Despite the fact that Wild Hearts S sat in our evaluation queue unclaimed for weeks (often an indication {that a} sport is nothing particular), my spouse and I haven’t been capable of put it down. This launch is considered one of my largest surprises this 12 months. Please learn on to study why.
Whereas the title would possibly sound prefer it belongs to a romantic visible novel, Wild Hearts S takes plain inspiration from the Monster Hunter franchise. Initially, that apprehensive me, as I’m not an enormous fan of the Capcom collection. I’ve dabbled with a couple of, however the one one I actually loved was the spinoff, Monster Hunter Tales. But my worries had been unfounded, as I’ll share. Simply don’t anticipate any form of detailed comparisons between the video games. I’m approaching Wild Hearts S in basically uncharted territory.
After customizing your hunter from high to backside, you’re dropped into Azuma, a land underneath rampage by Kemono, “giant-nature infused beasts.” In the event you’re a Simpsons fan, consider the Treehouse of Horror phase “Fly vs. Fly”, besides right here it’s critters and shrubbery getting tangled in Professor Frink’s matter transporter. Some look cute sufficient, others horrifying, however equip your weapons (which can strengthen in time) and take these wild beasts out earlier than they uproot the human inhabitants.
Additionally, be sure you make the most of know-how, particularly Karakuri tech. It’s one factor to slice up a beast with a sword or slowly choose them off with an arrow. It’s one other to create an enormous wall from skinny air and have the beasts slam into it, beautiful and knocking them down. Or making a catapult, flinging your self by means of the air, and hanging them for appreciable injury from above. Victory is all the time rewarding, however the tech makes it even extra satisfying and entertaining. Don’t hesitate to experiment.
All this isn’t to say your fundamental weapons-based fight isn’t gratifying. However, in my expertise, some highly effective on-paper mixtures typically show impractical within the warmth of battle, as a result of animations. It jogs my memory virtually of a cinematic platformer, the place your follow-up controls are locked out till the animation of your preliminary management enter performs out, if that is smart. Fortunately, it’s enjoyable to check the totally different strikes and upgrades. Utilizing the terrain to your benefit may restrict any frustration.
In actual fact, the terrain performs a large position. Through the large fights, monsters are likely to scamper to regroup and lick their wounds after absorbing a specific amount of harm. It’s possible you’ll start a skirmish with the benefit of upper floor, or begin in a dilapidated city the place you possibly can disguise in nooks and crannies a monster can’t attain. However upon reengaging, you’re now in a extra open subject, and their measurement benefit offers the beasts a velocity and nimbleness edge you possibly can’t match. By all means, be inspired if you happen to see them limping, but in addition preserve your guard up, as they’ve surprises when flight is not a sensible choice. As a result of whereas sure terrain can cease them, they may destroy as a lot as doable, most likely greater than you believe you studied.
The fights are bona fide theatrical and may play out lengthily earlier than victory is obtained. Fortunately, you possibly can strategically arrange camps within the massive world to restrict time spent navigating, and the fights themselves hardly ever appear repetitive. And whereas there are lots of intimidating menus (anticipated for this fashion of sport), the moment-to-moment gameplay doesn’t actually have them, holding the motion close to the forefront. The truth that my spouse, who has by no means performed a Monster Hunter sport and even any sport resembling this, might rapidly study and begin positively proudly owning a few of these intimidating beasts speaks to the sport’s stunning instinct.
Talking of, I hoped to play the sport cooperatively alongside my spouse. Sadly, multiplayer is proscribed to having a number of Swap 2 programs (impractical at $500 a pop) or enjoying on-line. The latter received me an “Unable to attach” message. However as I’ve little need to go surfing, this fluke was only a blip on my radar. For these enthusiastic about on-line play (as much as 4 gamers on Swap 2), I’ve heard optimistic experiences. I suppose I used to be spoiled by 2010s Monster Hunter Tri having splitscreen on the standard Wii. Nonetheless, we had enjoyable buying and selling off numerous battles. I’m additionally capable of hand off the controller for some errands within the city of Minato that I’m much less enthusiastic about (shopping for and promoting, determining supplies for upgrades, and the like).
Minato itself could be partaking. It’s a cliffside city, primarily consisting of these fleeing problematic lives underneath Samurai (the inspiration from feudal Japan is distinguished on this sport). Right here you possibly can chat with different characters, get aspect quests, and slowly convey extra life to the city by means of your searching exploits. Whereas fight is the main focus, I imagine the general story beats and characters take advantage of their appearances. The vocal work is a blended bag, however at its finest, it offers the sport an actual skilled air. Seeking to catch your breath after a painful hunt? Minato is an gratifying and picturesque respite. Interacting with individuals going about their day by day lives not solely combats any loneliness, however it additionally jogs my memory of why I’m combating: to guard them.
Whereas I acknowledge it’s uncommon on this subgenre, I want Wild Hearts S would allow you to energy the participant character past their weapon and armor energy. Such rapid reward might assist preserve motivation if/when repetition begins setting in, though the aforementioned aspect quests additionally assist. In any case, it might simply be an additional means so as to add steadiness and variety to the sport, not that it’s missing a lot in that regard.
Visually, Wild Hearts S appears to be like fairly good, though there’s a measure of inconsistency. A number of the characters look a bit lifeless. Others are uncannily actual, particularly to somebody like me who’s been gaming completely on underpowered Nintendo {hardware} for a number of generations. I’m positive there are these jarred by sure textures, transient fuzziness, and framerate inconsistencies enjoying in handheld mode. However as I kind, I solely bear in mind the optimistic. And truthfully, how attention-grabbing is a evaluation if it fixates on graphical comparisons on the expense of glossing over the gameplay? As a result of let’s be trustworthy, what number of Nintendo gamers performed by means of the unique 2023 sport? It didn’t precisely mild up the gross sales charts. However hopefully, it finds a brand new viewers on Swap 2.
As somebody with restricted expertise with video games of this nature, Wild Hearts S has proved surprisingly addictive. Take a look at the demo if you happen to’re curious, however I actually imagine it’ll be a sport that grows on you. Despite the fact that I really feel like there are specific respects the place I’ve solely scratched the floor (dozens of hours in, no much less), the sport is intuitive within the areas it must be. Such approachable depth that avoids the overwhelming trappings makes this sport a winner and a keeper.
