Monster Hunter Wilds Explains Cooking System

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to elevate the visual appeal of in-game food to new heights, according to insights from executive director/art director Kaname Fujioka and director Yuya Tokuda. The game will feature an extensive selection of dishes, ranging from meat and fish to vegetables, with a strong emphasis on making them look irresistibly delicious. The development team has gone beyond mere realism, incorporating elements of exaggeration inspired by anime and food commercials to enhance the visual allure of the meals.

Since its inception in 2004, the Monster Hunter series has included cooking as a core mechanic, allowing players to enjoy meals from slain monsters. Over time, the importance and variety of these meals have grown, with a significant focus on realistic dining experiences starting with Monster Hunter World in 2018. Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28, 2025, will take this a step further by enabling players to dine anywhere in the game, fostering a camping grill atmosphere rather than a restaurant setting.

One of the standout features showcased in a December preview was an impressive cheese pull, which has already sparked excitement among fans. Even simpler dishes like roasted cabbage are receiving special attention. Fujioka highlighted the challenge of making roasted cabbage visually appealing, achieving this by showcasing it puffing up realistically when the pan lid is removed, accompanied by a roasted egg topping.

On the meatier side of the menu, Tokuda, a self-proclaimed meat enthusiast, hinted at the inclusion of a secret "extravagant" meat dish, adding an element of mystery and anticipation. The game aims to capture not just the variety of dishes but also the emotional reactions of characters dining around a campfire, enhancing the overall sense of food-related bliss through exaggerated realism in its cooking scenes.