2023’s “Wild Hearts” was already delightful in spite of myriad issues, and now that the Switch 2-exclusive “Wild Hearts S” is on store shelves, there’s never been a better time to jump into Koei Tecmo’s MonHunlike.
I’ve already logged 20 hours in “Wild Hearts S,” and finished the main story. After just a few days of heavy play, I’m finally certain of the major differences between the original release and this handheld revision. Turns out, there isn’t much to say.
For starters, you can party up in teams of four in “S” instead of just three, and all the post-launch content from the original game is available in “S” right away. Other than that, it’s the same game we’ve come to know and love.
The weapons all feel unique, and they’re a blast to use. The monsters, the kimono, are still a beautiful mix of flora and fauna. And most importantly, the main gimmick of the game, the karakuri, are still an interesting twist on the standard kill-big-monster-with-big-weapon gameplay loop.
The biggest frustration for me was making the switch from the Xbox to the Switch 2 button layout. I’d occasionally miss a QTE prompt, and end up furiously mashing the bottom face button to “Press A.” Thankfully, the in battle QTEs are optional, so it doesn’t end up making a massive difference at the end of the day.
Other than that, the game really felt the exact same to me. The game looked great, and played great. The biggest issue shows up when loading into another player’s hunt, and there’s a few seconds of delay before you could start moving or interacting with anything. The multiplayer is peer-to-peer, so issues like that could easily be chalked up to the specific connection quirks.
So, is “Wild Hearts S” worth laying down $50 for? Consider these four factors before you buy:
- Have you ever played the original “Wild Hearts?” If yes, then you probably should hold off on “S.” At this time, there isn’t much of a difference between them. If no, then it’s definitely worth your time and money.
- Are you a PC player who also owns a Switch 2? If yes, get “S.” I’ve seen that the PC port’s major problems still persist in the original “Wild Hearts,” so “S” will let you bypass that headache entirely.
- Do you plan on playing with friends who only have the original “Wild Hearts?” If yes, do not get “S.” There is no crossplay between this and the original game. There is however, crossplay between Xbox and PlayStation for the original.
- Do you want a sequel? Or, perhaps, to stick it to EA for abandoning the original? If yes, then please buy “S!” This version of the game was developed and published without EA getting their grubby hands on it. If it sells well enough, it very well could incentivize a self-published sequel.
In the end, it’s a very solid game that’s worth your time if you need something to do in between “Monster Hunter Wilds” title updates.
“Wild Hearts S” is available now on Switch 2 for $49.99.
Image credit: “Wild Heart S,” Koei Tecmo
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