Wild Hearts

While Wild Hearts doesn't shy away from its inspiration, it's unique spin on a tried and tested formula sets it apart from its contemporaries.

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In "WILD HEARTS™", players enter a mystical land where they must hunt towering monsters called Kemono, using a special tool called the Karakuri. With a variety of weapons, customizable gear, and a companionable dog, players uncover the land's mysteries and restore balance to the ecosystem. TeamNUKE has provided no additional information about this captivating action RPG.

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Reviews

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,653 reviews

gameplay407 positive mentions

optimization619 negative mentions

The game offers a refreshing take on the monster hunting genre with unique mechanics and fast-paced combat.
The visuals and monster designs are stunning, creating an immersive experience.
The Karakuri system adds depth to gameplay, allowing for creative strategies during hunts.

The game suffers from severe performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, making it difficult to play.
Many players experience crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustration.
The armor and weapon systems feel underdeveloped compared to competitors, with limited variety and effectiveness.

optimization
2,438 mentions
10 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Wild Hearts" has been widely criticized, with players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent frame rates, even on high-end systems. Many reviews highlight that the game feels unplayable at times, particularly in multiplayer settings, and express frustration over the lack of timely patches to address these issues. While some players have managed to find workarounds or experienced fewer problems, the overall sentiment is that the game requires significant optimization improvements to meet player expectations.
- “A great game hidden under performance issues, but you can overlook that if you have a 'decent' PC.”
- “I will still recommend it because optimization and EA aside, it is a stunningly good game.”
- “Despite the performance issues, I really enjoyed this game at first.”
- “Absolutely abysmal performance on any hardware.”
- “The game is solid, but its launch was riddled with performance issues, and like any EA game, that was enough to give it the axe instead of just giving it that little bit of time and resources it needed to be a great experience.”
- “The performance issues are so bad and have been unaddressed for so long that I actually feel scammed by the developers.”
gameplay
868 mentions
47 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wild Hearts" has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its innovative mechanics, particularly the karakuri building system, which adds depth to combat and exploration. While the core gameplay loop is engaging and reminiscent of the "Monster Hunter" series, players have noted significant performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Despite these technical challenges, the unique weapon variety and satisfying combat mechanics have made it a compelling alternative for fans of the genre.
- “The gameplay is fast, challenging, and satisfying, and the design of just about everything is magnificent.”
- “The gameplay is amazing, the karakuri really adds a lot to the combat, and each of the eight weapons feels unique enough that you couldn't really compare any of them to Monster Hunter's weapons.”
- “Wild Hearts manages to carve out its own identity in a genre dominated by Monster Hunter: World/Rise through its clever take on classic monster hunting gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is slow and clunky, and the player will often find themselves fighting against frame rate drops and falling through the map or pieces of geometry that load in at random then disappear again.”
- “The building mechanic is surprisingly fast to get used to and fun, it's kinda nice to be able to contort this world to my needs.”
- “The gameplay quickly becomes repetitive, with little variation or excitement from beginning to end.”
graphics
540 mentions
23 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Wild Hearts" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising its beautiful art style and vibrant aesthetics reminiscent of traditional Japanese themes. However, numerous complaints highlight significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates across various settings, leading to a perception that the graphics are subpar compared to current-generation standards. Overall, while the visual design is appreciated, the game's optimization and graphical fidelity have left many players disappointed, especially given its price point.
- “The visuals of each kemono and each region are breathtaking, assuming your computer can handle at least moderate graphics, and even without them, the brushstroke color palette and world design bring it about as close to a Ghibli-style action video game as I've ever seen.”
- “The artistic design of the world and the kemono within are stunning and look incredible if you are able to run the game on max graphical settings.”
- “The graphics and art-style are amazing, the game is gorgeous to look at and explore.”
- “The graphical environment is very unpolished; at first glance, the game looked good, but instead of a consistent visual/art style, it chose to look like something from the PS2-3 era that got new makeup to look like a modern game. Most kemono look decent, but many environment details and effects from many monsters' abilities looked terrible, like they don't belong to this dimension.”
- “I truly don't think it's worth $70 even without the performance issues, as the graphic fidelity is that of a game between an Xbox 360 and Xbox One visually, even on the highest settings.”
- “The game runs so hilariously bad that it's laughable; it's not even justified. The game has average graphics from a last-generation game, so why does it run so poorly?”
story
444 mentions
20 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "Wild Hearts" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it serviceable but not particularly engaging, often comparing it unfavorably to the narratives in "Monster Hunter" games. While some appreciate the cultural influences and character depth, others criticize the pacing, lack of impactful moments, and a disappointing ending. Overall, the story serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay, with many players opting to skip dialogue and cutscenes to focus on the hunting mechanics.
- “Beyond the exceptional gameplay, the story proved captivating and engaging.”
- “The story itself showcases a blend of Japanese and Western cultural influences, with philosophy subtly woven throughout.”
- “The game does an excellent job of presenting the world and its stakes, and Minato is full of people you can care about, as opposed to the bare-bones, comparatively surface-level scripts that make up Capcom's Monster Hunter story and character designs.”
- “The story feels half-baked and not very good.”
- “The story ending was a letdown; the story boss fight too, although it looked very epic but too easy. Not on par with the level of epicness, and the true 'last boss' was totally a letdown. I don't feel rewarded or accomplished when I end the story.”
- “The storyline is pretty basic, which isn't a problem, but it's not going to blow anyone's socks off.”
grinding
112 mentions
3 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Wild Hearts" has received mixed feedback from players. While some enjoy the extensive farming for materials and gear, appreciating the depth of customization and the engaging gameplay loop, many find the endgame grind excessively tedious and lacking in meaningful rewards, particularly for cosmetic items. Overall, the game is noted to be more grind-heavy than similar titles in the genre, which may deter players who prefer a less time-consuming experience.
- “And the grind... good god, whoever said Monster Hunter wasn't grindy enough clearly inspired this game.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Wild Hearts has plenty of healing charges that require no farming or grinding.”
- “The endgame is quite grindy and doesn't provide as much incentive to keep going given how relatively small or hard-to-get the gear augmentations or layered armor is.”
- “This game is a mess; I really enjoyed it at first, but the grind is way too much in the late game. Grinding for weapons and armors isn't a bad example in the Monster Hunter series, but in this game, when I have to hunt the same monster 10+ times to get the normal armor and not the demon or human variants, it takes way too much out of it.”
- “The gameplay loop is similar to Monster Hunter in that you farm a monster for its materials to make its armor/weapons, but there's also quite an in-depth camp system attached to it that aids in making better foods for buffs and eventually auto-farming some materials.”
music
107 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and composition, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the overall experience through a captivating and diverse soundtrack that ranges from soothing melodies to intense battle themes. While some players noted occasional sound bugs that detracted from the experience, the overwhelming sentiment is that the music is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and emotional depth. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a perfect blend of traditional and modern influences, making it one of the game's strongest aspects.
- “And oh boy does it deliver... the beautiful maps, environments, the traditional armor design, and the mellifluous soundtrack all contribute to create a game that looks and sounds sublime.”
- “The music is simply divine.”
- “The music is phenomenal, really cool, classic Japanese music with a bit of oomph added in fights.”
- “Music: the music in the game as well as the sound effects are well…second rate at best in my opinion.”
- “I doubt it will win any music awards at all or even be nominated.”
- “The soundtrack is probably the biggest shortcoming in terms of 'soul' that Monster Hunter brings compared to this.”
stability
104 mentions
8 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various graphical glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players have expressed frustration over the game's performance, particularly during combat and multiplayer sessions, leading to a consensus that it feels unfinished and poorly optimized for full-price release. While some have noted improvements after patches, the overall sentiment remains that the game requires further work to address its numerous stability issues.
- “Many of the performance issues have been addressed for me now and the game runs great, even in multiplayer.”
- “Runs great at 60fps on standard settings.”
- “Not sure if people are just trying to review bomb because it's EA or if they just like to complain, but the game is amazing, it runs great, I haven't had any optimization issues so far, no issues with hit boxes.”
- “Still too buggy for a full price game.”
- “The game is buggy and looks like shit but damn is it fun.”
- “It's outrageous that a game can be released in such a state with graphical glitches and bugs to the point that it is virtually unplayable, and that it can be priced at $70 to boot.”
humor
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by slapstick elements and unintentional comedic moments, such as awkward AI movements and clunky character controls. Players find amusement in the game's numerous bugs and performance issues, which often lead to absurd situations, like slow-motion gameplay and erratic camera behavior. Overall, the humor is a mix of intentional design and the game's technical shortcomings, making for a uniquely entertaining experience despite its flaws.
- “This slapstick-style humor injected a delightful element of entertainment into the narrative.”
- “Your character is hilariously clunky.”
- “The monsters here behave more like homing missiles with most of their attacks, making the fight more like a Dark Souls boss fight and creating some very funny situations like craters in the air.”
monetization
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and battle passes, while others criticize the $70 price tag as steep for the content offered. Many users express concerns that the game feels like a cash grab, particularly given its association with EA, and worry about the long-term support and future monetization strategies. Overall, while the lack of in-game purchases is a positive note, the game's pricing and perceived lack of value have led to significant dissatisfaction among players.
- “No in-game purchases, just a solid game.”
- “No microtransactions, plenty of monsters.”
- “I was willing to give the game's price tag a pass since they assured us that they had no plans for microtransactions.”
- “Just another cash grab. EA is copying the blueprint of Anthem.”
- “This is clearly a cash grab.”
- “I was willing to give the game's price tag a pass since they assured us that they had no plans for microtransactions, but this is just abysmal.”
replayability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while players appreciate the ability to upgrade mid-tier weapons and revisit lower-tier monsters, the overall lack of variety in monster encounters and the absence of new content limit long-term engagement. Some recent updates have improved gameplay performance, which has positively impacted replay value, but many players still feel that the game lacks sufficient end-game content to sustain interest.
- “Should also mention this game is no longer getting new content though so what you get is what you get, but the content and replay value is there so I'm in for the long run :)”
- “Even if you have to use a 30 fps cap like me, the game is absolutely worth it and with the recent balancing and content patches, the replayability has risen dramatically.”
- “Koei did replayability so well; the total monster count is fewer than Capcom's Monster Hunter, but each chapter introduces and changes existing moves while introducing new monsters to fight.”
- “Monsters are somewhat unique and their move-sets aren't bad, but variety is severely lacking, leading to diminished replay value.”
- “And because there is no end-game or replay value, few people continue to play this game.”
- “Koei did replayability so well, the total monster count is fewer than Capcom's Monster Hunter, but each chapter introduces and changes existing moves while introducing new monsters to fight.”
emotional
13 mentions
92 % positive mentions
-15 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game resonates strongly with players, evoking a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak, particularly through its impactful storytelling and character moments. While some players found the narrative engaging and moving, others criticized the pacing and execution of cutscenes, which detracted from their emotional experience. Overall, the game is noted for its ability to create memorable emotional highs, especially during key moments like the final boss and ending cinematic.
- “If you're the type to get attached to the emotional story a game tells you, this game will take you places with soaring highs and crushing lows.”
- “I think one kemono that really almost made me cry is the golden tempest!”
- “The final boss is exceptional, and the ending cinematic was so emotional... it was really good.”
- “The story intro was incredibly boring and failed to engage me emotionally.”
- “I found the emotional moments to be flat and unconvincing.”
- “The characters lacked depth, making it hard to feel any emotional connection.”
atmosphere
12 mentions
75 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful and unique Japanese-inspired design, reminiscent of works like "Princess Mononoke," and features a blend of medieval fantasy elements. Players appreciate the immersive environments, detailed level design, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, some users report that performance issues can detract from the otherwise stunning atmosphere.
- “Beautiful game with a very Japanese atmosphere.”
- “Great atmosphere, fun battles.”
- “A beautiful magical atmosphere with great level design.”
- “Mix the atmosphere of Sekiro with the high points of the Monster Hunter franchise, add satisfying weapons, and strip out half the annoying prep and go from there.”
- “The game's soundtrack is also noteworthy - it's an excellent mix of electronic and pop music that adds to the game's overall atmosphere.”
character development
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized for being shallow and lacking depth, with players expressing a desire for more substantial backstories. While the world and its stakes are well-presented, the characters themselves feel underdeveloped, leading to a disconnect from the narrative. Despite some praise for character design, the overall experience leaves players wanting more in terms of character engagement and development.
- “Character design was pretty cool, but it's one of those things that takes so long to choose.”
- “Could use deeper backstories and character development.”
- “The game does an excellent job of presenting the world and its stakes, and Minato is full of people you can care about, as opposed to the bare-bones, comparatively surface-level scripts that make up Capcom's Monster Hunter story and character designs.”
- “Character development is virtually non-existent, leaving players feeling disconnected from the game's story and its characters.”