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Wild Hearts S
Released On: Jul 25, 2025
73
7.1
All Platforms
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
73
50% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
73
50% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
50% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Wild Hearts S' deft art direction carries it through the down-porting process onto lower spec hardware. Despite some minor complaints, the main game offers a robust 30-40 hours of content, with seamless four-player co-op adding replayability. Hunting with friends is always fun, as coordinating Karakuri setups and weapon synergies elevates the chaos to new heights and offers a lot of bang for one's buck.
This port of Wild Hearts for the Nintendo Switch 2 is about what you'd expect. The visuals have been downgraded a little and performance isn't particularly stable. It remains one of the best alternatives to Monster Hunter around, though, and you can now team up with more players than ever before. Seriously consider picking this up if you want some monster-slaying fun.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 User Ratings
7.1
62% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
15% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
23% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 User Ratings
7.1
62% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
15% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
23% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
It’s a very nice monster hunting game. Yes, there are some downsides but in terms of complexity and overall fun, the gamingexperience is amazing.
I’ve the feeling that it gets hated by monster hunter fans, just because it copies it.
But for the moment, it’s the best monster hunting game that runs on switch 2
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Nintendo Switch 2
Unplayable and Ugly – A Massive Disappointment
Wild Hearts S on the Switch 2 is a disaster. The game comes as a game key card, not a full cartridge – already a red flag. Visually, it's shockingly bad; think Hogwarts Legacy on the original Switch levels of ugly. Blurry textures, flat lighting, and muddy environments ruin any immersion.
Worse are the constant frame drops and ridiculous loading times, making combat frustrating and exploration a chore. This feels like a lazy, half-baked port rushed to market. Even the menus stutter. Don't waste your money. If you're expecting a next-gen Monster Hunter. alternative, look elsewhere.
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Nintendo Switch 2
Wild Hearts S achieves its primary goal: bringing a solid and distinctive hunting experience to the Nintendo Switch 2. It's not the best way to play Wild Hearts, but it's a competent port that understands its limitations and works within them.
Wild Hearts S clearly takes inspiration from Capcom’s classic formula, but it puts its own spin on the genre to keep things feeling fresh. Battles are epic in scale, with the Karakuri system allowing you to adapt your approach on the fly. Whether used for offense or defense, this mechanic adds welcome variety to each encounter. However, as enemies grow more aggressive and fights become increasingly chaotic, the frame rate can noticeably dip. Combined with basic textures and a lackluster visual presentation, the presentation underwhelms. Even so, the addictive gameplay loop remains intact. While the ‘S’ version doesn’t offer enough to bring back returning players, it still delivers a compelling monster-hunting experience for newcomers.
Wild Hearts S is a satisfying, if unspectacular, addition to the Switch 2’s early library. The monster hunting and equipment building is just as rewarding and addictive as you would hope, and there’s tons of replayability here whether you’re playing solo or with friends. That being said, the technical performance is just okay, while the lack of any significant content additions to this re-release feels like a missed opportunity, especially if you previously played this on other platforms. I’d still give Wild Hearts a recommendation, as its blemishes don’t ultimately take too much away from its many strengths, but perhaps this is one to wait for a sale.
Wild Hearts S gives Switch 2 owners the chance to play Dynasty Warriors developer Omega Force’s monster-hunting game. It’s far from a perfect port, with a noticeable visual downgrade and choppy performance. But it’s still perfectly playable, and the game’s fantastic Karakuri system and interesting take on weapons and armor sets remain as refreshing today as they did in the original release.
While Wild Hearts has a compelling visual style, aesthetic, and gameplay concepts, the actual execution of those concepts can be frustrating and make for a mediocre title. Further, the Wild Hearts S port for Nintendo Switch 2, despite its impressive visual quality, features numerous glitches and performance/quality problems that make it a hard game to justify, regardless of if you're a fan or newcomer.
Honestly, Wild Hearts S does nothing to improve upon the original game, and you should stick with Toukiden instead. Read my original Wild Hearts review, and knock a point down for weaker performance.
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Nintendo Switch 2
Summary In the fantasy hunting title, WILD HEARTS S, players master ancient tech to hunt down giant beasts inside an imaginative world inspired by feudal Japan! Hunt in a pack of up to four players in seamless co-op or play as a lone wolf as you fight fearsome beasts infused with the ferocious power of nature itself. Craft your hunting grounds a...
Rated T
for Teen
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch 2
Initial Release Date: Jul 25, 2025
Developer:
Publisher:
Koei Tecmo Games
Genres: