It’s the perfect time to be a fan of fighting mythical creatures, as the Monster Hunter series will have a worthy competitor in the form of Wild Heart.
The EA Originals series
Wild Hearts is the newest addition to the EA Originals catalog. Some say that Electronic Arts has only published sequels and remakes, and that’s true for the most part. However, even this soulless giant has some tricks up its sleeve. In 2017, EA launched the EA Originals series in order to support independent game developers. A couple of notable titles have been released under this label, such as Unravel games, A Way Out, and most of all, It Takes Two, a superfan cooperative adventure game that won tons of awards, including the Game of the Year in 2021. Now, Wild Hearts joins them.
Become a hunter
Wild Hearts is an action RPG developed by the Japanese studio Omega Force, known mostly for the Dynasty Warriors and Toukiden series. Its new game takes place in the world of Azuma, inspired by feudal Japan. This fictional land consists of four large areas, each inspired by a different season and inhabited by enormous beasts known as Kemono.
Those monsters not only strike fear into hearts with their giant sizes but also with their lethal powers as they wield the forces of primal nature. There’s the flying and fire-breathing Amaterasu, the Lavaback that looks like a living swamp, and the wolf-like Deathstalker, to name a few. You can find the detailed description of all Kemono on the game’s official site. Only hunters stand between terrified people and the sharp teeth of the monsters. You’ll assume the role of one of those fearless heroes.
Karikuri against Kemono
Monster Hunter fans will feel at home in Wild Hearts, as fighting deadly creatures requires learning the behavior and abilities of each beast. Knowing your opponent is the key to avoiding devastating attacks and emerging victorious. Unfortunately, even sharp skills, unmatched agility, and weapons are not enough to go toe-to-toe against the Kemono.
Unlike most RPG games set in fantasy worlds, Wild Hearts emphasizes technology. Besides standard weapons, hunters’ best ally on their dangerous missions is Karikuri. This ancient technology lets them build useful tools, items, traps, and other gadgets, helping them stand against the Kemono. Throughout your adventure, you will encounter new Karikuri, allowing you to diversify your strategy and hunting techniques. As a result, you’ll be able to fight more challenging Kemono. Constructing Karikuri seems like a fun feature, particularly for players who like crafting mechanics.
There are three main categories of Karakuri:
- Basic Karakuri are the most common craftable items, like the Crate, Glider, or Torch. They are very simple and fast to construct. Furthermore, Basic Karakuri don’t require many resources.
- Fusion Karakuri are more advanced constructs, that you can build by combining a few basic ones. The Star Bomb and repeater crossbow are good examples of this type. You can learn how to craft a new fusion Karakuri by fighting different Kemono.
- Dragon Karakuri are the most difficult to construct and require rare resources, but they are worth the effort for their powerful effects. The Roller (it lets a hunter quickly traverse long distances) and Wind Vortex (it propels you into the air) are examples of Dragon Karakuri.
Game modes and cross-play
Wild Hearts features a narrative campaign that lets you explore Azuma and its lore. According to the developers, it takes approximately 30 hours to beat the story mode. You can experience this adventure with up to two friends, as Wild Heart features a co-op mode. They can also use different platforms than you, thanks to cross-platform play. It’s important because Wild Hearts is a multiplatform game available on the PC, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5. The official release date for all of them was set for February 17, 2023.
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