Wild Hearts is an action role-playing hunting game set in the fantasy world of Azuma, a land inspired by feudal Japan. Players take on the role of a hunter who wields ancient Karakuri technology to battle giant Kemono, massive beasts infused with the destructive power of nature. The core experience revolves around tracking these creatures, learning their patterns, and using a combination of weapons and environmental constructions to bring them down, either solo or alongside others.
Gameplay
The gameplay centers on a loop of exploration, combat, and crafting in large seasonal regions across Azuma. Hunters gather materials from defeated Kemono to forge new armor and weapons, which in turn enable tougher hunts. Eight distinct weapon types each offer unique move sets and gauges that reward specific playstyles, from fast strikes with a katana to heavy blows from a maul or ranged options like a hand cannon. Combat emphasizes positioning, timing dodges, and exploiting weak points that appear after sustained damage.
Karakuri forms the standout system. Basic Karakuri allow on-the-fly creation of structures such as stackable crates for aerial attacks or springs for evasion. Dragon Karakuri support camp setup near Dragon Pits, including tents for fast travel, forges for crafting, radar towers to locate prey, and flying vines for traversal. Fusion Karakuri combine basic elements into larger defensive or offensive tools, like walls that block charges or traps that immobilize foes. Thread resources fuel these constructions and replenish through combat. The four season-themed hunting grounds feature varied landscapes that influence both traversal and beast behaviors.
Game Modes
Wild Hearts supports single-player hunts where individuals tackle Kemono alone across the main story and side activities. Multiplayer allows seamless co-op with up to two additional players for the same content, including story missions and targeted hunts. Sessions can be joined or created through campfires or the in-game menu, with cross-platform support enabling groups across compatible systems. Players share a pool of lives in co-op but can revive teammates, and constructions built by one hunter remain available to the group.
Progression and Exploration
Character creation lets players customize appearance before entering Azuma. Progression comes through gear upgrades rather than direct leveling, with weapons featuring skill inheritance that carries useful abilities forward during upgrades. Exploration rewards discovery of Dragon Pits to expand camp options and reveal more of each region. The world encourages repeated visits to refine strategies against increasingly aggressive Kemono that enter enraged states at low health.
Is It Worth Playing?
Wild Hearts delivers a distinctive take on the hunting genre through its Karakuri mechanics, which integrate deeply into combat, movement, and preparation. The co-op system makes group hunts approachable with revival options and shared building. It remains available on Xbox Series X|S, including through EA Play and Game Pass Ultimate for trial access with progress carryover. Reception among critics highlights the inventive systems and weapon variety, while player feedback notes the addictive loop for those who enjoy methodical hunts and experimentation. Those drawn to action-focused monster encounters with building elements will find the experience engaging, particularly in co-op where the constructions shine brightest. Performance considerations on some platforms have tempered broader appeal, but the core loop holds strong for genre fans seeking something beyond standard formulas.
