Wild Hearts offers a unique twist on the monster hunting genre, combining creature combat with Japanese-inspired crafting. The game comes from Omega Force, a division of Koei Tecmo responsible for the Dynasty Warriors series, in partnership with EA Originals. Screen Rant attended a final preview event for the game that offered more details than ever before, particularly when it comes to the game's creatures, weapons, and crafting.
While the two titles do bear similarities to one another, Wild Hearts isn't a Monster Hunter clone. Set in a fantasy feudal Japan, the game takes inspiration from the real-life thread art Karakuri for its crafting, which can be utilized both in and out of battle. This alongside an ample choice of weapons are what players will use to protect the land of Azuma from Kemono, the nature-infused beasts that have been destroying the world and its inhabitants.
The latest preview offered more insight into the weapons of Wild Hearts, which will be available in eight distinct classes: Karakuri Katana, Nodachi, Bow, Maul, Bladed Wagasa, Hand Cannon, Claw Blade, and Karakuri Staff. The first five of these will be available to players from the start of the game, while the others will be unlocked as the story progresses. These variances play a big part in the mechanics of Wild Hearts, functioning in a way akin to a class system that will give hunters a variety of styles to experiment with.
A broader look at the game's Kemono was also given during the latest preview, showing off over 20 that players will encounter throughout Wild Hearts' four main season-inspired areas. All the Kemono are based on real-world animals with an elemental twist, from the flying Spineglider that secretes a rock-creating liquid to the fiery, peacock-esque Emberplume. Each one has unique attack patterns and weaknesses, and the presentation emphasized how eating foods that offer different elemental resistances can be key to victory in some Kemono fights.
The game's crafting system will also play a large role in helping players come out on top in Wild Hearts, featuring both offensive and defensive options. Wild Hearts has three different types of Karakuri, Basic, Fusion, and Dragon, that are useful in different ways. Dragon Karakuri like hunting towers and hunter's tents provide more long-term utility, while Basic and Fusion pieces like crates, chain traps, and celestial cannons usually serve their purpose while in the midst of battling Kemono.
The latest Wild Hearts presentation revealed that there are significant plans for the game after launch, with two updates already in the works. Players won't need a battle pass for more content to receive the DLC, with all planned offerings for Wild Hearts arriving at no cost. This includes an update in March that will add new subspecies and "deeply volatile" Kemono, weapon and armor variations, higher-difficulty quests, and any necessary bug fixes, as well as another slated for April that will contain much of the same alongside new Karakuri and a weapon and armor enhancement system.
It looks as though Wild Hearts will give players a completely new style of monster hunting experience, where they'll not only have to think of how to use their weapon, but their Karakuri as well. The already in-depth world of Azuma will grow over time with future updates, giving players even more to discover about its creatures alongside new ways to evolve their character. Hunters will get to discover everything Wild Hearts has to offer when it releases later this month.
Source: WILD HEARTS/YouTube
Wild Hearts will release February 17 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the EA App. Screen Rant attended a special presentation for the purpose of this preview.