Summary
- Monster Hunter Wilds prioritizes visually appealing in-game food, employing exaggerated realism.
- Dining is flexible, emphasizing a casual camping grill atmosphere rather than a formal restaurant setting.
- The game boasts a diverse culinary selection, including a secret, extravagant meat dish, enhancing the overall enjoyment of food-related aspects.
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 standards.
Food has been a staple in the Monster Hunter franchise since 2004, initially featuring simple monster meat. This mechanic evolved, with increased importance and expanded menus. Since 2018, Monster Hunter World enhanced the realism of its food presentation, striving for meals players would find genuinely appealing.
This trend intensifies in Monster Hunter Wilds (launching February 28, 2025), where Fujioka and Tokuda aim to surpass existing game standards for food presentation. "Making it look realistic isn't enough to make it look good," Fujioka explained in an IGN interview. "You really have to think about what makes something look delicious." This involves blending realism with stylized exaggeration, drawing inspiration from anime and commercials, incorporating special lighting and enhanced food models.
Monster Hunter Wilds Devs Employ Exaggerated Realism in Cooking Scenes
Unlike previous installments, Monster Hunter Wilds allows players to dine anywhere, creating a campfire cooking experience rather than a restaurant setting. A December preview showcased an impressive cheese pull, already captivating fans. The menu includes noteworthy dishes; even simple roasted cabbage, a significant challenge for Fujioka, is visually enhanced with realistic puffing as the lid is lifted, complemented by a roasted egg topping.
Tokuda, a self-proclaimed meat enthusiast, hinted at a secret "extravagant" meat dish, though he remained tight-lipped about its specifics. The game emphasizes diverse dishes and expressive dining animations around the cooking fire, creating an exaggerated yet realistic sense of culinary bliss in its cooking sequences.
