Described as the first AAA hunting experience for a new generation, Wild Hearts is an upcoming title from the developer of all those amazing Warrior games (Dynasty Warrior, etc.) that features ancient technology to give players a fighting chance against giant beasts. It seems like a pretty big jump, but the more we learn about the game the more it kind of makes sense.
Set in fantasy feudal Japan, players will battle against giant beasts (infused by nature) called Kemono using the help of Karakuri, sophisticated mechanisms crafter from an ancient lost technology. Yosuke Hayashi, Executive VP of Koei Tecmo, describes the world as being “as untamed as it is beautiful.” They continue, stating, “We have placed great care in designing our Karakuri to fit within the combat, and we’re excited for players to use these powerful mechanisms to fight giant beasts and traverse the world.”
The game was designed with two major ideas in mind. The first is to showcase the evolution, infusion, and threat cause by Kemono. The second is to create a game where crafting was at the core of the experience (I laugh at this, because that didn’t go so well in the recently-released life sim Hokko Life… hopefully Wild Hearts does it better), redefining what can be possible in a beast-hunting game.
Wild Hearts is, more specifically, set in Azuma, a fantasy landscape ravaged by the Kemono, who used to be peaceful creatures. This is costing the lives. Kemono can be anything from plant-infused squirrels to a massive wild boar. Players begin with a fight again Deathstalker, a winter wolf, and afterward they become the bearers of a life-sustaining technology. This puts them in charge of restoring balance in the region.
Developed by Omega Force (Koei Tecmo) and published by EA, Wild Hearts will be released for PC via Steam/Epic/Origin, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series on February 17, 2023.
