Restaurant Empire Review

Restaurant Empire Review

Review by Alice Flynn

Alice Flynn is a gaming enthusiast and journalist from Los Angeles, CA. She is currently obsessed with obscure foreign dramas, making tofu taste edible and the latest, greatest computer games.

Build a Popular Restaurant

Restaurant Empire is a game that gives players a taste of what running a restaurant is really like. You will play the role of Armand LeBoeuf, nephew of famous French restaurateur Armand LeBoeuf. Your goal will be to restore your uncle's restaurant to its former glory. Does this game deliver a satisfying restaurant simulation experience? Read on to find out!

The Complexities of Running a Successful Restaurant

If you have ever been frustrated by a lack of realism in games of this type, this is the game for you. Restaurant Empire presents a restaurant as a complete, interdependent system where one thing has an impact on everything else. This complex system allows for high levels of tinkering and management which in turn leads to a very full experience on the part of the player. Everything can be adjusted to yield better and better results.

The player is given free reign of everything, even during the exhaustive tutorial. Once the tutorial is over, this game won't be holding your hand. You may feel free to take your restaurant in any direction you want, completing the missions the way you see fit.

Choose your staff, recipes, and interior design. Everything has a set of stats and attributes that effect the overall rating of your restaurant. Strategy in the management of the establishment is essential for success. If you love to analyze and strategize, this game will be just perfect for you.

Little Details Bring the Game World to Life

This game has a surprising amount of depth. Rather than simply providing the most basic information about recipes, the game instead offers up enticing descriptions of each and every dish. Ingredients are explained with a flare that Food Network would be proud of, and relevant historical facts are sometimes included as well. You will likely find yourself seeking out local restaurants that serve some of the dishes featured in this game. Yummy!

The decorations have the same amount of detailing, giving the feeling of really decorating an uber posh dining establishment. You may take as much or as little time on the aesthetic of the restaurant as you like.

Hire and Fire

Having the right staff for your restaurant is crucial for success, but better help equals higher pay in return. On the other hand, cheaping out on help results in customer dissatisfaction and lower earnings. Balancing the need for quality help with the funds on hand is key to running a successful restaurant. Is someone just not cutting it? Fire at will!

Surprisingly Long Game

This game is long in addition to being incredibly complex. 15 different missions will keep you playing for a long time to come. Very nice.

Four Game Speeds to Suit Everyone

For the fan of casual gaming, normal speed is where it's at. For the impatient, simply speed things up. 2x, 3x and 4x speeds give you complete control over your own personal gameplay experience. An ingame month can go by in the blink of an eye at 4x speed. Most players will likely opt to play at a lower speed, but it's a very nice touch to have the choice.

Grown Up Design and Storyline

The art style of Restaurant Empire is serious and grown up without a hint of zaniness or silliness. Everything is elegant and classy, from the buildings to the posh interiors. If you've found yourself frustrated with the childishness of other games, this game will be a breath of fresh air. It's classy but never boring.

The storyline isn't particularly deep, but it is clearly aimed at the more mature crowd. Dear uncle frequently refers to the fact that the stress of the competitive restaurant business caused his prostate to "act up", whatever that means.

Menus, Toolbars and Submenus Galore

This game is complicated! The tutorial goes over most everything you need to know, but it's hard to remember where everything is located. In time, the complex controls will become second nature, but until that time it's very difficult to get around.

Little things like rotating furniture are pretty hard to do as well. If only this could have been made simpler! Crazy as it sounds, adding a menu to objects such as furniture when they are right clicked would have saved players a lot of headache. Nevertheless, the game is good enough to justify the learning curve.

Graphics Are a Blast From the Past

The graphics in this game would have been excellent in the mid to late 90's, but are very dated by today's standards. Choppy isn't even the word for it. However, the graphics are only dated, not bad per se. For what they are, they're very good. A lot of love and care went into the art design, despite the limitations of the graphics themselves. The result is a curiously well detailed, classic looking game.

Where the game really shines is in the look of the buildings. The landscapes and architecture look superb. The interior elements are fantastic as well, with rich fabrics and finely detailed furniture. Most importantly of all, the food looks good enough to eat. Bon appetit!

The Customer is Always Right

An innovative feature in this game is the fact that you will receive feedback directly from your own customers. This is a unique way for the game to provide suggestion and direction in an indirect way. Following the advice of your customers leads to a better and more successful restaurant overall, so always take what they have to say seriously.

Conclusion - An Excellent Restaurant Sim That's Fun to Play

This game is a brilliant representation of restaurant management from the bottom up. It's complex and detailed without being bogged down with excessive features. Restaurant Empire is nice and long, guaranteeing many hours of entertainment. As such, this game scores 8.0. An absolute must play for anyone who enjoys a good business simulation game.