This is where things start to get really interesting. You're given nine slots to equip items and ingredients to help you in each round, and equipping the wrong cookware or battle gear means you might not have the tools necessary to complete your objectives in the allotted time. Equipping damage multipliers, like stronger magic attacks or double daggers, to kill enemies in the battle segments faster rewards you with more ingredients. Using elemental cookware might give you a combo bonus or allow you to combine ingredients with ease, resulting in a more flavorful dish, but may also limit the types of gems you can use in a given recipe. It’s a smart system that rewards your skill in using different gear sets and planning ahead.
Occasionally, however, you’re left to guess what gear you might need for an upcoming encounter, giving it a trial-and-error feel. A judge might have a taste for a fire or earth-based dish, but you’ve arrived to the party with gear that favors water elements, which can result in needing to repeat cook-offs once you’re properly informed. Even in these scenarios, though, I was excited to change up my strategy or gear and shoot for higher scores.It’s all wrapped together in a lovingly hand-drawn art style, with a particular attention to tiny details. Mina’s hair blows in the breeze as she charges through battle, pieces confetti slowly drift through town after a celebration, small things that go a long way to convey feeling. And, while there are scant few locations to explore, the Miyazaki-esque character design and animation impressed throughout.