Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils Cooking Mechanics

Summary

• Monster Hunter Wilds focuses on making in-game food look appetizing with exaggerated realism.
• Players can dine anywhere in the game, creating a camping grill atmosphere instead of a restaurant theme.
• The game will feature a wide variety of dishes, including a secret "extravagant" meat dish, enhancing food-related bliss.

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to elevate the visual appeal of in-game food, as highlighted by key members of its development team. The game will showcase an extensive range of dishes, from meat and fish to vegetables, with a strong emphasis on making them look as delectable as possible, often surpassing realistic standards.

Cooking has been a staple in the Monster Hunter series since its inception in 2004, with players initially able to consume large chunks of meat from defeated monsters. Over time, the culinary aspect has evolved, with more diverse meals and ingredients, and became a focal point starting with Monster Hunter World in 2018. The developers aimed to create dining experiences that were not only beneficial but also visually appealing.

With the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, 2025, executive director and art director Kaname Fujioka, along with director Yuya Tokuda, are pushing the boundaries even further. They believe that few games successfully depict appetizing food. "Making it look realistic isn't enough to make it look good," Fujioka stated in a recent IGN video interview. Achieving this requires a blend of realism and exaggeration, drawing inspiration from anime and commercials, which often use special lighting and exaggerated food models.

Monster Hunter Wilds Devs Use Exaggerated Realism in Cooking Scenes

In contrast to earlier Monster Hunter titles, players in Monster Hunter Wilds can enjoy meals anywhere, embracing a more rustic, camping grill vibe rather than a formal restaurant setting. A preview in December showcased an impressive cheese pull, sparking excitement among fans. Even simpler dishes like roasted cabbage, which presented a significant challenge for Fujioka, can be made visually appealing through effects such as the cabbage puffing up as the lid is lifted, complemented by a roasted egg topping.

On the other end of the spectrum, Tokuda, known for his love of meat both in the game and in real life, hinted at the introduction of a secret "extravagant" meat dish, though he kept the details under wraps. The game aims to offer a diverse array of dishes and capture the joy of dining around a campfire, using exaggerated realism to enhance the overall food-related experience in its cooking cutscenes.