Turbo Fiesta Review

Like its predecessors, time management title Turbo Fiesta is notable for two reasons: a catchy, restaurant-themed presentation, and hyper-kinetic pacing. Offering more of the same food-slinging action fans know and love, it’s more of a cosmetic upgrade and change of scenery than a major step forward for the franchise. Still, if the average casual outing feels way too relaxed and low-key for your tastes, don’t be ashamed to download ASAP.

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Like its predecessors, time management title Turbo Fiesta is notable for two reasons: a catchy, restaurant-themed presentation, and hyper-kinetic pacing. Offering more of the same food-slinging action fans know and love, it’s more of a cosmetic upgrade and change of scenery than a major step forward for the franchise. Still, if the average casual outing feels way too relaxed and low-key for your tastes, don’t be ashamed to download ASAP.

Once again, dynamic duo Rebecca and short-order cook sidekick Robert are all about making a buck by slinging hot chuck to hungry patrons. Only now, having conquered pizza and subs, they’re taking their act into orbit, with the creation of the world’s first interstellar burrito joint. Set in a space-age bistro, complete with bean re-hydrators, atomic ovens and laser fryers, you’ll help them fill patrons’ constantly piling orders, and give the place a 21st century makeover.

As much about quality as quantity though, the challenge here lies mostly in finding ways to efficiently juggle multiple tasks, and please impatient tourists before they vamoose. Also lurking in the background is the ever-present specter of spies Sable and Raven Dagger, sent by the crafty Von Simoleon to sabotage the operation.

For the most part, the action takes place around a futuristic, circular counter, where customers arrive at various stations (and in growingly disconcerting numbers) to file their meal requests. Via thought bubble, they’ll order cola, ice cream, enchiladas and more, if not several of the above items. Your goal, as Rebecca, is simply to beat feet from one food station to the next, handing out menus, retrieving chow, adding extra cooking steps (baking, frying, etc.) and then serving as needed.

The catch being that task fulfillment can quickly reach insane speeds, and there’s often time delays – such as waiting for Robert to have the Robo Chef (a pair of robot arms) build an avocado burrito – that disrupt the flow of the action. Of course, customers are only so patient to boot, as indicated by a dwindling mood gauge, and tip less the longer they’ve waited, making it harder to meet the minimum cash targets required for daily advancement.

Mercifully, there’s a turbo meter that builds the more actions (serving up dishes, retrieving orders, collecting tips, etc.) you “combo,” or perform in immediate sequence. Fill enough stars, and the title kicks into hyper-drive, letting you move and perform jobs at a much faster rate. Do this three times over, and a new “Fiesta” mode is entered (complete with Mariachi music and piñata), wherein customers also stay happy for the duration, and food preparation and cooking times are eliminated.

Likewise, between levels, you can also use petty cash to cop equipment and personal upgrades including bigger burrito counters and robot helpers. These collectible goodies not only improve the visual look and feel of your establish. They also let you, for example, scurry about faster, hold three items instead of two and earn more money with every sale.

While hardly eye-opening stuff, it’s undeniably fun nonetheless, especially if you’ve never experienced such a frenetic spin on the typical task-balancing equation before. Moreover, much of the appeal comes not only from the outing’s insane speeds, but also the game’s charismatic presentation. Fusing attractively-animated characters (including bubby teens, square-jawed citizens and obese women with little dogs, all of whom sport different patience levels and tipping potential) with colorful backdrops, visuals couldn’t be bubblier. Still, it’s the brisk soundtrack, which offers upbeat remixes on popular tunes like the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme, that’ll really get your blood pumping.  

Sprinkle in a few odd bonus mini-game rounds (picture rotating circuits to create electrical conduits and restore the restaurant’s power), and it’s a winning recipe. Just don’t blame us if you’ll need two Tylenol, warm cup of tea and relaxing bath to wind down after playing. Merely more of what fans already know and love, Turbo Fiesta‘s highly formulaic, yes, yet also plenty hot and spicy. And, for that matter, all but certain to having you sweating bullets…

The good

    The bad

      80 out of 100