Written by: Mark

 

 

 

"Diner Dash" is the hit PC, Nintendo DS and I-Phone game which sees the player taking control of a waitress named Flo whom works in one of the busiest restaurants around which has a constant stream of customers.

 

The main objective of the game is to ensure that all customers are seated and served as quickly as possible. Sounds a simple concept? In many ways it is however when you look further into the game what you actually have is a very addictive family friendly time management game.

 

Personally I have always seen the Xbox Live Arcade as being the platform to release games which are best for having a quick blast which is perfect for those whom have busy lifestyles and in most cases this is backed up with the majority of games currently available. Admittedly there are exceptions such as the brilliant Shadow Complex which stands out for it’s depth and longevity.

 

With this in mind I was always kind of expecting Diner Dash to make the transition to XBLA as it seems the perfect game for the system and for 800ms points what you will find is a game which although may appear basic actually offers a surprising amount of gameplay with the added bonus of online and local multiplayer.

 

 

The only downside may be that the game does appear in many ways a little too cute and lean towards being a kids only game and despite having millions of players on the PC, Nintendo DS and I-phone versions this may have a negative effect on XBLA sales. Personally I hope that this is not the case and if you can look beyond it’s looks you may actually enjoy what you are about to play.

 

OK, so you get the message that Diner Dash is designed to be overly cute and family friendly and lets face it how many hardcore gamers want to take on the role of a waitress named Flo?? Probably not many!

 

Graphically the overall look is a little on the basic side if I am being honest with only the lead character having any kind of charm. Customers all look the same and do not have any interactions with any of the different (yet pretty well animated) diners found in the game which is slightly disappointing.

 

For those that may be new to the Diner Dash experience this may be a little off putting and what you have to remember is that whilst the game may never win any awards for it’s presentation where it does stand out is in the form of the very addictive and time consuming gameplay.

 

Gameplay is the one area where Diner Dash really shines. As stated earlier it may appear simple in that the objectives are to get customers seated, orders taken, food delivered, payments taken and tables cleared as quickly as possible but this soon becomes compelling as the pace hots up.

 

 

As difficulty increases customers begin to arrive a queue at a much faster rate and if they are not seated and served as quickly as possible soon become unimpressed to the point of wanting to leave which sees the game being over. Alongside this customers come in in varying numbers which adds to the concentration and forward thinking needed in order to ensure that they are sat at correct tables and that there are no spare seats.