Monster Hunter Wilds Explains Cooking System

Summary

• Monster Hunter Wilds prioritizes visually appealing in-game food, employing exaggerated realism.
• Dining is flexible, offering a campfire cooking experience rather than a formal restaurant setting.
• The game boasts a diverse culinary selection, including a secret, extravagant meat dish, designed to heighten the enjoyment of food-related gameplay.

Monster Hunter Wilds aims to redefine the visual appeal of in-game food, according to key developers Kaname Fujioka and Yuya Tokuda. The game features a wide array of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes meticulously crafted to look incredibly appetizing, even exceeding realistic depictions.

Food has been a staple in the Monster Hunter series since 2004, evolving from simple monster meat to increasingly elaborate and impactful meals. While Monster Hunter World (2018) enhanced the realism of its food presentation, Monster Hunter Wilds pushes this further. Fujioka emphasizes that true visual appeal goes beyond realism; it requires understanding what makes food look delicious. This involves a blend of realism and stylized exaggeration, drawing inspiration from anime and food commercials, incorporating techniques like special lighting and exaggerated food models.

Monster Hunter Wilds Devs Employ Exaggerated Realism in Cooking Scenes

Unlike previous installments, Monster Hunter Wilds allows players to dine anywhere, transforming cooking into a casual campfire experience. A December preview showcased an impressive cheese pull, hinting at the game's culinary focus. Even simple dishes, like roasted cabbage (a significant challenge for Fujioka), are presented with appealing details—a realistic puffing effect upon uncovering the pan, and a visually engaging presentation with a roasted egg topping.

Tokuda, a self-proclaimed meat enthusiast, teases a secret, extravagant meat dish, hinting at the game's diverse culinary offerings. The game focuses not only on the variety of dishes but also on the expressions of characters enjoying meals around a campfire, creating an exaggerated yet realistic sense of culinary bliss in its cooking scenes.