The Nintendo Switch 2 has dropped like two months ago, and lemme tell ya, its library is expanding faster than a cat on catnip. I’m all over the multiplatform gaming scene, but honestly? This thing’s my go-to for those sweet Nintendo exclusives. Yet, there’s this shiny new vibe about it that’s coaxing me into giving ports a whirl — stuff I missed first time around. That’s how I ended up with Wild Hearts S, the Switch 2 version of the 2023 monster hunt gig from Koei Tecmo. Yeah, I know, I’m late to the party.
So, Wild Hearts S — it’s kinda like the poster child for what Switch 2 can handle with third-party stuff. This puppy’s ready to host games that would’ve made the original Switch cry in a corner, like that hot new launch title, Cyberpunk 2077. Sure, Wild Hearts S doesn’t hold a candle to the eye candy on PS5, PC, or Xbox Series X — more like stepping up from a PS4 to an Xbox One, really. It’s not just the textures that might make you squint; framerate’s got its own rollercoaster game. But if you’re here for substance over shiny graphics, you’re gonna find the good stuff.
So, like in the OG game, you craft your hunter, then plunge into the wilderness to smack down some kemono critters. The small ones? Eh, they’re practice runs. Real thrills kick in when you’re on the prowl for the big bad kemono — beasts that are like Mother Nature decided to Frankenstein some animals. Picture bunnies and boars cloaked in flora; branches and bulbs in places you wouldn’t believe. It’s a wild ride.
These kemono, man, they’re both stunning and kinda nightmare fuel. One’s this chill turtle with coral sprouting from its shell. Somehow, I ended up axing it without even an oops moment. My bad, turtle dude. But then you’ve got the boar boss who’s not about to let you admire those nature vibes while it’s trying to bash your brains in. Fair play, I guess; it’s your neck on the line, after all.
Hunting these mega-beasts is the game’s bread and butter. You’re on the hunt, maybe setting up towers for location tracking. And then there’s the magic of karakuri — these wooden gizmos are your besties in battle. As you score more wins, you unlock new tricks — like building a wall of crates to deflect a boar charge. Creative stuff, like slapping together springs for some hammer time or gliders for a healing mist dance.
Once you’ve got a bead on your quarry and your karakuri arsenal is primed, it’s on. And lemme tell ya, these showdowns are epic. They feel like battles for the legends, with hours slipping by without you noticing — though in-game, it’s more of a ‘watch the sunset’ vibe as you duel. Speaking of epic, catching sight of the Lavaback smacking the hell out of a Spineglider? That was a game-changer. Love it when games let enemies duke it out — adds layers of life, ya know? Makes the world feel less like static pixel art and more like a living, breathing beast (pun intended).
But of course, with size, er, comes the occasional camera-flipping havoc. I’ve got vague echoes of Monster Hunter running through my mind, yet the screwy camera on the kemono fights here reminds me more of getting danced on by some behemoth in a FromSoftware wild ride. Suddenly, it’s you versus the hollow inside of a kemono because the camera’s on a trip somewhere else. And heaven forbid if you’re tight against a cliff. Boom, you’re staring at some geometry instead of the action. Ill-timed, honestly.
Despite the quirks, Wild Hearts S is a blast of a ride and a baller entry to the Switch 2 lineup. It’s not out here to win any awards for graphics, but that’s not why you play on a handheld, is it? It’s all about getting those critters, living for the thrill. And boy, am I ready for more crazy hunting while I’m out and about.
