Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores, but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, all whilst including some lengthy gameplay, to give you, the reader, the chance to form your own impressions and views while reading and watching.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering WILD HEARTS S by developer, Omega Force:
WILD HEARTS SÂ (Nintendo Switch 2)
Previously released in 2023, published by Electronic Arts, WILD HEARTS is an action RPG developed by Omega Force. But with a new console to release on and KOEI TECMO now handling the publication, WILD HEARTS S is the latest KOEI TECMO title to grace the Nintendo Switch 2 with its presence, releasing on July 25, 2025.
Before we dive right into the story and gameplay of WILD HEARTS S, let us begin by addressing the slight name alteration and version differences. The S is purely cosmetic as it signifies this is the Nintendo Switch 2 version. As for the differences, WILD HEARTS S does not feature voice and text chat features previously used, as they are replaced by the Nintendo Switch 2’s GameChat feature.
Cross-platform multiplayer is not supported, nor is HDR, but, on the plus side, having an EA account is not a requirement to play Wild Hearts S. The biggest change of all, however, is that while WILD HEARTS has support for three players to band together on a hunt, WILD HEARTS S has local wireless and online support for four players to come together.
Having four players work together was previously considered when Omega Force was originally developing WILD HEARTS, but that idea was scrapped due to the developers feeling four players spamming Karakuri would be overkill. The decision was overturned for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, and the original idea has now been implemented. As for the question of, “Does WILD HEARTS S feature any other new content?” The answer is “No,” and the reason why has been provided.
During an interview with Famitsu, WILD HEARTS S director, Takuto Edagawa, revealed that the team did think about adding new content, but they didn’t go through with it. This is due to the development team not wanting the original players of WILD HEARTS to think WILD HEARTS S is the definitive version of the game and force them to play it again.
Instead, they kept the existing content the same, so the same experience could be had by those who play it, regardless of which platform they play it on. So, the only “new” content WILD HEARTS S features compared to the original game is that the base version of S features all the post-release content that was added to WILD HEARTS. Thus, now that we’ve got that bit out of the way, it’s time for the story.
WILD HEARTS S has you take on the role of an unnamed hunter. Due to an ongoing war with Samurai and a decline in kemonos to hunt (monstrous beasts that “wield the power of primal nature”), the Hunter has departed their homeland and voyages to Azuma, which is where the game begins. Not long after discovering a piece of Karakuri technology, the hunter soon bites off more than they can chew when they come up against a powerful wolf kemono, capable of wielding ice. Left for dead, fate steps in, in the form of an NPC named Mujina.Â
Thanks to the mysterious Mujina’s quick thinking, the Karakuri seed found by the hunter is embedded into the hunter’s heart, and their life can carry on. Once conscious, the hunter is now able to harvest celestial threads and use them to conjure Karakuri objects, useful structures that can turn the tide of any battle in your favour. But, with the hunter tasked by Mujina to head to the town of Minato, the hunter’s journey is about to take them on a path most unexpected, full of allies, quests, and deadly animals to hunt across “four season-based hunting grounds.”
In terms of gameplay, as a monster-hunting action RPG, WILD HEARTS S follows a loop system of sorts. The hunter can explore each hunting ground to their liking. Exploration can be limited at first, as some ledges are too high to climb up, but as the hunter learns new Karakuri, such as springs, flying vines, and gliders (and upgrading them as soon as you are able to with your kemono orbs), new areas can be reached with minimal effort.
When not exploring, gathering materials, setting up new camps, or unlocking dragon veins, the main gameplay element of WILD HEARTS S is in the hunts themselves. Whether you choose to tough it out and fight alone or request assistance with a hunt against a Kingtusk, hunts will see you pursue giant kemono. Whether you happen upon them randomly in the field or actively accept a hunting mission to pursue your desired kemono, once a hunt begins, you must do everything you can to bring down the kemono.
With eight different weapon types to utilise, but only able to carry one at a time, and only five available in the beginning, it is very important to play around with each weapon type to find which playstyle suits your playstyle the best. We typically prefer the up-close and personal approach, but there are times when the bow and arrow are your best bet. This is because it allows you to attack from a reasonable distance when battling a much stronger kemono while your current weapon and armour have yet to be customised enough to withstand their devastating attacks.
Something else that can give an advantage in battle, as we touched on earlier in this review, is the Karakuri. While some Karakuri objects serve a practical use, others are effective at revealing where kemono can be found hiding, but when fighting specific kemono, there are times the hunter will be promoted to learn how to build a fusion Karakuri.Â
Fusion Karakuri is when you build the likes of six crates, but they turn into a bulwark, so if an enraged kemono charges at you, but hits the bulwark instead, it knocks them off their feet momentarily, so you can rush in and deal major damage. Of course, we personally like it when you create three springs, which turn into a Pounder, a giant wooden hammer that strikes in a single direction. You get that to hit a kemono, and major damage will be dealt.
When fighting giant kemono, don’t expect the fight to take place in one location, as they are prone to running off when enough damage is dealt, and they can unleash an enraged form, which is a noticeable transformation in their appearance. Their attacks will now be deadlier and their movements erratic. But, as long as you have been upgrading your Karakuri skills, weapons, armor sets, tsukumo, and possess a never-say-die attitude, even the toughest of foes will fall by your blade, or the blades of those who come to your aid. There are also regular kemono, which are the smaller animals you will encounter all over the map, but these ones pose less of a risk and can be taken down easily by yourself.
With regards to overall content, while there are many types of armour sets to manufacture, eight weapon types that can be extensively upgraded, the main campaign of WILD HEARTS S is made up of one prologue and five chapters, which can be beaten within 30 – 40 hours, depending on your preferred playstyle. But just because the credits roll, it doesn’t mean the game is over, as post-game content has plenty more deadly kemono for the hunter to face. From volatile kemono to deeply volatile kemono, and additional kemono that have been added via previous updates, there’s also plenty more customisation to be had, thanks to new kemono materials to use.
Weapons and armour can be upgraded even further, and for anyone looking to 100% WILD HEARTS S, be prepared to sink more than 100 hours into the game. Do you have what it takes to become the ultimate hunter? There’s only one way to find out.
Graphically, WILD HEARTS S’ setting is one of pure fantastical delight and offers a rich look at a feudal Japan. The only downside is that while WILD HEARTS S can be played in handheld mode, it’s not something we would recommend. Playing handheld does not always do the game’s beauty justice at times, due to average lighting, blocky backgrounds, a lower resolution, and frequent framerate drops.
60fps is targeted, but when engaging in intense battles against giant kemono, the dips are noticeable and can make all the difference between a dodge that will save your life and a late dodge that is going to get you killed. Thus, it’s better to stick to TV mode when possible. The game’s textures can still look a little plain at times, and objects will pop in, but TV mode is the best way to experience WILD HEARTS S.
UPDATE #1 (August 4, 2025): With the release of version 1.04, a bug fix has been implemented that corrects the issue of “Karakuri placed in a guest’s local stage to disappear if the session was disbanded at a certain point while an online gameplay session was loading.”Â
If you’re looking for a Monster Hunter-like experience to play on the Nintendo Switch 2, you won’t go wrong with WILD HEARTS S. Full of action, monstrous kemonos, and the freedom to play your way, it’s an action RPG worth sinking your teeth into if you have plenty of time to spare. And for those who are undecided, with a massive demo available on the eShop, nothing is stopping you from giving it a go and seeing if that makes your mind up for you. Just keep in mind the demo is limited only to the game’s prologue and does not feature anything from the game’s five main chapters.
Game Specifications:
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: KOIE TECMO
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Digital)
Genre: Action
No. of Players:Â 1 (Single System) | 1 – 4 (Local Wireless) | 1 – 4 (Online)
Release Date:Â July 25, 2025
Price:Â $49.99
File Size: 33.4 GB
Nintendo.com Listing
