Alright, folks, let’s dive into this wild (no pun intended) ride called WILD HEARTS S. I have no idea why I ended up obsessed with it, but hey, that’s life for you. The game’s from KOEI TECMO America and Omega Force—names you’d totally recognize if you’re into giant beasts and, well, slightly out-of-control nature. Imagine a world where you’re a hunter. The Kemono (yeah, remember that name) are these ginormous, nature-fused beasts, and they’ve kind of gone rogue, causing chaos in Azuma. Honestly, did anyone see this coming? I sure didn’t.
So, the game hit PlayStation 5 in 2023 with a price that made my wallet wince—$69.99. Fast forward a bit, and bam, now it’s on Nintendo Switch 2 for a friendlier $49.99. Why the “S” in the name? I dunno, maybe it stands for “Switch,” or “special,” or maybe they just ran out of other letters.
Here’s the twist. The game, very much like Monster Hunter (shocker, right?), has this Karakuri tech—sort of like building Lego traps but cooler. Think crates and gliders. You can get crafty, literally, by combining items. Want a trap or a shield? You got it, but keep your wits about you and stay ahead of those Kemono. They’re not playing around.
You wield these weapons—so many weapons. Each comes with its own quirks. Crafting’s your friend. Gather resources, whip up new gear, or maybe just make what you’ve got even snazzier. Plus, you’re not solo in your beast-battling endeavors. Get some buddies—up to three—join you locally or hop online (Heads up: you’ll need that Nintendo Switch Online sub. Bummer, I know).
Character customization is like an art form here, or total chaos. Maybe a bit of both. Templates, tweak the face, or get lost in choosing freckle patterns. Change up hairstyles, throw in some markings, even fiddle with personality traits. Heck, decide their undies look. Important stuff, right? The more personal, the better, I guess.
Okay, control time. Sticks, buttons, and all that jazz. Basic attacks with Y and X, something special with ZR. If locking onto enemy parts is your thing, it’s just a click away on the right stick. ZR for interaction and while you’re at it, light up your Hunter Vision to track down the all-important Karakuri Threads. Sounds mystical, but it’s just hunting with extra steps.
Now, about the gear: press up for healing water on the D-Pad (sipping on virtual herbal tea?) or chow down on some food by pushing left. You’ll need energy for hunting—or sprinting, which involves mashing the R button or toggling the left stick. Jump or dodge with the B button. Crouch too, for a sneaky edge.
Get this: you’ll use Kemono Orbs for awakening new Karakuri. Some need extra; flashes of genius or possibly sheer luck. Yeah, weirdly inspiring. But once you’ve got ’em, the world—or the campfire—is your oyster.
Graphics, though, minor tweak alert. Adjustments are no biggie, unless you have a microscope for detail, unlike me. Multiplayer jumps from three to four between PlayStation 5 and Nintendo’s version. Plus, you get some juicy exclusive content—fancy armor sets, new emotes. What’s not to like?
Anyways, buy it, try the demo, or skip it. Your call, really. But if it strikes a chord, at least your curiosity led you somewhere new—or back to battling virtual beasties in Azuma. Go on, let loose those wild hearts in the land of chaos.
P.S. This whole thing’s spun from playing it on a Nintendo Switch version I received. Consider yourself duly informed.
