Wild Hearts

55%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,659 reviews
  • optimization
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Wild Hearts Game Cover
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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

55%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,659 reviews
gameplay502 positive mentions
optimization811 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique Karakuri system that adds depth to combat and allows for creative strategies during hunts.
  • The visuals and monster designs are stunning, providing an immersive experience in a beautifully crafted world.
  • The combat is fast-paced and engaging, with a variety of weapons that feel satisfying to use.
  • The game suffers from severe performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on high-end PCs.
  • There is a lack of monster variety, with many creatures being reskins or variants of existing ones.
  • The game has been abandoned by EA, leading to concerns about future support and updates.
  • optimization3,058 mentions

    The optimization of "Wild Hearts" has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have managed to achieve stable performance through various tweaks, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for PC, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Despite the fun gameplay and potential of the title, the lack of effective optimization has resulted in a significant number of negative reviews, with players recommending waiting for patches before purchasing.

    • “Minor performance hiccups: while the game runs well overall, there are occasional frame drops and small bugs that can disrupt the experience momentarily.”
    • “It's a fun game which is held back by optimization issues and bugs.”
    • “The performance issues seem to be fixed and the gameplay is great!”
    • “The performance is so bad that it is unplayable; there is so much stuttering going on that I am baffled anyone approved this port to even be sold to customers.”
    • “Whatever merits the game may or may not have is irrelevant because the optimization is so abysmal.”
    • “The game is a hot mess of bugs, bad performance, and jank.”
  • gameplay1,078 mentions

    The gameplay of "Wild Hearts" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its innovative mechanics, particularly the karakuri building system, which adds depth and strategy to monster hunting. While the combat is generally described as fast-paced and satisfying, reminiscent of the Monster Hunter series, some players have noted issues with clunky controls and performance problems that detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is seen as a refreshing alternative in the genre, offering unique weapons and engaging gameplay that can be particularly enjoyable in cooperative play.

    • “Wild Hearts shines in its combat and hunting mechanics.”
    • “The combination of basic, fusion, and dragon karakuri adds depth and versatility to gameplay, making each hunt unique and engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and comfortably complicated, offering a challenge without feeling overwhelming.”
    • “However, the gameplay can feel a bit clunky at times, and the controls don’t always respond as smoothly as you'd hope.”
    • “The game introduces this karakuri system, which lets you build structures to fight monsters, but the whole mechanic feels clunky and unreliable.”
    • “The gameplay quickly becomes repetitive, with little variation or excitement from beginning to end.”
  • graphics705 mentions

    The graphics of "Wild Hearts" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the art style and aesthetic, particularly its vibrant environments and character designs. However, numerous complaints highlight significant performance issues, including inconsistent frame rates, stuttering, and graphical glitches, which detract from the overall experience. While some players report smooth performance on high-end systems, others struggle to achieve playable frame rates even on low settings, leading to a consensus that the game requires further optimization to meet modern graphical standards.

    • “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 art style and graphics are incredibly detailed, and the world feels alive and vibrant.”
    • “The graphics are aesthetically pleasing even on medium settings, the building is innovative and adds life to the battle against the bosses, the bosses are sometimes hard to beat but that's what makes it all the more rewarding when you beat it.”
    • “The game world is large, but overall the graphics and the monster interactions, or lack thereof, do not justify the performance.”
    • “The biggest downside of Wild Hearts is definitely on the technical side – the performance is really bad for the graphics it offers.”
    • “The graphics are like something from a PS3 era, and it looks like just an overall copy from Monster Hunter World but with a few more features.”
  • story572 mentions

    The story in "Wild Hearts" is generally viewed as a step up from typical monster-hunting games, with some players appreciating its character depth and world-building, while others find it lacking in engagement and originality. Many reviews highlight that while the narrative serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, it often feels basic or repetitive, with some missions and character arcs ending abruptly or feeling underdeveloped. Overall, the story is considered serviceable, providing enough context to support the hunting mechanics, but it doesn't stand out as a major draw for players.

    • “The story is captivating, and it keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
    • “The story is interesting enough so far, but nothing to write home about.”
    • “The story, although bare-bones and basic, is better than Monster Hunter.”
    • “The story has potential but doesn’t fully engage, leaving players without a strong motivation to continue.”
    • “The story feels half-baked and not very good.”
    • “The storyline is pretty basic, which isn't a problem, but it's not going to blow anyone's socks off.”
  • grinding147 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Wild Hearts" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the streamlined mechanics and find enjoyment in the farming process, many others criticize it for being excessively tedious, particularly in the endgame where players must repeatedly hunt the same monsters for materials and cosmetic upgrades. Overall, the game is seen as more grind-heavy than its predecessors in the genre, with a lack of meaningful rewards for the time invested.

    • “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.”
    • “Main issue - grinding: monster hunter and the hunting genre is known for its grind and RPG elements that have earned its reputation of players sinking hundreds of hours into their games, but the way Wild Hearts goes about it brings out the mediocre and worst of the grinding in the genre.”
    • “The game is extremely grindy, sometimes taking tens of hunts to even upgrade a single weapon if you're unlucky like me.”
  • music145 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall experience. Composed by Masashi Hamauzu, the soundtrack blends traditional Japanese elements with modern orchestral flair, perfectly complementing the game's visuals and gameplay. Despite some reports of audio bugs, the music remains a standout feature, often described as moving, immersive, and integral to the game's atmosphere.

    • “Everything is scored by Masashi Hamauzu of Saga and Final Fantasy fame, and honestly the music alone is worth the price of admission.”
    • “The soundtrack fits perfectly and has the same 'otherworldly Japan' identity that the art direction has.”
    • “The music is simply divine.”
    • “The music in the game, as well as the sound effects, are well... second rate at best, in my opinion.”
    • “I've had sounds bug out on me where the game just goes completely silent, or I've killed a monster and the theme music just keeps on playing for ages afterwards.”
    • “Game is in dire need for optimization for PC; I only ran into one actual bug, and that's where the audio begins to corrupt and eventually you are left with only ambient music with no battle sounds, menu sounds, etc.”
  • stability137 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, stutters, and graphical glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users have experienced improvements after patches, the overall consensus is that the game remains buggy and poorly optimized, making it frustrating for many, especially at its full price. Despite these issues, a few players have noted that it can run well on high-end systems, but the performance problems are still prevalent for a large portion of the player base.

    • “The game runs great now and has some really unique takes on equipment and combat.”
    • “Many of the performance issues have been addressed for me now and the game runs great, even in multiplayer.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game itself would be so much fun, but screen freezes, huge FPS drops... can't get myself to enjoy a game that released so horribly optimized and literally after half a year still plays like garbage.”
    • “I spent an entire weekend troubleshooting why my game would crash ~3 minutes into a fight until I said whatever and set everything to low with FPS limit at 30fps.”
  • humor29 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of slapstick moments, quirky character designs, and amusing gameplay glitches that often lead to unexpected and funny situations. Players appreciate the well-written comedic elements, such as the absurdity of AI behavior and the clunky mechanics, which contribute to a lighthearted experience despite the game's technical shortcomings. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making it entertaining even when the game faces performance issues.

    • “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.”
  • monetization16 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" and criticizing the $70 price tag as steep, especially given the lack of in-game purchases or microtransactions. However, concerns about long-term support and the presence of EA's adware have further soured opinions, leading to frustration over the perceived exploitation by the publisher. Overall, while some appreciate the absence of microtransactions, the game's monetization practices and EA's involvement have left many players dissatisfied.

    • “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.”
    • “Regardless of the unplayable framerate, this game installs EA adware onto your computer. It's absolutely disgusting practice to mask the install as just a game when it's also installing a whole game launcher that eats up your CPU, launches on startup by default, and plays video advertisements in the background when the game and launcher are not even running.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the ability to upgrade mid-tier weapons and revisit lower-tier monsters, others find the lack of variety and end-game content limits long-term engagement. Recent balancing and performance improvements have enhanced the experience for some, but overall, the consensus suggests that replay value is not as strong as in competing titles.

    • “And there are mid-tier weapons that can be upgraded further to compete with endgame weapons if you like their inherent skills, or you can RNG roll the two inherent skills on them. This makes for good replayability and reasons to revisit lower-tier kemono and help newbies.”
    • “Should also mention this game is no longer getting new content, but the content and replay value are there, so I'm in for the long run :)”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of Wild Hearts is widely praised for its enchanting and whimsical landscapes, drawing inspiration from Japanese aesthetics and medieval fantasy elements. The unique art style and engaging soundtrack enhance the immersive experience, although some players note that performance issues can detract from the overall ambiance. Overall, the game successfully combines elements reminiscent of titles like Sekiro and Monster Hunter, creating a captivating environment for players.

    • “The world of Wild Hearts is visually enchanting, filled with atmospheric landscapes that set the tone for each hunt.”
    • “The game's art style is unique and colorful, and it really helps to create this whimsical, dream-like atmosphere that just draws you in.”
    • “The art style, music, and overall atmosphere is amazing.”
    • “The game's art style is unique and colorful, and it really helps to create this whimsical, dream-like atmosphere that just draws you in; though it could improve on the art style direction compared to Monster Hunter World.”
    • “The art design is really good; you can find some Princess Mononoke's influence in the monster design, atmosphere, and nature, while the destroyed buildings (temples, fortifications) make the maps look more grounded than Monster Hunter Rise.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, with many experiencing a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak, particularly during key moments like the final boss and ending cinematic. However, some users express disappointment with the storytelling and pacing, feeling disconnected during certain dialogues and cutscenes. Overall, while the game has the potential to evoke deep emotions, its execution has left some players wanting more.

    • “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.”
    • “The final boss is exceptional, and the ending cinematic was so emotional... it was really good.”
    • “I almost shed a tear... thank you.”
    • “The story's introduction was incredibly boring and failed to engage me emotionally.”
    • “I felt no connection to the characters, which made the emotional moments fall flat.”
    • “The emotional depth of the narrative was lacking, leaving me feeling indifferent.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for being superficial and lacking depth, with players expressing a desire for more intricate backstories. While the world-building and character design are praised, the overall narrative fails to create a strong emotional connection, leaving many feeling detached from the story and its characters.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Wild Hearts

Play time

16hMedian play time
67hAverage play time
6-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 87 analyzed playthroughs

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