Summary
After nearly 12 years since the first game, Capcom’sDragon’s Dogma 2has finally been released. WhileDragon’s Dogma 2could be considered more of a remake than a sequeldue to its unwillingness to compromise on the dated mechanics of its predecessor, it still boasts plenty of new features that set it apart, like new vocations, a larger open world, and an updated version of the franchise’s iconic Pawn system. Apart from the sequel’s more significant additions to the series, there is one other rather peculiar feature that should be implemented into another hit Capcom franchise, beginning with its next mainline installment.
Monster Hunteris known for its challenging monster fights, unique crafting and customization system, diverse and immersive worlds, and engaging cooperative gameplay. However, one feature that is almost necessarily included in everyMonster Huntertitle is cooking, which can provide players with various notable gameplay benefits, like health and stamina boosts, or bonuses to certain stats. EveryMonsterHunter title has a unique take on how to present the cooking process, butDragon’s Dogma 2’s unprecedented cooking presentation should beMonster Hunter’s new standard.
Monster Hunter Should Adopt Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Cooking Scenes
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Features Live-Action Cooking Scenes
While out exploring the vastopen world ofDragon’s Dogma 2, players will occasionally stumble upon campsites where they can rest to recover lost health. While the ability to recover health alone is enough reason to camp, players can also take advantage of the campfire and any meat they may have collected from the game’s various animals and some of its monsters. Just as inMonster Hunter,Dragon’s Dogma 2players can cook this meat at the campsite to gain various stat bonuses. Once a recipe is selected, a mouthwatering cooking scene ensues.
While this food mechanic isnot unheard of for a Capcom game, it’s the way thatDragon’s Dogma 2presents its cooking scenes that ultimately distinguishes it.
When cooking in anyMonster Huntergame, players will experience what is often a chaotic mess of a scene in which a chef conjures up some miraculous dish based on the ingredients chosen. However,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s cooking scenesmaintain a more serious tone by being entirely live-action, showcasing just a few seconds of the meat sizzling on a wok. What’s more interesting is that the game’s visuals will take into account what type of meat the player chooses, even if it happens to be spoiled meat, resulting in a sometimes disgustingly accurate depiction of that particular meat being cooked.
Capcom previously disclosed that its decision to feature live-action cooking scenes inDragon’s Dogma 2was strictly financial — either it could spend money on live-action cooking scenes or spend money on CGI cooking scenes that wouldn’t look as good. Now, the developer has a chance to keep up this trend in itsMonster Hunterseries.
Monster Hunter Should Also Feature Live-Action Cooking Scenes
Since cooking is one ofMonster Hunter’s best and most creative features, it deserves the same love given toDragon’s Dogma 2’s cooking. While there is a certain amount of charm in the way the series has presented cooking before, live-action cooking scenes could add to each game’s immersion while simultaneously maintaining what could and arguably should become a new staple for Capcom.
Monster Hunter’s Canteen meals are often presented with much more whimsy, though, and would be far more difficult to pull off given the creatures that prepare them. Regardless, with the announcement thatMonster Hunter Wildsis now in development, Capcom has a chance to leave an indelible mark on the franchise and cementWilds' position as an innovative take on theMonster Hunterformula, even with something as simple as live-action cooking scenes.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Set forth on your grand adventure, Arisen!Dragon’s Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 awaits.On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure.All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
