Wild Hearts is the next action RPG in a long line of Monster Hunter-style releases. Capcom's latter franchise began on the PS2 in 2004, back before online connectivity was as solid as it is today. Many previous contenders tried to take the throne such as Gods Eater, Toukiden, and Freedom Wars, just to name a few.
Toukiden is actually a great series to bring up because Omega Force and Koei Tecmo developed those games along with Wild Hearts. This new game then is like a new attempt at dethroning the king. Does Wild Hearts succeed? Well, it’s not perfect, but it does introduce some interesting mechanics and features to the monster-hunting genre.
8 The Karakuri
There is no better place to start than with Wild Hearts' Minecraft-like mechanic of the Karakuri. Players will find a mysterious gauntlet in their journey which allows them to create matter out of thin air. They can create little constructs which range from simple things like boxes to more fantastical contraptions like the Flying Vibe.
This device is basically a zip line that can zoom players around the map. Another cool device is the Glider, which flies players into the air, and is great for exploring or fighting enemies.
7 No Need To Craft Other Items
Players have a limited amount of Karakuri that they can construct, but a meter does recharge as they fight enemies or pick up resources. There is no time-consuming crafting elements in the game for hunts though.
In most Monster Hunter games, players often have to take care of their weapons, craft traps, healing potions, and so on. Players will have to craft new gear in the HUB world or back at camps, but it is not as tedious in Wild Hearts. Everything is more automatic, making the game more about the hunt than the craft.
6 Kemono’s Go Super Saiyan
The boss-like monsters in this universe are referred to as Kemono. There is a good range of them in Wild Hearts, from one that looks like a flying squirrel to a giant rooster. Most Kemono can shape the land in various ways too, meaning that players are not the only ones who can craft constructs out of thin air.
Kingtusk, for example, can create trees and vine growths from its body. Kemono can also go into a rage mode that changes their appearance and boosts their power temporarily as if they were going Super Saiyan like in Dragon Ball Z.
5 Weapon Transformations
Players begin the game with a standard katana. Eventually, they will learn that Wild Hearts' weapons can go into a Super Saiyan-like state as well based on their special meter. The katana, for example, can become whip-like in nature giving it a better range on top of increasing the attack power.
All weapons have some type of altered state like this, or a secondary function to keep action RPG fans on their toes. Another example is the bow which can create powerful arrows that take longer to cast, but are worth it if timed right.
4 You Can Revive Teammates
The developers behind Wild Hearts copied one mechanic from the Monster Hunter series that fans may despise. Hunts have a life meter meaning that if a player dies enough times, the hunt becomes forfeit.
That’s the bad news, but there is good news for the monster-hunting fanatics out there. Players can be revived if they are playing a co-op match. This is a huge change and could mean all the difference in victory if all players keep on their toes.
3 Tsukumos
Wild Hearts gives players an AI companion to help in single-player, offline matches. The Tsukumo is a ball-like robot that will follow the player around much like the various Palamutes or Palicos from the Monster Hunter series.
Players can find wild Tsukumos on every map, and they will reward them with Old Cogs. These items can be used back at camp to boost various aspects of their Tsukumo such as their attack power, or healing abilities. It gives players more agency with their AI companion, which is a nice change of pace even if they aren’t as cute.
2 Building Your Own Camps
This addition is a huge one. Players can set up their own camps in the game, essentially allowing them to checkpoint wherever they please. This will help in hunts a lot of players know the areas where Kemono typically roam.
There is a catch though as players need materials to set up tents, which is how players can fast travel. Players have to unearth Dragon Pits, which reward them with specific materials. Upgrading these Dragon Pits will net even better materials, and although it’s a time-consuming process, the hassle is worth it.
1 A Lower Multiplayer Count
There is one downside to the changes made in Wild Hearts over the Monster Hunter games. Players can only play co-op in teams of three total. The max number in most Monster Hunter games is four. It’s odd that the developers would want to decrease the co-op instead of increasing it to outdo Capcom at their own game. It’s a shame, but it doesn’t break the game at all. Wild Hearts is still easier in multiplayer even with just two friends tagging along.
Wild Hearts was released on February 16, 2023 and is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.