Summary
- Video games now prioritize visually appealing food to immerse players.
- Some games allow players to cook intricate dishes, appealing to foodies.
- Cooking sequences in games like Monster Hunter or Yakuza are visually stunning and enhance gameplay.
As video games have evolved, so has the work that goes into everything from the graphics to the audio of these titles. Some games that want to charm and immerse players do so by ensuring that the food in their games looks downright breathtaking.
Of course, some hardcore foodies also appreciate the process of cooking a good meal, which is an experience that many games strive to emulate. This ensures that players with a passion for eating will get a kick out of playing these games, with food that looks beautiful, is fun to create, or both.
8 Final Fantasy 15
Ignis' Food Looks Unreal
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Final Fantasy 15 is a video game that charmed fans despite its problems. The story had its issues, and the combat could feel rather bare-bones at times, but all of this was forgiven when fans saw the sheer amount of love and effort put into this game.
The meals that Ignis prepares in this game are a great example of that. The renders are out of this world and will make fans salivate after seeing what Noctis' friend can prepare even without a proper kitchen.
7 Monster Hunter: World
A Lot Of Effort Was Put Into The Food Textures
Monster Hunter World
- Released
- January 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
There are many reasons why Monster Hunter: World went viral and became one of the biggest entries in the series. The tantalizing gameplay loop, coupled with the release on home consoles, ensured that this title would break into the mainstream and serve as a major step forward for the series.
It helped that the passion that Capcom had for this title could be seen throughout an adventurer's journey. Even something as simple as cooking a meal turns into yet another positive for the game when players marvel at the game's incredible food and how palatable it looks.
6 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Players Will Love Combining Ingredients To Make Unique Dishes
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
In the quest to recover Hearts or enjoy special effects, most players will just throw random stuff together in a pot to create a quick and efficient dish. However, this would be doing a great injustice to the intricate recipes that players can discover in the game.
Breath Of The Wild: The Location Of Every Stable In The Game
Legend of Zelda: Breath of Wild's map is so large that it is easy to miss some helpful locations throughout the game. Stables are one of them.
From cakes to rice bowls, there's no shortage of unique meals that Link can whip up in Breath of the Wild. Foodies will love uncovering recipes and creating handcrafted meals that look appetizing.
5 Overcooked! 2
The Chaotic Process Of Cooking Food
Overcooked 2
- Released
- August 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
The chaos of preparing a good meal is something many foodies are familiar with. Overcooked! And its sequel dial this up to a hundred, making for a fun and hectic co-op experience as players overcome several adversities to try and fulfill as many customer orders as possible.
Players must designate roles just like proper chefs, and ensure that a steady stream of dishes is being prepared to satiate the masses. During this process, dishes must be cleaned and counters must be kept empty so that players don't waste time and resources.
4 Yakuza
Every Game Encourages Players To Devour The Menu Of Every Restaurant
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
- Released
- April 17, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
The passion for Japanese culture can be seen throughout the Yakuza series, especially when it comes to the food. Some of the most popular districts in Japan are carefully recreated in the game's engine, letting players explore and find everything from underrated eateries to SEGA arcades.
Along with the appetizing food seen in some of the game's high-budget cutscenes, players are also encouraged to clear out the menu of numerous restaurants for certain bonuses. This is especially important in Yakuza 6 and Yakuza Kiwami 2, since the most reliable way to gain experience is to find meal combos and acquire points to level up Kiryu's stats.
3 Dragon's Dogma 2
The Developers Used Footage Of Real Meat
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Dragon's Dogma 2 is a minor improvement over its predecessor, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Given its status as a Capcom game, it was only a given that the process of cooking meals would involve something quirky.
In this game's case, the developer decided to include real-life footage of various kinds of meat sizzling on a fire whenever players decided to cook something. It should be jarring, but Dragon's Dogma 2 looks so beautiful that there's no tonal whiplash whatsoever whenever the game shows these live-action videos.
2 Odin Sphere Leifthrasir
Devouring Food Is The Most Reliable Way To Acquire Experience
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir
- Released
- June 7, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Vanillaware's games are quite charming, and are perfect for players who like colorful art styles and unique combat loops. Food plays a huge role in their games, and Odin Sphere is no exception.
Players can either use coins to get meals from cafes, or acquire ingredients and give them to Maury for a hearty meal. This is the most reliable way to gain experience, making the very act of eating food a critical mechanic for each of the five characters if players don't want to be underleveled for a tough boss.
1 PlateUp!
A Combination Of Roguelike Gameplay & Restaurant Management
PlateUp!
- Released
- August 4, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // Alcohol Reference
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Party Game, Simulation
Overcooked's formula was a smash hit, and there's nothing wrong with other indie games adding their unique spin to this concept. Such is the case with PlateUp!, a fun combination of restaurant management and roguelike elements to make every run feel fresh and engaging.
Failures can be frustrating, but they serve as learning experiences to help players perform better in future runs. Over time, friends and family can become more competent in PlateUp! As they turn their small eatery into a high-class restaurant that serves the best meals.
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