Best Multitasking Games Like Overcooked

Local co-op-focused games are something of a “lost art”, often overshadowed by the rise of competitive online games and single-player epics. But Ghost Town Games and Team17 proved such a style can still be interesting and exciting. They’ve done this with their surprise indie hit Overcooked and its beefed-up sequel. The games bring a fun arcade sensibility with their simple mechanics and frantic gameplay on the one hand.

At the same time, they truly do their own thing, emphasizing multitasking and collaborating with others. This has spawned similar efforts (especially in the indie scene) — though there are also comparable titles that predate it. These are some of the most fun and interesting games Overcooked fans should love. For the most part, they stress coordination and juggling different tasks on the fly, usually (but not always) through multiplayer.

Updated February 4, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia: Once upon a time, Overcooked stood largely alone with its unique brand of party gameplay and frantic co-op multitasking. Few managed to strike that delicate balance of casual social gaming and hardcore precision like Team17’s social game. Fast-forward several years, and the game has helped cook up a whole subgenre of task-juggling games often held together by teamwork. They’ve become a fun alternative to the usual minigame fest, racing romp, or fighting brawls often played with friends and siblings. And with the cold weather limiting outdoor activities and adding more appeal to these social games, it seemed fitting to revisit and add a few more notable entries to this list.

30

Think Of The Children

Steam Score: 69%

• Platform: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
• Released: October 19, 2017
• Developer: Jammed Up Studios
• Genre: Action, Party

Being a parent can be hectic and stressful, to say the least. But at least when it comes to this amusing romp from Jammed Up Studios, players can have fun doing so — absent real consequences. Described as a ‘co-op parenting simulator’, the goals are roughly what one would expect; keep the wild little ones under control and safe without much mess or embarrassment.

Multitasking is an understatement here, as parents will be frantically doing things like setting tables, fending off rabid dogs, and tending to BBQ cooking, all within a range of busy settings. There is much to manage in this colorful sim, organized somewhat by a checklist of tasks, and since the kids are usually out to start trouble, there’s rarely a dull moment to be had.

Players can tackle this one alone, but as is the case in real life, a second parent makes things somewhat more manageable.

29

Out Of Space

Steam Score: 79%

• Platform: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5
• Released: February 26, 2020
• Developer: Behold Studios
• Genre: Strategy, Party

This game brings a familiar aesthetic of vibrant visuals and an isometric view of multi-room layouts, along with co-op chaos — though from there, things largely diverge from Overcooked. In fact, Out of Space tends to share as many parallels to The Sims as Team17’s cooking game. The game plops multiple players in an outer space scenario as roommates.

There, they must build and maintain their space house — all while gathering resources for upgrades, clearing messes, and even dealing with alien infestations. With ample action and tons to do in the procedurally generated maps, there’s plenty of laugh-out-loud fun here, extended by updated challenges and events that add twists.

This game can be played solo, though it’s not easy (even with just two players) — and in deep space, can get a tad isolating. Luckily, Out of Space also offers online multiplayer.

28

Baby Storm

Steam Score: 90%

• Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
• Released: May 12, 2023
• Developer: Baby Corp
• Genre: Action, Simulation

Perhaps one of the only tasks more stressful than cooking several meals is tending to several babies and toddlers. Players assume the role of a kindergarten teacher with her hands full, as she must scramble about her classroom in a futile attempt to maintain order. Objectives mostly revolve around subduing the rowdy kiddies and keeping them under control.

These include chores like giving toys, changing diapers, feeding, cleaning, and breaking up squabbles. While this may sound more anxiety-inducing than fun, the aptly named studio Baby Corp manages to make this cute sim amusing and exciting. This is especially the case when unlocking more complex settings and dealing with babies laced with powers.

Baby Storm can be played solo, though it’s advised to team up with a few more adults.

27

Factorio

Steam Score: 97%

Standing some distance from Overcooked in many avenues, Factorio is a rather involved resource management and building game, instead of the casual partier that is Team17’s romp. Still, the game shares some overlap when it comes to its demand for shifting between distinct tasks and keeping things running smoothly.

In this case, players must build automated factories scattered about a large 2D world, which in turn churn out usable items. All the while, builders will need to stave off hostile creatures that inhabit these areas. Factorio utilizes a Sim City-esque crafting system that holds a fairly steep learning curve, to be sure. Yet, it proves immensely rewarding once the rules and mechanics are locked down, and players absorb the various moving pieces and chugging assembly lines.

26

Trash Patrol

Steam Score: 69%

• Platform: PC
• Released: May 17, 2022
• Developer: MediaCube Games
• Genre: Action, Party, Simulation

MediaCube Game’s amusing indie runs with a similar Overcooked vibe of top-down views and item shuffling — and adds quite a bit of raccoon mischief. Trash Patrol has players running wild as the pesky critters as they scurry and rummage through houses, grabbing what they can.

The kickers are that they must evade the homeowner and wash their newly-obtained goodies — because what self-respecting raccoons want dirty items? Up to three other teammates can be utilized to bait the homeowners and reach hard-to-get goods. While lacking the polish and depth of Team17’s hit, Trash Patrol is even more unapologetically wild and festive.

25

Surgeon Simulator 2

Metascore: 70

• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Released: September 2, 2021
• Developer: Bossa Studios
• Genre: Action, Simulation

Like the Overcooked games, this is a frantic arcade-style sim that will have multiple players fumbling through various tasks. While bobbling tasks in Team17’s game simply lead to grumpy, hungry customers, Surgeon Simulator 2 puts lives on the line. These high stakes — coupled with precise controls, wonky physics, and deep surgical procedures — produce a uniquely tense experience.

The sequel to the 2013 sleeper hit dials up the depth and toughness, injecting co-op gameplay and a story mode that immerses players. Like Overcooked, there are some funny moments to be had, thanks to cartoony visuals as well as bizarre circumstances and physics.

24

Cake Mania

Score: 3.64 User Score On GameFAQs

• Platforms: PC, DS, Wii, PS2, and PSP
• Released: September 15, 2006
• Developer: Sandlot Games
• Genre: Strategy, Simulation

As one might expect, there are ample parallels between Overcooked and this multitasking pressure cooker, with a key difference being that the player must scramble to serve dishes solo here. Of course, another distinction (aside from the 2D aesthetic) is that cakes alone are the focus. But while its gameplay just revolves around crafting one treat, that doesn’t mean Cake Mania is any less thrilling or tough.

The series began as a Flash-based time management game in 2006. This eventually became a popular mobile game, and even saw releases on Wii and PS2. Still, it’s hard to beat the charm of the original, which (despite being fairly crude) shines for its gripping, accessible gameplay.

23

Witchtastic

Steam Score: 90%

• Platforms: PC, Switch
• Released: October 26, 2021
• Developer: Red Fur Games
• Genre: Action, Party, Simulation

Described as Overocoked with a witchy overlay, Witchtastic has up to four sorcerers scrambling through Gothic, rustic, and autumn-themed locales to whip up potions. Similarly, players will work simultaneously to brew their concoctions by grabbing different ingredients cued by dozens of recipes on screen.

Rather than pizza dough and burgers, players will be working with garlic, mushrooms, and nightshade. A few other unique elements are sprinkled in to align more with Witchtastic‘s themes. These include creatures that stun and collectible wood to keep the cauldron burning. In another departure, the game offers an entertaining solo mode to amp up the multitasking.

22

39 Days To Mars

Steam Score: 84%

• Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
• Released: April 25, 2018
• Developer: It’s Anecdotal
• Genre: Puzzle (Physics), Adventure

This hand-drawn puzzler is a huge departure from the colorful Overcooked – and most other games for that matter. Still, the emphasis on communication and multitasking certainly has some overlap. 39 Days to Mars has players tinkering with several weird, inventive puzzles to progress and repair their inspiring steampunk ship.

The campaign is slim, but the “outside the box” thinking and juggling of several tasks set the stage for extended trial and error sessions. Objectives span from controlling a space bicycle to simply fixing some tea. Players can technically tackle this one solo by juggling more tasks, though relying on the AI adds a huge layer of challenge that can be tough to overcome.

21

Potion Party

Steam Score: 91%

• Platform: PC, PS4, Switch
• Released: April 8, 2021
• Developer: RPGames
• Genre: Management, Simulation

Overcooked fans will definitely sense some familiarity when it comes to this funny, frantic couch co-op, which swaps cooking with alchemy. In this colorful pixel-art romp, players must scramble in tandem with up to three others to create potions and manage their growing alchemy shop.

Along the way, they’ll cultivate fruits to be combined for potions, rack up money, and utilize special skills. Added to this is the ability to spruce up the store with decorations, unlock new unique characters, and upgrade tools to concoct more complex, valuable potions. Despite its flat aesthetic, the game adds a new dimension to this co-op cooking/crafting formula by featuring baddies and intruders that can sabotage the alchemists.

20

Storage Inc.

Score: 3.25 User Score on GameFaqs

• Platforms: Xbox 360/XBLA
• Released: August 2009
• Developer: Stolpskott Studios
• Genre: Action, Simulation

In true Overcooked spirit, Storage Inc. takes a seemingly mundane task and makes it hectic and fun, this time centering around warehouse work. Players will need to buckle down as they shuffle, pack, and deliver packages around using a forklift. The premise might seem simple on the surface. However, there’s a fair bit of micromanaging, navigation, and coordination that can be overwhelming at first.

The 2017 sequel adds fluidity and action to the experience, bringing streamlined multiplayer and more complex jobs into the fold. But despite being an early-comer of the recent indie boom, this XBLA original from 2009 still shines.

Steam Score: 79%

• Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Switch
• Released: December 3, 2019
• Developer: The Knights of Unity
• Genre: Action, Simulation, Party

Tools Up! from The Knights of Unity is to home renovation what Overcooked is to cooking and baking. Outside the vastly different themes, the core gameplay rings quite similar to Team17’s party game.

Though the experience is a bit rough around the edges, scrambling with a friend to move furniture and tear down wallpaper is more enjoyable than one might expect. It’s an amusing alternative for Overcooked fans looking to branch out and try something different.

18

Lumberhill

Steam Score: 78%

• Platform: PC, Switch
• Released: June 13, 2021
• Developer: 2BIGo, ARP Games
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Simulation

In Lumberhill, players will need to work together to take on hostile forces — including those of nature. With a slew of obstacles and elaborate maps, gamers will quickly find that there’s far more to this romp than nature walks and chopping down trees.

They’ll control determined lumberjacks set on chopping as much wood as possible amidst animal attacks, slim pathways, and hazards that include lightning and even falling meteors. Players will need to access tough-to-reach lumber mills by hopping across rivers, dealing with harsh weather, and evading angry dinosaurs. And this must all be achieved while racing against the clock.

This title can accommodate a single player more than the likes of Overcooked, though this is not recommended given its difficulty.

17

Conduct Together!

Metascore: 80

• Platforms: Switch and PC
• Released: December 6, 2018
• Developer Northplay
• Genre: Action, Puzzle, Party

Much of the excitement of Overcooked comes from racing against the ticking clock and completing the job on demand. It’s much the same with this even more intense game, which is described as a “party railroad game.” That about sums it up — as Conduct Together! takes the job of navigating trains and adds intense, fun twists with its frantic arcade gameplay.

Players must shift from multiple points of interest, as various trains will be chugging along different paths. The goal is to guide each train to its station and pick up commuters, all while evading each other and avoiding crashes.

16

Plate Up!

Steam Score: 95%

• Platform: PC, Switch
• Released: Aug 4, 2022
• Developer: It’s Happening
• Genre: Management, Roguelite

Plate Up! by developer It’s Happening seems to offer most of the same flavors of Overcooked on the surface, and on one level it does. Though the game spices things up with punishing roguelite progression as well as sim and management bits.

The need to build upon and decorate restaurants, as well as utilize abilities while serving food, demands teamwork, speed, and communication. The procedurally generated locales ensure players will never get too comfortable during this chaotic scramble to satiate customers.

With so much to do — from cooking to designing to placing appliances — players will want to team up with multiple friends and allocate tasks wisely. While some may be turned off by its complexity, this is a great choice for Overcooked master chefs looking to dial up the challenge.

15

Unrailed!

Steam Score: 93%

Fittingly, Unrailed revolves around up to four players working with haste to construct train tracks through blocky worlds in real-time. While this can be tricky enough given all the chaos and ambiguous visuals, studio Indoor Astronaut also keeps gamers off-balance with procedurally generated landscapes.

On top of this, players must share a limited selection of tools to work. As the game chugs along, players can get a better grasp on the situation by getting aid from other inhabitants and upgrading the train, to avoid the disastrous prospect of derailment.

14

Space Food Truck

Steam Score: 71%

• Platform: PC, iOS
• Released: March 25, 2016
• Developer: One Man Left Studios
• Genre: Party, Strategy

Thought rapid-fire meal prep was intense? How about trying to perform these actions in a small food truck in space? Blending sci-fi themes with aspects of cooking, card games, and even a bit of Oregon Trail-esque survival, Space Food Truck makes a unique, delightful co-op game.

Players are put in procedurally generated galaxies as they seek alien ingredients to prepare and serve to planets from their “Galaxy Gourmet” ship. In the meantime, they must work through various random elements and deal with the looming dangers of outer space. Assuming players are willing to deal with the tough grind, Space Food Truck serves as an enjoyable and fresh title.

13

Good Job!

Metascore: 78

• Platform: Switch
• Released: March 26, 2020
• Developer: Paladin Studios
• Genre: Puzzle, Action

Managing a megacorporation has never been so enjoyable! Overcooked fans may recognize Good Job‘s similar fusion of puzzle, party, and co-op gameplay with this romp from 2020.

The game tasks players with overseeing and completing increasingly complex office jobs. These range from setting up projectors to transporting objects with slingshots. The game keeps the virtual CEO on their toes, with over 30 floors of unique trials to work through and obstacles (figurative and literal) to navigate.

12

Joggernauts

Steam Score: 90%

An obscure sidescrolling indie might seem like a far cry from a cooking-based party romp. But at its core, this colorful game from Space Mace and Graffiti Games is Overcooked-esque in its co-op focus, multitasking, and quick decision-making. Whether playing cohesively with others or shifting tasks alone, the game brings a uniquely tricky journey.

The name of the game is to sort out color-coded avatars while chugging forward, which corresponds to platforms and other elements. Bringing the right color forward allows players to progress through color coordination. Meanwhile, mismatching the colors often leads to a swift death or pitfall. Joggernauts is truly a fun, inventive spin on the puzzler/platformer that has players think and act differently.

11

Catastronauts

Steam Score: 70%

• Platforms: Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
• Released: September 1, 2016
• Developer: Simon Prefontaine
• Genre: Action

Those few who have discovered this hidden gem have often called it “Overcooked in space”, and to a degree, this is true. Though this 2018 romp from Inertia Game Studios shines a unique celestial charm. Rather than whipping up meals, up to four players will man a spaceship, working to keep it running smoothly and ward off attacks in the process.

This means arming torpedoes, evading solar flairs, and extinguishing fires in a manner much like Team17’s game. Catastronauts feels like the more chaotic Overcooked 2 with dynamic settings and thrilling action happening around the players.