Blu-ray BD-Java Reviews

Ratatouille Review

It's always a a real treat to see how Disney packages its next blockbuster title. Ever since Pirates of the Caribbean and the Liar's Dice game, the mouse factory has been absolutely top-notch when it comes to rolling out superior, innovative and cutting-edge BD-J titles. This trend continues in its newest release, with Ratatouille sporting a rather innovative game that puts you in the place of a master chef.


Disney provides the usual glossy brochure to assist people who want to learn about the game rules. Click on thumbnails for a detailed image. © The Walt Disney Company.

Much more so than any other studio, Disney elevates extra features in its titles, and here provides the usual glossy brochure to assist people who want to learn about the game rules. Gusteau's Gourmet game is also highlighted in the Main menu, is a part of the the glossy Blu-ray disc cover, and is even advertised on the platic wrapping!

The game itself is fairly straightforward, although it takes some skill (and really fast reading comprehension and twitchy fingers) to be able to read and respond to the instructions given onscreen.

The entire game takes place in the frenetic confines of Gusteau's Parisian restaurant. © The Walt Disney Company.

The entire game takes place in the frenetic confines of Gusteau's Parisian restaurant. You are a chef in the kitchen and orders come flying in fast and furious from diners coming into the restaurant. It is your job to fulfill these orders in a timely manner and assure that Gusteeau's Parisian restaurant retains its star rating.

The cooking area is divided into four main sections. © The Walt Disney Company.

The cooking area is divided into four main sections, and each meal that comes in has to be prepared in the correct station. As each meal request ticket comes in, you have to quickly get to the correct section, then scroll through the menu and pick the correct meal. You then have to assemble the meal by finding the ingredients from a scrolling list and add them to your dish using the correct quantities. Once you have finished a dish, you can indicate to the staff that it can be served to the diners.

The game is made more difficult by the fact that you have to prepare meals within a specific amount of time, or the star rating of the reaturant, which is indicated by star icons on the upper corner of the screen, will continue to decrease.

Gameplay is fairly straightforward and should not confuse anyone but the most obtuse sort of person, and the graphics are top-notch, as is to be expected in any Disney work. The most interesting thing about it is perusing the long list of dishes and the ingredients that make them. I must admit I am no great cook, but it was pretty fascinating to read about all the different French dishes. In fact, I ended up copying the names of some dishes that particularly intrigued me and looking them up for future reference.

If you have no plans on becoming a master chef, but are intrigued by the nuances of the trade, then this game serves up a remarkably fun way of learning the ups and downs and secrets of the profession.

NOTE: All images in this article are copyright to The Walt Disney Company.. They are not meant to correctly depict the actual representation of the movie in high-definition.

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