The question addresses the representation of cooking science—specifically, chemistry and physics—in video games. The key elements to consider here are the complexity and objectives of the game, the target audience, and the degree of realism that game designers aim for.

Complexity and Objectives

Video games can be designed with various goals in mind. Some aim for a highly realistic simulation to mimic real-life experiences as closely as possible, while others focus more on gameplay mechanics, sacrificing realism for fun or ease of use. Understanding the intended complexity and objectives of a particular cooking game can help evaluate how well it models real-world cooking science.

Target Audience

Games targeting a casual audience may opt for simplicity over scientific accuracy to make the game more accessible. On the other hand, games designed for those specifically interested in cooking might be more detailed and accurate.

Degree of Realism

The level of realism in a game can also depend on the computational resources available for game development and the system running the game. Simulating the chemistry and physics of cooking in detail would be computationally expensive and might not offer a better gaming experience.

Having laid out these contexts, let’s evaluate the portrayal of cooking science in games.

Evaluation

Generally, most cooking games tend not to accurately portray the chemistry and physics involved in cooking. Here are some of the main points:

1. Ingredients and Mixing: Most games oversimplify the process. You’ll often just combine items in a given sequence without needing to consider the chemical reactions between, say, acids and bases, or how different types of fats affect the texture of baked goods.
2. Heat and Cooking Time: In a real kitchen, temperature and time can dramatically affect the outcome. Most games bypass these complexities, offering a simplified model where “cooking” is completed in a matter of seconds or minutes, without accounting for the Maillard reaction, caramelization, or other complex biochemical processes.
3. Sensory Feedback: Cooking involves a sensory experience that games cannot fully replicate. Taste, smell, and even the sound of food cooking are often crucial for adjusting your technique, which is generally absent in video games.
4. Physical Properties: Real cooking involves understanding the viscosity, elasticity, and other physical properties of ingredients, which are usually ignored in cooking games.

In summary, while cooking games can offer a simplified and entertaining take on culinary arts, they generally fall short in replicating the scientific aspects of cooking accurately. Games that aim for a high degree of realism might incorporate some scientific elements, but the medium’s constraints—both computational and design-wise—limit the extent to which they can model the intricate chemistry and physics of cooking.