With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, we've seen quite a few games get a release specifically for the console. Wild Hearts S is a game inspired by the Monster Hunterseries that has gotten the same treatment as many of the launch lineups that we have seen with many other games. Fans who are waiting for the next version of Monster Hunter to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 may also be happy to see that Wild Hearts S has also received some new features to bring it in line with what many may expect.

Retaining the Core Gameplay

If you aren’t familiar with Wild Hearts, you may be surprised to find out that the character creator is very in-depth. Allowing you to customize your hunter in various ways, from their face and body shape, to a custom eye color, even to the point where you can create your own unique hairstyles from preexisting ones. It's a small feature, but there aren’t many games that allow you to add to pre-made hairstyles by allowing you to add new portions to them. This isn’t anything major that affects the gameplay, but it does add an extra layer of immersion so that your hunter looks exactly how you want.

Gameplay-wise, this is similar to Monster Hunter, but you can craft various Karakuri contraptions during a battle. This will allow you to stun monsters with giant hammers, craft bulwark walls to stop their charges, jump over monsters or even use spring pads to dodge or flank a beast quickly. Craftable towers allow you to find beasts easily, and grapple stations allow you to ascend or descend the maps to get to monsters and areas that are out of reach by normal means. As you progress through the game, more variations of traversal will awaken as you continue hunting.

These extra pieces that you can conjure up while in the middle of a battle separate Wild Hearts from Monster Hunter in a few ways, despite being in the same genre. You have a new way to play with a formula that you may be familiar with, while still utilizing any prior experience you've gathered from other series; it's more than a clone and does a great job at showing how different this game is. Weapons in this are different too, with new ways to approach combat and hunt beasts.

At the start of the game, you use the Karakuri Katana, which is a quick and reliable weapon in combat that has an extra moveset after you’ve filled up the meter when doing damage. When the blacksmithing station is available, you’ll have access to several new weapons: the Nodachi, Bladed Wagasa, Maul and Bow. Each weapon plays differently, but is still fun when you seek to switch up your playstyle. The Karakuri Katana is a longsword that allows for a varied playstyle, where the Bladed Wagasa gives you the ability to parry and maintain an aggressive playstyle in general.

You have a new way to play with a formula that you may be familiar with, while still utilizing any prior experience you've gathered from other series; it's more than a clone and does a great job at showing how different this game is.

Changes and Additions With The Updated Release

Players might expect a complete overhaul of some aspects of Wild Hearts, but there aren’t going to be massive changes with this new version of the game. These do add some great quality-of-life to the game itself. In the original release of Wild Hearts, there were only three-player hunts. This has been changed for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, allowing for four total players to track down and defeat beasts. Everyone looking to play will need an online subscription as well, but you now have access to intense hunts with a full group of friends like you would in Monster Hunter. There's no cross-platform multiplayer, though, meaning anyone you play with will need to be on the same platform as you. For anyone looking for couch co-op, there's now the option to go on hunts locally, which is always nice to see in games these days.

Anyone curious about the post-game content from the original release can also expect extra beasts added too. Included right away without any further installation will be the added beasts and modes that were added later on in the original game’s launch. With the added beasts, there's more balance changes for weapons and armor to make the game less punishing for new and returning players seeking challenging beasts as soon as possible.

Not all the changes are amazing, however, with some aspects of the game getting slightly weaker with the Nintendo Switch 2 version. There's lower graphic fidelity overall; while the game still looks good, it has a somewhat dated appearance in the environments. The lighting and graphics are also slightly downgraded for Switch 2, with the game losing out on some minor details while you explore. For example, there are dirt paths that were in the original that helped show potential areas to explore. A few of these will be missing, as they are covered by overgrown flora. There's also brighter lighting in general, making caves have a soft glow within them and losing out on any immersive details that can be enhanced with more intense lighting.

On the upside of the somewhat noticeable graphics downgrade, there's a ton of character that shines through this. Environments may look slightly less detailed, but they have vibrant forests and abandoned villages that nature has taken back. Beasts still retain their design and are interesting to fight with varied movesets and looks. In both docked and handheld modes, the performance is both reliable and smooth, with the game being quite fun to play.

Closing Comments:

If you're looking for another type of game where you hunt intimidating monsters, tracking them along a map while you master the mechanics, this might be the game for you. Wild Hearts S is exactly what the original release aspired to be. Mixing and matching mechanics that you would never expect to be combined, wonderful landscapes and a fun gameplay loop. You're rewarded for being creative with your contraption placement. The performance is great in both of the Nintendo Switch 2 methods you choose to play, with the game still being beautiful despite the lighting and asset flaws. Wild Hearts S is the definitive version of the game, with consistent performance and the full package of content. It's most certainly worth playing if you're seeking a challenge alone or with friends.