Two months have passed since the launch of the
Nintendo Switch 2,
and
its software catalog continues to expand.
Although I generally consider it a machine for Nintendo exclusives, the new hardware is a good excuse
to revisit titles I missed originally. That’s especially true with
Wild Hearts S, the Switch 2 iteration of Koei Tecmo’s 2023 monster-slaying adventure.
Wild Hearts S effectively showcases the Switch 2’s potential for handling third-party releases,
demonstrating its ability to host games that were previously unplayable on the first-generation Switch,
such as the impressive launch title
Cyberpunk 2077.
Granted, Wild Hearts S doesn’t quite match the visual brilliance of its counterparts on PlayStation 5,
Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, as it more closely resembles the capabilities of a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
The textures may lack some fine details and sharpness, and the frame rate can experience dips during demanding moments.
However, for players who prioritize gameplay over visual fidelity, there’s considerable entertainment to be found.
Like its predecessor, Wild Hearts S puts you in the role of a custom character tasked with hunting kemono.
You’ll encounter smaller kemono roaming the maps that won’t pose much of a threat.
The excitement really takes off when pursuing the larger kemono – enormous beasts that are a fusion of animal and nature.
These designs often incorporate familiar animals, such as rabbits or boars, adorned with vines and foliage,
or equipped with sizable appendages they use as weapons.
The kemono are simultaneously captivating and terrifying; some exhibit docile behavior,
allowing you to admire the intricate details of a turtle with coral formations on its shell.
(My apologies to the turtle I eliminated prematurely –
I should have attempted to befriend you!)
However, other creatures, like the boar boss encountered early on, leave you no opportunity to admire them as they desperately try to kill you,
which is understandable given that you are hunting them.
The core gameplay revolves around hunting these massive kemono.
You’ll scout locations to find your gigantic prey, using towers to pinpoint their whereabouts.
The magical karakuri constructs are a key element of Wild Hearts S; these are wooden creations that help you explore and battle.
As you hunt, you unlock more karakuri; for instance, during an early battle, you learn to stack six crates to create a wall to halt the great boar’s charges.
You can also combine three springs to form a swinging hammer device, or three gliders to build a cloud of healing mist to gradually restore your character’s health.
Once you’ve located the kemono and gathered your karakuri tools, the battles are quite exciting.
These battles are long and make you feel like a powerful hunter fighting a truly powerful beast.
I enjoyed how time progressed during these encounters.
Daylight transitions to sunset and then to a star-filled sky, which makes your 20 minutes spent taking down a Kingtusk feel like hours of in-game battle.
I also got excited when I ran into the Lavaback for the first time.
I appreciate seeing enemies fighting each other in games because it makes the world feel more realistic and dangerous.
Seeing the Lavaback swing a Spineglider around like the Hulk does with Loki shows that Wild Hearts S is alive and even more perilous.
I had just exhausted myself defeating a Spineglider, and now a Lavaback is easily flinging it around? Oh boy.
Because the kemono are so huge, Wild Hearts S can sometimes have camera issues.
I’m not very familiar with the Monster Hunter games, so some fights felt like facing off against huge monsters in a FromSoftware game;
the camera would move through the kemono model, which gave me a nice look at the inside of the creatures.
Getting too close to a cliff is also dangerous. Because the kemono models are so big, the camera often was unhelpful and didn’t show me,
instead showing the kemono’s back as it trampled me.
Then, of course, the camera clipped right through the kemono.
In summary, Wild Hearts S is an enjoyable experience and a great addition to the Nintendo Switch 2’s library.
Although its graphics might not impress you, that’s not too surprising and shouldn’t be a high priority for handheld gaming.
Hunting huge monsters provides a fun and engaging gameplay loop, and I look forward to more monster hunting while on the go.