Monster Hunter Wilds is set to revolutionize the way in-game food is presented, aiming to tantalize players with dishes that look irresistibly delicious. The development team, including executive director/art director Kaname Fujioka and director Yuya Tokuda, are pushing the boundaries of culinary realism by incorporating exaggerated elements inspired by anime and food commercials. This approach goes beyond mere realism to create meals that not only look good but are visually appetizing, utilizing special lighting effects and exaggerated food models.
Since the inception of the Monster Hunter series in 2004, cooking has been a core feature, starting with players consuming large pieces of meat from their defeated foes. Over the years, the importance of food and the variety of dishes available have grown significantly. The trend of enhancing the visual appeal of food reached new heights with Monster Hunter World in 2018, and Monster Hunter Wilds aims to take this even further. Scheduled for release on February 28, 2025, the game will allow players to enjoy meals in any location, embracing a camping grill atmosphere rather than a formal restaurant setting.
A standout feature in Monster Hunter Wilds is the diverse menu that includes everything from meat and fish to vegetables. A preview in December showcased an enticing cheese pull, but the developers have gone to great lengths to make even simple dishes like roasted cabbage visually appealing. Fujioka highlighted the challenge of making the cabbage puff up realistically as the lid is removed, complemented by a roasted egg atop the dish. On the other end of the spectrum, Tokuda teased the inclusion of a secret "extravagant" meat dish, adding an element of mystery and excitement to the game's culinary offerings.
The game's focus on food extends beyond the dishes themselves to capture the joy of dining. By showcasing the expressions of characters around a campfire, Monster Hunter Wilds aims to enhance the sense of food-related bliss in its cooking cutscenes, creating an immersive and exaggeratedly realistic experience.
