WILD HEARTS S from KOEI TECMO America and Omega Force is a fast-paced, action-packed game in which you’ll fight against giant nature-infused beasts. Learn more in our WILD HEARTS S review!
Wild Hearts S from KOEI TECMO America and Omega Force is a fast-paced, action-packed game in which you’ll fight against giant nature-infused beasts. Trust me, you’ll know a Kemono as soon as you see it. You’re a hunter and must do whatever it takes to defeat the Kemono as you explore the lands of Azuma. Things were not always like this. The Kemono were not fueled by anger, and they didn’t wreak havoc or rush over the peaceful people of Azuma. Will you be able to find the source of it all? The game was released on PlayStation 5 by Electronic Arts back in 2023 with a $69.99 price tag, and it’s now making the jump to Nintendo Switch 2 in a special version tailored for what the new hybrid console can do – hence the S in its name. Oh, and WILD HEARTS S is available on Nintendo’s latest console for only $49.99.
For this new experience – which has certainly been inspired by the beloved Monster Hunter series – you’ll be making good use of the Karakuri technology that can be leveraged to, say, create items such as crates and gliders to aid you. These are, of course, simple examples of what you can do. Combining items can lead you to creating traps to slow down the Kemono, or build a shield to protect you. If you aim to survive, you’ll have to stay one step ahead of the Kemono as you prepare things to build your own hunting grounds.
You’re good at what you do, and can wield a variety of weapons, and each one will feature unique characteristics to consider. You can also craft new equipment with the resources obtained during your hunts, or use them to enhance the items that you’ve already added to your arsenal. The good news is that you won’t be doing this on your own, since you’ll be able to join forces with up to three additional players, thanks to the local multiplayer option or by jumping online. Do know that the second option requires that you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
You’ll get a chance to customize your character’s look once you’ve completed the starting tutorial. First, you’ll pick from the different character templates on offer. Once that’s settled, you’ll be able to select your character’s face and eye shapes, irises and pupils, eyebrows, nose, mouth, ears, skin, and wrinkles. You can go deeper and pick additional customization options for hair, beard, makeup, body type, markings, as well as their voice, personality, undergarments, and equipment look.
Once you jump into action, you’ll control your character using the left analog stick, while using the right analog stick to move the camera around as needed. You can use your main attacks by pressing the Y and X buttons, and can perform a special attack by pressing the ZR button. You can press in on the right analog stick to lock onto different enemy parts so that you can more easily target them. Interact by pressing the ZR button. This button can also be used to activate your Hunter Vision. Your Hunter Vision can be used to find sources from which to extract Karakuri Thread, which is needed for activating the Karakuri you craft. You can also use Karakuri Thread to point you in the right direction.
Sprint by pressing and holding down the R button. This button can also be used to stow away your weapon and to grab something. You can also toggle your sprint by pressing in on the left analog stick. Jump by pressing the B button, and you can crouch by pressing the B button. You can also press the B button to dodge so that you can hopefully avoid an incoming attack. Crouching is important, since it can allow you to approach a Kemono without making as much noise, thus making it possible to land a powerful attack.
Press up on the D-Pad to use healing water to treat your wounds and recover some of your health. Press left on the D-Pad to eat some food. Hold down the R button and then jump toward a surface to start climbing it. You’ll need to be quick since this will use up some of your stamina at a steady pace. Enter your Karakuri Stance by pressing the L button. This will allow you to activate the different Karakuri that you’ve crafted and equipped by pressing the X, Y, A, and B buttons, respectively. You can also conjure up special Dragon Karakuri, such as a hunter’s tent and a campfire, to help you survive as well as fast travel around the map.
You can use the Kemono Orbs that you collect after hunting Kemono to end up awakening new types of Karakuri to use, or to strengthen and boost the Harakuri that you’ve already awakened. Some Karakuri can’t be awakened by using Kemono Orbs. For those, you’ll need a flash of inspiration or a particular success in hunting to unlock that specific Karakuri’s secrets, so that you can then use Karakuri Threads to conjure them and put them to good use.
Wild Hearts S is a fast-paced, action-packed game in which you’ll fight against giant nature-infused beasts. Trust me, you’ll know a Kemono as soon as you see it. You’re a hunter and must do whatever it takes to defeat the Kemono as you explore the lands of Azuma. Things were not always like this. The Kemono were not fueled by anger, and they didn’t wreak havoc or rush over the peaceful people of Azuma. Will you be able to find the source of it all?
While some compromises have been made to get the game up and running on Nintendo’s latest console, it’s not as big of a hit as if the game had, say, been released on the first Nintendo Switch. The game’s graphics have been dialed back here and there, as has been the case for the lighting. What’s different when comparing WILD HEARTS on PlayStation 5 and WILD HEARTS S? The number of players for multiplayer has been increased from 3 to 4. The content from the WILD HEARTS Karakuri Edition has also been rolled into WILD HEARTS S, which includes the following:
Two full cosmetic armor sets” Karakuri Samurai Cladding” and” Karakuri Ninja Cladding”
One decorative” Tsukumo Lantern”
Three emotes” Fighting Spirit”,” Conch” and” Grovel”
We’re also getting the following pre-order bonuses from WILD HEARTS included in WILD HEARTS S.
One emote” Ferocious Kemono”
Perk 1-5 Stamp
WILD HEARTS S is out on Nintendo Switch 2 with a $49.99 price tag. There’s also the option of downloading a WILD HEARTS S demo to check it out and see if it clicks with you.
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/wild-hearts-s-switch-2/
Disclaimer
This WILD HEARTS S review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by KOEI TECMO America.