TAKING down mammoth beasts and harvesting their bits is a staple in a number of games, including the ever-popular Monster Hunter series.
However, new game Wild Hearts hopes to take the crown of world’s favourite goliath gathering game, in an interesting partnership between EA and Koei Tecmo.
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Wild Hearts makes crafting an essential part of the hunt, as players will not be able to properly use the parts they collect if they don’t know how to create something new.
The skill ceiling appears to be pretty daunting, and it will take a while before everything clicks.
Once things neatly slot into place, the refreshing mechanics of Wild Hearts feel like something special.
Set in a high-fantasy version of feudal Japan known as Azuma, you must take down enormous beats that have been terrorising its residents.
These monsters, known as Kemono, use magic to change size and manipulate the world around them.
They are more like real-world animals than mythical beasts. You’re more likely to take on a mountainous wild boar than a dragon.
Despite this, the world doesn’t feel any less fantastical, as the boarish Kingtusk is not only large but has tree roots growing from its back.
Hunters in Azuma are not only talented at killing beasts but also are masters of invention.
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A construction system, called Karakuri, allows you to build things such as springboards and gliders that will aid you in battle.
During a special presentation, we see a hunter take down their Kingtusk using a helicopter they’d built, in order to avoid its powerful ground attacks.
There will be a huge range of items available to build, from trinkets to zip lines.
Eight different types of weapons will also be available with more than 200 craftable variations.
Multiplayer will also be a vital part of the game.
Up to three people will be able to team up via Hunter Gates which are spread across the overworld.
Everything within the roughly 30-hour campaign will be playable in co-op for those who would rather take it on with a friend.
Depending on the environment, or biome, you’re in, the encounters with the Kemono are vastly different.
Kingtusk’s area contains large cherry blossom trees from which the surrounding creatures can draw power.
We didn’t see much of the three other types of area that will be available in the final release, but first glances are promising.
Wild Hearts will be released on February 17, 2023, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
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