Wild Hearts S

2 1/2 years after its original launch, Wild Hearts has found a second life on Nintendo Switch 2

The needed addition of four-player co-op is not enough to offset dated visuals and an uneven frame rate in this "new" version of Koei Tecmo's fun, if flawed, monster-hunting ARPG.

Look forward to nice quality-of-life changes in this Nintendo Switch 2 port of Wild Hearts.

Wild Hearts S’ Karakuri system is intricately and excitingly crafted with player experimentation abound. The Giant Kenomo feature breathtaking designs to rival Monster Hunter’s creatures in complexity and ferocity, especially from the art portraits each Kemono has in the game’s Cyclopedia. If you’ve done everything there is to do in Monster Hunter Wilds and are looking to dive into an exclusive on Nintendo Switch 2 with mates, Wild Hearts S delivers a tough challenge for experienced monster hunters.

A great option for epic and often monumental hunts with very high mobility and equipment customization. I didn’t notice many people online, which makes certain hunts more difficult, but there are still people there and they are very receptive to helping with missions. Without doubts is a game that balances really well fun and challenge and have to be played!

Wild Hearts S is a great game trapped in a mediocre port. It offers unique gameplay mechanics, stylization, and a genuine challenge—something that’s no longer a given in today’s world of hunting games. On the other hand, the technical shortcomings on the Switch 2 spoil the experience, and the lack of cross-play functionality undermines the game’s multiplayer potential. The only advantage of the Switch 2 version is that you can play the game on the go or away from home. In all other cases, I’d rather go for the other versions.

As someone with limited experience with games of this nature, Wild Hearts S has proved surprisingly addictive. Check out the demo if you're curious, but I really believe it'll be a game that grows on you. Even though I feel like there are certain respects where I've only scratched the surface (dozens of hours in, no less), the game is intuitive in the areas it needs to be. Such approachable depth that avoids the overwhelming trappings makes this game a winner and a keeper.

Wild Hearts S is a fine port, and released at a very good window for those in need of a good progression-based game on the Nintendo Switch 2. Sadly, it won’t likely get any support if the original release is anything to go by, so don’t expect it to be the most long-term solution for multiplayer. Aside from that, and some poor texture qualities scattered throughout the game, Wild Hearts S is a hunt worth taking, especially for those who did not play it in the initial release.

Wild Hearts S on Nintendo Switch 2 is an enjoyable way to experience the game on the go, keeping its inventive combat and co-op intact. Technical issues and downgraded visuals hold it back, but newcomers or players seeking portability will still find plenty to enjoy.

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from Wild Hearts S is that I didn't once find myself lamenting Monster Hunter. Wild Hearts was perhaps a risky endeavour but it's one that's paid off with impressive results. While genre newcomers can treat the land of Azuma as a gateway to monster hunting, long-standing genre fans will find plenty here to keep them happy until the next Monster Hunter adventure arrives. Best of all, this game is a fun experience on the Nintendo Switch 2, even with some of the graphical slowdown – it's portable monster hunter killer.