Diner Dash

Reviewed by Christine Quidim
October 28, 2006

Developer: PlayFirst Publisher: GameLab, Brighter Minds Media Platform(s): PC, Mac, Mobile Number of Players: 1 Website: Click Here ESRB Rating: E for Everyone Review Rating: 7 out of 10

Having a boring day at the office? Or need to burn off some stress at the desk? Diner Dash may be the solution for your troubles. Jumping into this game will definitely steal your attention for a while.

Meet Flo: a former stock broker turned super restaurant owner/employee. As the player you take on Flo's service responsibilities such as seating customers, placing their orders, delivering the food, bringing the checks, bussing the tables, and a few extra courtesies in between. While performing these basic tasks you must, of course, deal with a variety of customer personalities and keep each of them happy in order to make the bucks. To add more puzzle to this strategy challenge, you can also multiply your earnings by matching customers with seats of the same color as their attire. This will come in handy to meet Flo's goals for each shift, whether she plans to upgrade the décor and equipment or add a new location to the chain.

The graphics in Diner Dash are fun-looking and not too complicated. One can run the software on a standard office computer, or even download the mobile phone version to play on the go. The music fits really well with the atmosphere of the game, but it's the same tune from start to finish. It wouldn't hurt to change it up here and there.

Game play overall is enjoyable and potentially addictive. With a quick easy-to-follow tutorial, the first portion of the game is fairly easy. However, as you advance further, Flo's goals increase to seemingly outrageous amounts under worsening conditions. You may find yourself not blinking at times and mouse-clicking (or button-pressing) as though your life depends on it. But this game is still fun, just in moderation. One thing that would have really improved the game play is more customization options. Players have no say in the restaurant upgrades or locations.

Diner Dash is a great choice for the casual gamer. It's filled with good, clean fun as well as a nice workout for the brain. The game doesn't last very long if you're an expert all the way. But fear not—there is a Diner Dash 2!

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