...was wondering, is there any "nutritional value" system? Interesting effects for custom foods, maybe buffs you get from different foods and whatnot?


--- As far as nutritional system, the cooking mechanic is essentially the same as vanilla Ark, just with a lot more ingredients and icons to play with. Basically, the more you refine the ingredients, ie if it can be sliced or washed or cooked do that before using it in a recipe, the better the stats will be on your final recipe. Crafting skill will improve the stats of your recipe as well.

As for effects, some of the pre-made recipes that are cooked in the stove or brewed in the kettle do have effects. Some are obvious like the hot cocoa keeps you warm and the iced tea keeps you cool. The pre-made tea and coffees do not quench your thirst very much, but they will remove the stamina drain from drinking alcohol. The deserts will give you a quick little burst of speed but beware the stamina drain when that sugar rush wears off. And last but not least, the Trail Mix will give you a boost to your XP, much like an explorer note in vanilla Ark.

There are a couple treats for the animals as well. Kismet Kakes are the same as a regular veggie cake, and the Baxter Bites behave the same only for carnivores. The Baby Brew will give a newly born or hatched critter a 100% Imprint bonus.