Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils New Cooking Mechanics

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to elevate the culinary experience in gaming, with a strong emphasis on making in-game food look irresistibly appetizing. The development team, led by executive director and art director Kaname Fujioka and director Yuya Tokuda, has poured significant effort into enhancing the visual appeal of the game's dishes, pushing the boundaries of realism into what they call "exaggerated realism." This approach draws inspiration from food depictions in anime and commercials, utilizing special lighting effects and exaggerated models to make meals more enticing.

Since the inception of the Monster Hunter series in 2004, cooking has been an integral part of gameplay, starting with players consuming large chunks of monster meat for buffs. Over the years, the importance of food and the variety of meals have grown, with Monster Hunter World in 2018 marking a significant shift towards more realistic and appealing dining experiences. Monster Hunter Wilds aims to build on this trend, promising a diverse menu featuring meat, fish, and vegetable dishes that are designed to look mouth-wateringly delicious.

A notable departure from previous entries is the setting for dining. In Monster Hunter Wilds, players can enjoy their meals anywhere in the game world, embracing a more rustic, camping grill atmosphere rather than a formal restaurant setting. This change adds to the immersive experience, allowing players to savor their meals in the wilderness.

Among the highlighted dishes, a simple roasted cabbage has been given a visually appealing transformation, puffing up realistically as the lid is lifted, and topped with a roasted egg. On the other end of the spectrum, Tokuda hinted at a secret "extravagant" meat dish that promises to be a highlight of the game's culinary offerings. The focus on a wide variety of dishes, combined with the expressions of delight on characters' faces as they dine around a campfire, aims to enhance the overall sense of food-related bliss in the game.

Set to launch on February 28, 2025, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to set a new standard for in-game dining, offering players not just sustenance but a feast for the eyes as well.