In an interview with Famitsu, Kui shed light on the video game influences that shaped the beloved series. Among them is the 1990 RPG Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge, which caught Kui’s with its tale of a fantasy party trapped in a monster-infested castle.
Much like Delicious in Dungeon, the game’s narrative took unexpected turns, delving into sci-fi territory for those who ventured down certain paths.
Kui’s fascination with Wizardry 6 stemmed from watching her father play the game in her youth, though she was forbidden from playing it herself. As an adult, she immersed herself in a wide array of video games as part of her research for Delicious in Dungeon.
From story-driven RPGs like 13 Sentinels to innovative titles like Inscryption, Kui drew inspiration from a range of gaming experiences. Despite her preference for games with minimal combat, she found herself drawn to the rich storytelling of titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War.
This eclectic blend of influences is evident in Delicious in Dungeon’s unique approach to fantasy tropes, emphasizing culinary creativity alongside traditional combat. Through its playful subversion of Western fantasy norms, the series emerges as a delightful fusion of gaming inspiration and manga storytelling.
