Outerloop, an indie game developer, gained attention a few years back with their game “Thirsty Suitors,” a unique blend of role-playing battles, cooking, and skating intertwined with a heartfelt narrative about a young woman’s journey reconnecting with her family and facing a quirky lineup of ex-lovers.
Their latest release, “Dosa Divas,” stays true to its predecessor’s essence but refines the gameplay, delivering a more polished experience. The game revolves around a story of family reconciliation set in a colorful and fantastical world, offering a realistic narrative despite its whimsical backdrop.
One notable drawback of “Dosa Divas” is its potential to leave players craving more content – more rhythm-based battles, cooking challenges, and deeper insights into the endearing characters. It feels akin to the first season of a hit streaming series that leaves audiences wanting additional episodes to fully explore its elements.
The central plot of “Dosa Divas” follows sisters Samara and Amani, who once managed a family restaurant inherited from their parents. Amani returns home after a decade, aiming to make up for lost time with Samara and the rest of the family. Meanwhile, their younger sister Lina has established a vast enterprise selling a food substitute called Lina Meals, which has garnered a devoted following. Lina seems determined to eliminate traditional cooking practices, favoring corporate profits over culinary traditions and human connections.
The game delves into the contrasting worlds of the sisters – emphasizing themes of cooking, bonding, and solidarity versus profit-driven motives at the expense of humanity. As players progress through the approximately 10-hour gameplay, they uncover the intricate history of the siblings, including interactions with their retired parents and former restaurant colleagues.
Additionally, the game introduces a subplot featuring Goddess, a sentient robot cum food truck that accompanies Samara and Amani on their journey and serves as the third member in battles. The other DIVAs, sentient robots aligned with the main cast, present challenging boss encounters, intertwining a mythical element within the grounded narrative of the sisters.
“Dosa Divas” gameplay revolves around three main aspects: exploration of various locations during Samara and Amani’s quest, engaging in turn-based battles inspired by classic RPGs, and crafting dishes to serve hungry inhabitants. The combat system involves strategic decision-making and timing-based mechanics, reminiscent of classic RPG titles like “Final Fantasy” and “Dragon Quest.”
Players gather ingredients through foraging, fishing, or purchases to create dishes catering to specific flavor preferences. The cooking process incorporates mini-games such as chopping vegetables or spreading dosa batter, providing a diverse gameplay experience. Despite some minor challenges with the cooking mechanics, players gradually adapt to the system, forming a rewarding loop of exploration, culinary creation, and combat progression.
The game’s narrative depth reflects Outerloop’s creative prowess, considering the studio’s modest team size. However, some narrative threads may feel underdeveloped due to time constraints, leaving intriguing characters and storylines partially explored. The game confronts dark themes amidst its vibrant visuals, shedding light on issues of exploitation and class disparities within the narrative.
Ultimately, “Dosa Divas” offers a poignant depiction of family dynamics and reconciliation, presenting a heartfelt narrative seldom explored in gaming. While it may lack the mechanical complexity of higher-budget RPGs, its emotional depth and sensitivity set it apart, leaving players eager for Outerloop’s future projects.
“Dosa Divas” is currently available for PCs and major gaming consoles, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.
