Ravenous Devils | PS4 Review

Paying homage to the infamous Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and his crazed female accomplice the developers over at Troglobytes Games have created a cooking simulator with a similar premise. A blend of murder and mealtime spearheaded by sinister shop owners Percival, and his beloved wife Hildred. These con artists, and partners in crime who have a bad habit disappearing their customers for product and moneymaking sake try to hide their dirty deeds through the guise of a multi-floor fashion boutique and indoor cafe wherever they set up shop. Their customers serve as cannibal cuisine as well as a means to gather the fabrics needed for Percival to tailor some fine threads for male and female patrons. Whereas Hildred acts as the resident chef. Honing her culinary skills as she learns new recipes to whet the appetites of those who are unknowingly addicted to the taste of human flesh. 

While they may have narrowly escaped their first failed attempt at this lucrative endeavor they have found themselves elsewhere doing the same dastardly thing, but this time at the beckon call of a mystery man who seemingly knows their secret. A man of wealth and taste, as it were. Caught between a bloody business scheme, and trying not to get outed by the mysterious Mr. J, Percival and Hildred must not only outwit their customers, and make bank doing so, but must also tend to their mystery manipulator as well.

As both Percival, and Hildred the player must carefully micro-manage a timed routine wherein they prep the floors of their shop using the clothes and corpses of those they murder in each playthrough. Alternating between chores, and demands that include cooking and minding meals, serving those disgusting dishes, tailoring clothes, and gaining fresh stock from the occasional customer looking to get fitted for a new suit or dress. The end goal being to make as much money as possible within the allotted time.

At the basement of the vivisected 2.5D establishment lies the bakery itself. Complete with ovens, preparation tables, and instruments used in dealing with the preparation of human meat. Things like a table for prepping steak, ovens, a sausage mill, and a meat grinder for meat pies or burgers being among the equipment utilized. Alternatively, on the first floor you'll find the actual cafe where dishes are set for purchase and consumption. A place for tables where orders can be taken, and where employees can serve those in need while Hildred tends to meat preparation below. And above that venue, up on the second floor, lies the Percival's personal tailor shop. A place where he can dress mannequins in the store front with his latest outfits for sale. Just beyond that entrance an adjoining room with door access wherein lies the scene for killing, the dumping of the bodies down a trap door leading to the basement, and the tailoring. A front for the true heart of the business.

During each time cycle you will have to meticulously tend to the tasks on each floor cycling between Percival, and Hildred on their respective floors while directing them to do what it is they need to be doing by moving a light cylinder on and in front of the interactable set pieces. As you do so customers will come in either expecting food or clothing. That or the suit/dress fitting in which the opportunity for more meat and fabric presents itself. Timing what it is you do is crucial in that it not only effects your moneymaking, but also your overall reputation. 

Food services, and tailor services are graded on a good, mixed, and bad level depending on how well you are able to meet demands. Something that's tallied at the end of each customer cycle. This reputation ties into the customer patience gauges that will start of green, but drain to red the longer they wait. If you wait too long to serve your product they'll leave angry ultimately deducting money, and tarnishing the customers view of your services. Possibly exposing your efforts. You'll also need to prioritize your focus while you can, and make sure you aren't caught in the tailor department as blood stains spotted can end your run. Of course this is remedied by properly disposing of the bodies, and mopping up afterwards.

With the money you make after each customer cycle you'll be able to upgrade your cooking equipment, it's speed/efficiency, and the various serving options. You'll even be able to buy new recipes, and attire for both Percival and Hildred. The more you earn, and progress the more these options are made available. Thus it is imperative that you manage your time wisely, and spend your money in the most beneficial and lucrative ways.

In addition to the grind that is prepping, stocking, supplying, and opening up shop for business you'll find certain key characters will come into play. These characters, like Mr. J, will either contact your through mail letters, or visit you in cutscenes where their role in the plot is made known. Sometimes opening up new business opportunities, and items of interest. The bottom line with the customers, and these key characters is to keep your secret under wraps while continuing to make bank. It's a risky business all about how you handle the meat market.

The Verdict ...

I'm actually surprised this is being allowed on the PS4. Not that I'm against it, but this is one of the goriest, and bloodiest indie games I've ever seen. The idea of making a game about cannibal cuisine, and having it turned into an interactive cooking simulator for gamers is an interesting move on the developers' behalf. It's bold for sure, and likely won't suit every gamers' taste. That being said it does what it does very well. It gives you free reign to operate as you please after showing you the ropes, and in a way actually teaches proper business etiquette. The only issues I saw were the occasional animation glitches, and the delay in the in the appointed task being followed through at times. Other than that it was an addictive experience, and the fact that they included story elements that make you want to stay tuned in for what happens next really makes the time invested in a playthrough worthwhile. The fact that progress is saved after each shop cycle is a huge plus. If you can get past the horror side of it, and enjoy that kind of thing, I do believe you'll get your money's worth out of this title!