Introduction

Wild Hearts is like if Monster Hunter and Fortnite had a baby-except this baby is a little weird and maybe has some issues. Set in a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan, it invites you to hunt massive monsters (or 'Kemono' as they're called) while also encouraging you to play house with some nifty building mechanics. Think of it as an elaborate DIY project where you can absolutely lose a limb if you mess it up.

Gameplay

On the surface, you'll assume the role of a nameless hunter, roaming the beautiful yet dangerously hostile land of Azuma. Imagine it's like a nature walk, but instead of admiring the flora and fauna, you're trying not to become the flora or fauna. The game isn't quite open-world, which gives it a slightly more linear feel. But don't worry, there are plenty of areas to explore, as all great video game adventures require at least 15 minutes of needless wandering to build character. Combat is the bread and butter here, boasting eight different weapon types. Players can swing katanas like they've seen one too many samurai movies or use... uh, wagasa? It's basically a traditional Japanese umbrella, which I assume is for shielding oneself from the rain, or perhaps for hitting gigantic monsters between the eyes. A neat new mechanic called Karakuri allows you to construct helpful tools, turning your hunter into an impromptu engineer. Need to leap off a crate to land a spectacular blow? Build the crate! Want to ignite an enemy? Build a torch! Honestly, I'm just impressed you can build anything at all when there are giant nature-folk wanting to eat you. Speaking of hunting, you'll be out there slaying monsters for about 30 hours if you're focusing on the main story. Feel free to invite two friends to join you on your monster-slaying escapades, because nothing says teamwork like five people trying to take down a giant beast at once while yelling unintelligibly at each other. In this whimsical world, you'll befriend townsfolk, assist a blacksmith, and strategize your attacks-adventure awaits, as long as you can dodge the giant teeth and tail swipes of furious Kemono.

Graphics

Visually, Wild Hearts is akin to a slightly less polished Nature documentary-at least when it comes to its monsters. The environments are lush, filled with stunning seasonal biomes, which are impressive until you remember they're about to be reduced to ruins once you summon a colossal beast. It's almost poetic, really. The graphics have been improved with every new release in this genre, and there are moments where the art direction really shines. Just don't get too comfortable; you'll likely find yourself zooming past the intricate details as you try to avoid getting flattened by a charging giant wolf. But overall, there really are some beautiful sights if you can stop staring at the carnage long enough to appreciate them.

Conclusion

Wild Hearts is an enjoyable jaunt into an imaginative world that blends monster hunting with building mechanics, giving players the chance to be both a fierce warrior and a slightly confused contractor. While it stumbles in places, like any newly arrived game trying to carve its niche in a somewhat crowded yard, it still packs ample fun-so much so that you might end up pondering the existentialism of slaying giant beasts while simultaneously scheduling your next crafting session. It's not quite the next big thing, but it's definitely worth checking out if you can manage to get past that first encounter without losing a leg.

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