Some players report low resolution and low graphic power, which may be due to hardware limitations or optimization problems. This affects visual quality and immersion.
- Lag spikes affecting gameplay (weight 0.03): Players experience lag spikes that disrupt precise timing, making the game difficult to play smoothly during critical moments. This is especially problematic in competitive scenarios.
- Late-game performance degradation (weight 0.03): In the late game with many customers, lag increases noticeably, affecting the final stages of gameplay. This suggests performance issues under higher load conditions.
- Linux compatibility praised (weight 0.03): The game works well on Linux, which is positive feedback for Linux users. This indicates good cross-platform compatibility.
- Fans spinning loudly during gameplay (weight 0.03): The game causes fans to spin loudly, indicating high system resource usage. This could be a concern for players with sensitive hardware noise levels.

Recommendations:
- Best played with friends (weight 0.54): Many reviews highlight that the game is highly recommended and most enjoyable when played with friends or in groups, emphasizing the social and cooperative nature of the experience.
- Co-op mode recommended (weight 0.3): Multiple reviews stress that the game is particularly well-suited for cooperative play, whether in local or online co-op, and that it shines in these settings with friends.
- Not for solo play (weight 0.26): A significant cluster of feedback indicates that the game is not recommended for solo players, as it loses much of its appeal and is best enjoyed with a group or at least one other person.
- Compared to Overcooked (weight 0.25): The game is frequently described as a recommended alternative or addition to Overcooked, especially for fans of that series seeking a fresh, strategic, or less chaotic co-op cooking experience with roguelike elements.
- Strong overall recommendation (weight 0.18): Some feedback gives blanket recommendations, calling it a must-buy or strongly suggested without specific caveats, often with high ratings like 10/10.
- Great for co-op fans (weight 0.14): Reviews recommend the game highly for enthusiasts of chaotic, dynamic, and laughter-filled local co-op games, emphasizing its suitability for groups who enjoy planning and fast reactions together.
- Good value for money (weight 0.13): Several comments mention that the game offers good value, being fairly priced and worth the purchase, though a few suggest waiting for a sale or a specific price point.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.08): Some feedback states the game is not worth buying at current price, recommending it only on sale for a lower amount like $5, suggesting the value may not justify the full cost.
- Best with 2-4 players (weight 0.08): A few reviews specify that the game is ideal with a group size of 2 to 4 players, balancing interaction and chaos for optimal fun.
- Multiplayer focus (weight 0.08): Feedback also recommends the game for multiplayer enthusiasts in general, though some note it works for both single and multiplayer modes.
- Automation and cooking (weight 0.08): Some reviews appreciate the game's automation elements, comparing it to Factorio in a cooking setting, and recommend it for fans of simple cooking games with roguelite and mod features.
- Try demo first (weight 0.07): A few reviews advise trying the demo before buying to check compatibility and ensure the game suits your preferences.
- Cooking game fans (weight 0.05): The game is recommended specifically for fans of cooking games, as it fits that genre well with its theme and mechanics.
- Strategy preferred (weight 0.05): Some feedback indicates the game is better for players who enjoy strategic planning over fast reaction-based gameplay, as it involves careful decision-making.
- Only with friends (weight 0.05): A couple of reviews suggest the game is only recommended for those with friends, or for hardcore gamers who can handle stress, implying it may not be for casual solo players.
- Friendship test (weight 0.05): The game is described as great for groups wanting to test their friendship under pressure, adding a layer of challenge and bonding to the co-op experience.
- Solo viable too (weight 0.05): A minority of reviews mention that solo play is also viable due to automation features, making it suitable for some solo players despite the co-op focus.
- Great for both modes (weight 0.05): Some feedback highlights that the game is great for both solo and co-op play, though it shines brightest in co-op with friends.
- Pro-Overcooked challenge (weight 0.05): A couple reviews recommend it for pro-Overcooked players looking for more depth and challenge, suggesting it offers a more advanced or engaging experience for those fans.

Other player notes:
- Request more food dishes (weight 0.03): A single user expressed a desire for additional food dish options, suggesting the current selection may be limited or lacking variety.
- Contains self-promotion content (weight 0.02): One review included self-promotion directing readers to the reviewer's personal YouTube channel, which may not be constructive feedback about the game itself.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.15): The main causes for frustration include the lack of difficulty settings and tutorials, making the single-player experience highly punishing with no room for error. Players also cite repetitive gameplay, poor UI, and unresolved issues like automation and connection problems that hinder progress and enjoyment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoy the game due to its diverse recipes, non-repetitive gameplay, and high replayability. Playing with friends or partners, overcoming obstacles together, and the chaotic yet fun nature of the game contribute significantly to this emotion.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Satisfaction arises from the ability to customize and optimize one's restaurant, including automation and strategic planning. Players feel rewarded by mastering the game, achieving high scores, and building efficient kitchens, with the roguelike progression providing a sense of accomplishment.
- Excitement (weight 0.1): Excitement is driven by the chaotic and fun gameplay with friends, multiple game modes, and the endless possibilities for customization and automation. The fast-paced cooking action and the addictive 'just one more day' feeling keep players engaged.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players express love for the game due to its combination of favorite genres, high replayability, and enjoyable multiplayer experience. The freedom to arrange layouts, use mods, and the game's straightforward yet satisfying mechanics make it a go-to comfort game for many.
- Disappointment (weight 0.04): Disappointment stems from poor controls, UI, and lacking features like story mode or daily options. Players also feel let down by underwhelming aesthetics, bad localization, and updates that break beloved systems, making the game feel less polished than expected.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): Amusement is found in the chaotic and humorous situations that arise during gameplay, such as kitchen fires and friends struggling. Players enjoy the absurdity of serving many customers with limited resources and the inside jokes that develop from playing together.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy comes from the satisfaction of managing flow, serving, and getting great cards. Spending time with friends or a partner to laugh and share the experience is highlighted, with the game providing endless fun and laughter.
- Fun (weight 0.03): The game is considered fun due to its chaotic yet enjoyable nature, especially when playing with others. The variety of dishes, high replayability, and the ability to play with friends of any skill level contribute to the overall enjoyment.
- Stress (weight 0.02): Stress is experienced due to the game's high intensity, where orders pile up and time is limited. The pressure of playing alone or with others, and the high stakes of making mistakes, creates a fun but stressful environment.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is generated by issues like poor netcode, having to restart often, and the single-player experience feeling lacking. Updates that are disliked and the game's design causing frustration with friends also contribute to this emotion.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise comes from the game being more engaging and deeper than expected, with players finding themselves spending more time than planned. The roguelite elements and the build and automation level were highly appreciated, turning initial skepticism into positive experiences.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by minor issues like the UI, movement, and random drops that can be frustrating. Also, debuff cards and some upgrade mechanics that don't add value are pointed out as sources of irritation.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction arises from the addictive rush to keep playing, with players losing track of time. The roguelike progression and automation, along with the fun of making pizzas, contribute to the desire to play 'just one more day.'
- Obsession (weight 0.01): Obsession is expressed through high replayability and a constant drive to improve. Players hyperfixate on the game for months, neglecting other activities, while focusing on conveyor belts and speedrun maps.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness comes from enjoying the game with friends or a partner, with cooperative play making the experience less daunting. The sense of running a restaurant simulation together brings joy.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players hope for more updates with new recipes and content. They also wish for a sequel or expansion to keep the experience fresh and engaging.
- Pride (weight 0.01): Pride stems from being skilled at the game, preferring manual cooking or having high playtime. It is also felt when running a highly optimized kitchen and achieving success through ongoing effort.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from unclear device descriptions and inconsistent mechanics. Also, the sudden appearance of unexpected items and the need for external resources like wikis to understand upgrade systems contribute to this feeling.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is felt because the game is less stressful than Overcooked, with better online stability and customizable features that prevent conflicts. Losing is seen as less frustrating, and the game hits a sweet spot for those who found Overcooked too chaotic.}