With the limitations set only by the human imagination when it comes to creations in video games, it was inevitable that creators would put their resources toward developing some of the best-looking food that sures even real life. No matter who the player is, one indisputable fact that can be agreed upon by everyone is that alluring food is something to covet, even when that food happens to be composed of pixels.
Though surprisingly enough video games not focused on cooking have exceedingly high-quality food items with enough appeal to get players salivating. Even riveting action games like Final Fantasy XV present food options indicative of their AAA status as games. With a few games going the extra mile just to make sure the meals added into their games add to immersing the player in their worlds.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (2022)
It was in 2022 that the highly-anticipated sequel to the fan-beloved Xenoblade Chronicles 3 provides an immersive experience for its entire duration.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 takes that immersion to the next level with the implementation of delicious-looking food items that look straight out of a fantasy world. And while that's the case, it's great to see a game fully committed to its aesthetic to the point of inventing original recipes that take in mind the existing creatures and fauna to establish a sense of believability.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)
Slay mythical monsters, fight off dangerous factions, hone abilities to their full potential, and become the legendary Dragonborn players were destined to become. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim takes the medieval fantasy world dreamed of by every fan of the genre and expands upon it with a never-ending quest for glory.
Though for every fantasy allotted to the player, there's always one argument fans always find themselves in when discussing the title. And that's which of the many delightful foods is the best. With tons of options available to the player, there's a range of sweet delicacies like glazed cakes or apple pies or more hearty options like Mammoth Steak that bring life to the already expansive world.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
While the ability to grow and craft food items was only just added to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, its implementations made living on an island all the more bearable as it gave players another option to spend their time with as managing a farm and completing other miscellaneous chores enhanced the island experience.
With dozens of options available to the player that both serve as a benefit to their stamina consumption and decor they could place around, most players find themselves reluctant to devour the somewhat realistic depictions of food that seamlessly serve as decorative items to liven up a home. Animal Crossing: New Horizons' spectacular graphics only add to the experience as foods look surprisingly well when the light casts a shadow on them.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Stunning the world with its graphics and immersive player experience, Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't skimp out on the finer details of an outlaw life like the joys of grub and booze at the end of a long day. The depiction of such enjoyment is so realistic some players have even complained due to the mundaneness of the act.
As the ultimate immersion experience for players looking to live a life during the western age, Red Dead Redemption 2 provides accurate meals of the time to the finest detail. Soups, steaks, and fillets, all provided for a cheap sum just ready to be devoured by the player and in a sense, provide jealousy to the person behind the controller as they watch their character devour a delicious meal.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (2017)
With its stylized art and an innovative gameplay system that managed to revive theThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has players explore the land of Hyrule to free Princess Zelda once more from Ganon's evil clutches. But, with the game's many features, it'd be a shame to not relax from the grand quest for a little and enjoy the world's many delights.
One such delight is the game's fun cooking system. There's nothing better than compiling an assortment of ingredients over and over again into something actually decent or even good. And while the buffs are worth going through the trouble for, even the images of some of the dishes players can make look worthy of being in five-star restaurants. Making cooking one of the best things to do in the title.
Genshin Impact (2020)
Genshin Impact practically has everything for every fantasy player's dreams, whether it be provocative combat, deep extensive lore, lovable characters, and tasty-looking meals, Genshin Impact provides an unforgettable journey tied together by a powerful story. It even has several mini-game-like features that make processes other than battling fun too.
Declared by almost everyone in the gaming and anime community as one of the best gacha games ever, Genshin Impact becomes much more than that when taking into how immersed a player can get in its world. With the soft yet vibrant colors the game is known for, food in Genshin Impact is often depicted as though it's packed full of mind-melting flavor that makes the player wish for even a single bite.
Monster Hunter: World (2018)
It'd only make sense to eat monster meat in a game like Monster Hunter: World, but for many players, it wasn't exactly expected for the resources from such dangerous beasts to become some of the most mouth-watering foods in any game. In fact, after seeing the food the canteen chef manages to cater, it wouldn't exactly be an exaggeration to say it's one of the reasons why players go out to hunt.
If there was one word to describe the food of Monster Hunter: World, no doubt it'd be "hearty." Though that's not exactly abnormal when considering that for a hunter to perform their best it's only natural they get a lot of nutrients too. Skewers of golden meat, mountains of fragrant rice, and bowls full of nutritious soup are typically what a hunter's diet consists of. Each meal is practically a feast for anyone in the modern world.
Pokémon Sword And Shield (2019)
While the title was initially received poorly, Pokémon Sword and Shield provided a new feature for players that made maintaining relationships with Pokémon all the more hands-on. And that was the addition of the Curry Dex, a campsite feature that allowed players to create meals alongside their Pokémon using materials they gathered in the wild.
Though what was surprising about the seemingly out-of-nowhere feature was the fact that it was very extensive. Depending on the inserted ingredients and amount of them, players can produce over 150 different recipes each differing in portion, flavor, and style as the more extravagant ones featuring unique designs that make it seem straight out of a fairy tale book.
Everyday Today's MENU For EMIYA Family (2021)
As a spinoff for the epic and dark Fate series, Everyday Today's MENU For EMIYA Family brings together many of the casts favored by fans in a game about cooking dishes just to make others happy. Overall it provides a heart-warming experience in an otherwise bloody series as just for this single entry, no characters seem to suffer.
Canonically, Emiya Shirou is a master chef capable of capturing the hearts of anyone with his cooking. Players take on the role of him as they craft dozens of expertly made meals to appease the inhabitants of his home with an in-depth cooking system that resembles titles like Cooking Mama. Overall Everyday Today's MENU For EMIYA Family is the perfect game for players to relax in as it provides both aesthetically satisfying cooking and a comforting story.
Final Fantasy XV (2016)
For a story about a prince and his friends' journey to save a kingdom from evil forces, Final Fantasy XV randomly has the best-looking video game food in the industry. Putting the magic, epic melee duels, and fantastic enemies/bosses, Final Fantasy XV stemmed its popularity from the fact that it was able to produce in-game food that was practically indistinguishable from real life.
Final Fantasy XV's food looks like it came from the real world. Whether it be the slight indents and coloration of meat, the shimmering grease sliding down a slab of steak, or the reflective surface of the broth from a soup, Final Fantasy XV knocks it out of the park with food that actually can get a player's stomach growling.