I was given Stand O’Food 3 without any previous knowledge of the past two games in the Stand O’Food trilogy. I figured it would just be some casual game that took minimal effort to play, and was ready to dismiss it the moment I had it installed.

Boy was I wrong.

Make no qualms about it: Stand O’Food 3 is very much a casual game, but in the way that Robot Unicorn Attack or Peggle are. They may be pick-up-and-play productions, but they still have that “just one more level” appeal that instantly makes them addicting. In this case, Stand O’Food 3 is addicting because it employs the classic gameplay of Diner Dash, the retro game that has you creating meals and burgers and whatnot for impatient customers.

Stand O’Food 3 takes that formula and refines it a bit by adding the ability to upgrade the tools at your disposal, along with special sauces and condiments that are added to your foods for maximum profit. The variety of the game is pretty impressive; while I was initially led to believe I’d just be running a few burger stands, I was introduced to the cake bakery and lasagna restaurant expansions. Those provide additional challenge and just enough spice in the classic formula to fuel your addiction further.

With 25 levels, your addiction will be in full force. I’d bought LA Noire in the same week I received Stand O’Food 3, and I actually ended up playing the latter more than Rockstar’s latest masterpiece. What can I say; I guess I’m a sucker for insanely addicting remixes of classic games.

There’s not much more to say about Stand O’Food 3. There is actually some kind of narrative behind the game and even a love interest type thing, but really, it’s just a retooled Diner Dash. If you like Diner Dash, pick this one up. If you get easily addicted to puzzle games with seemingly simplistic mechanics, stay far away; you will lose your life to Stand O’Food 3 for a good few days.

  • Title: Stand O'Food 3
  • Platform Reviewed: PC
  • Developer: G5 Entertainment
  • Publisher: G5 Entertainment
  • Release Date: May 11, 2011
  • MSRP: $6.99
  • Review Copy Info: A download code for this title was provided to DualShockers, Inc. by the publisher for the purpose of this review.