Pao Pao

About Pao Pao

Pao Pao is a 2026 indie simulator from ArtDock that blends restaurant management with underwater resource gathering. You run a seafood restaurant, collect ingredients by diving, and manage orders while dealing with chaotic animal coworkers. The game supports solo play or co-op with friends. It’s a quirky mix of cooking, fishing, and base-building, set in a colorful, slightly absurd world. The goal is to upgrade your kitchen, satisfy customers, and unlock new recipes. With cross-platform availability on PC, consoles, and Switch, it’s designed for casual sessions and long-term progression. If you enjoy relaxing management loops with a splash of chaos, this one’s for you.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time toggling between two zones: the restaurant kitchen and the ocean. In the kitchen, you chop, cook, and serve dishes to customers while managing inventory and upgrading equipment. Between orders, you dive underwater to fish for ingredients, avoiding obstacles like rogue jellyfish. Multiplayer lets you split roles, someone dives while another handles cooking. Resource management is key: overfishing areas forces you to explore new zones. The game’s rhythm leans slow-paced but can spike during busy rushes. Controls are straightforward, with a focus on intuitive drag-and-drop actions. Progression revolves around unlocking recipes, expanding your restaurant, and taming wild sea creatures to assist in tasks.

What Players Think

PlayPile players rate Pao Pao 4.2/5, with 68% completing the base story. Average playtime is 28 hours, though 35% play beyond 50. The game’s most popular mood tag is “relaxing,” followed by “quirky” and “satisfying.” Critics note it’s “a chill, accessible sim with enough depth to keep returning.” Completion rate for all achievements is 52%, with 100 achievements total. The multiplayer mode sees 45% of players logging sessions with friends. Price-sensitive users praise its $29.99 tag, though some wish it had more customization. The most shared review: “It’s like Animal Crossing meets Stardew Valley… if both were run by dolphins.”

PlayPile's Take

Pao Pao works best as a low-stakes, multiplayer-friendly sim. It’s not impressive but hits reliably satisfying beats for fans of casual management. The $29.99 price matches its moderate length, and the co-op mode adds replayability. Skip it if you want intense strategy or fast-paced action. For a weekend escape with friends or solo downtime, it’s a solid pick. The 100 achievements and 50+ hour playtime justify the ask, especially for those who enjoy fishing and kitchen chaos. Just don’t expect deep mechanics, this is all about cozy, goofy fun.

Storyline

Pao Pao is a wild mix of culinary diving and animal madness—where you become the ultimate restaurant boss and management guru! Gather ingredients, go fishing, and expand your spot solo or with friends. Every order turns into an epic adventure… Jump in and experience it for yourself!