"Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils Cooking Mechanics"

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to elevate the visual appeal of in-game food to new heights, according to key members of its development team. The game will feature an extensive selection of dishes, ranging from meat and fish to vegetables, with the developers going beyond mere realism to make these meals look irresistibly delicious. The focus on appetizing food visuals is a continuation of a trend that started with Monster Hunter World in 2018, where food became a central part of the gameplay experience.

Scheduled for release on February 28, 2025, Monster Hunter Wilds aims to push the boundaries of food presentation in video games. Executive director and art director Kaname Fujioka, along with director Yuya Tokuda, have emphasized the importance of making food look not just realistic but also appetizing. Fujioka explained in a recent IGN interview that achieving this requires a blend of realism and exaggeration, drawing inspiration from food depictions in anime and commercials, including special lighting effects and exaggerated food models.

Monster Hunter Wilds: Exaggerated Realism in Cooking Scenes

In Monster Hunter Wilds, players will have the freedom to dine anywhere, embracing a camping grill atmosphere rather than a traditional restaurant setting. A preview in December showcased an enticing cheese pull, but the menu promises more. Even a simple dish like roasted cabbage, which posed a significant challenge for Fujioka, can be visually appealing with effects like the cabbage puffing up as the lid is lifted, accompanied by a roasted egg topping.

On the other end of the spectrum, Tokuda, known for his love of meat both in-game and in real life, hinted at a secret "extravagant" meat dish that will be introduced in the game. The developers are keen on capturing a wide variety of dishes and the expressions of joy on players' faces as they dine around a cooking fire, aiming to enhance the sense of food-related bliss through exaggerated yet realistic cooking cutscenes.