A Feast for the Eyes: Monster Hunter Wilds Redefines In-Game Cuisine
Monster Hunter Wilds is set to revolutionize in-game food presentation, prioritizing mouthwatering realism with a touch of artistic exaggeration. Two key developers, executive director/art director Kaname Fujioka and director Yuya Tokuda, aim to surpass the standard of visually appealing in-game food.
The game boasts a diverse menu featuring an array of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. The development team has meticulously crafted each dish to appear incredibly appetizing, even exceeding realistic depictions for enhanced visual appeal.
Building on the franchise's long-standing cooking mechanic (introduced in 2004), Monster Hunter Wilds takes it to a new level. While realistic depictions were prioritized in Monster Hunter World (2018), Wilds incorporates stylized elements inspired by anime and commercials, employing strategic lighting and model exaggeration to heighten the sense of deliciousness. As Fujioka explains, "Making it look realistic isn't enough to make it look good. You really have to think about what makes something look delicious."
Campfire Cuisine and Culinary Secrets:
Unlike previous installments, Monster Hunter Wilds allows players to dine anywhere, embracing a rustic camping grill ambiance rather than a formal restaurant setting. A December preview showcased an impressive cheese pull, generating significant fan excitement. Even simpler dishes, like roasted cabbage (a particular challenge for Fujioka), are presented with captivating detail—a realistically puffing cabbage crowned with a roasted egg.
Director Tokuda, a self-proclaimed meat enthusiast, hints at a secret "extravagant" meat dish, adding an element of surprise to the culinary adventure. The game emphasizes a wide variety of dishes and the joyful expressions of characters enjoying their meals, creating an immersive and satisfying culinary experience. The focus is on exaggerated realism to deliver a heightened sense of food-related bliss in its cooking sequences. Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28, 2025.
