It’s rare that a cutscene can surprise me into laughing out loud. But that’s exactly what happened during my first few hours in Monster Hunter World and seeing the Palico Chefs.

I’m new to the Monster Hunter franchise. So I was still in “figuring it out” mode when I stopped for my first big meal. And I was not at all prepared for a cutscene featuring a squad of Palico chefs, preparing my food with the flair and precision of a 3 Michelin Star brigade.

It was unexpected. It was fun. It was a moment that reminded me of the sheer joy that gaming can bring.

It wasn’t necessary to the game to have the Palico food prep scene. They could just hand over my stat food and be done with it, like pretty much every other game that makes eating into a game mechanic. But the designers of Monster Hunter did a little more to build the world and make it fun. And in doing so, they transformed an in-game chore into something special.

Of course, I’m not the only person who found the food scenes delightful. (And there’s really no better word to describe it.) I’ve even seen fans reproduce the meal in real life – a pretty amazing feat in itself.

I think what makes this moment stand out isn’t just the surprise element – it’s the sense of pure happiness behind it. You get the feeling that the people who worked on it enjoyed sharing that moment with you, the gamer.

And the sense of fun is contagious. All of a sudden, you’re laughing at a cat proudly bringing you a roast turkey, like you’re some kind of medieval king.

It’s a small moment in a very big game. But it’s one of the things that sets Monster Hunter apart and reminds you that great games don’t just entertain. They can also make you smile.