Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils Cooking Mechanics

Monster Hunter Wilds: Elevating In-Game Dining to New Heights

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to redefine the visual appeal of in-game food, pushing the boundaries with a focus on exaggerated realism. The game, slated for release on February 28, 2025, will feature an extensive menu of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes, each crafted to look irresistibly delicious. Executive Director/Art Director Kaname Fujioka and Director Yuya Tokuda have emphasized the importance of making food not just realistic, but truly appetizing. Fujioka highlighted that inspiration comes from anime and commercials, employing special lighting effects and exaggerated food models to achieve this goal.

A New Approach to Dining

Unlike its predecessors, Monster Hunter Wilds introduces a flexible dining experience where players can enjoy their meals anywhere in the game's vast world. The atmosphere shifts from a traditional restaurant setting to a more immersive camping grill vibe. This change enhances the sense of adventure and community among players. A standout feature is the attention to detail in even the simplest dishes, such as roasted cabbage, which Fujioka found challenging but rewarding to perfect. The game showcases the cabbage puffing up as the lid is lifted, accompanied by a visually appealing roasted egg topping.

A Culinary Secret

Adding to the excitement, Director Yuya Tokuda hinted at a secret "extravagant" meat dish that will be introduced in the game. While keeping the details under wraps, Tokuda's enthusiasm suggests that this dish will be a highlight for meat lovers. The variety of dishes, combined with the realistic expressions of characters enjoying their meals around a campfire, aims to create an exaggerated yet believable sense of food-related bliss.

Since its inception in 2004, the Monster Hunter series has always included cooking as a core mechanic. Starting with Monster Hunter World in 2018, the focus on food intensified, with developers striving to create dining experiences that players would crave in real life. Monster Hunter Wilds continues this trend, promising to deliver a dining experience that is both visually stunning and integral to the gameplay.

For fans eager to see what culinary delights await, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to offer an unparalleled dining experience that blends realism with the art of exaggeration, making every meal a feast for the eyes.