Oh man, where do I even start with the Nintendo Switch 2? It’s been out for, what, two months now? The library is expanding like nobody’s business. I mean, hey, I’ve always seen it as my go-to for Nintendo exclusives, but now — oh boy — I’m diving into stuff I missed the first time around on other systems. Enter Wild Hearts S, the new Switch 2 version of Koei Tecmo’s monster hunter from 2023. Pretty wild, right?
Wild Hearts S is putting the spotlight on what Switch 2 can really do with third-party games. Think of it like a showcase or something. It’s like, games that were a no-go on the OG Switch can now call this place home. Remember Cyberpunk 2077? Yeah, that’s a launch title. But let’s get real — Wild Hearts S isn’t gonna outshine its PS5 or Xbox Series X bros. We’re kinda looking at a step up from PS4 and Xbox One territory here. Graphics? Eh, they’re not super polished but who cares, right? It’s all about the meat and potatoes, not just the frosting.
Okay, tangent alert — check out this picture here. Doesn’t it just scream “epic”? Image magic from Omega Force/Koei Tecmo or something. Ahem, back to the game — in Wild Hearts S, you create your own character for some serious hunting. It’s all about those kemono hunts. At first, you tackle smaller ones, like warmup rounds. The real thrill? Taking down the big guys — huge creatures that mash up animals and nature vibes. Imagine a rabbit turned leafy goliath. Sounds bonkers, I know.
These kemono, they’re something else. Some are chill, like a turtle with random coral bits growing on its shell — sorry, buddy, I thought you’d be easier to pet than you were. AI didn’t teach me manners, apparently. And then bam! The boar boss—raging and ready to send you packing. Can’t blame him, though. We’re kinda hunting them down, after all.
And that brings us to the main gig — these legendary hunts, they’re the reason we’re here. You scope out terrain like you’re Bear Grylls meets Steve Irwin, building towers and finding these beasts. Karakuri, those magic wood gizmos, are your secret weapon. Stack ‘em, smack ‘em, use ‘em to block that boar rush with a nice wooden wall. Need a giant hammer? Done. Healing mist? No problem. They turn the battle into a craft project, really.
More imagery coming at ya — the fights are epic. They’re not little skirmishes; they go on for what feels like forever. Ever notice how the sky changes while you’re fighting? Like, you start in the day, and then it’s sunset, and oh, stars — how romantic as you’re battling a Kingtusk. It makes me think I really took hours, not minutes. But isn’t that the point?
And talk about epic moments — the Lavaback shows up. I swear, seeing it toss around a Spineglider, Hulk-style, made me giggle. Worlds colliding like this just breathe life into the game. Makes the place feel real, like, snap — I spent all this energy fighting a Spineglider, and now there’s a Lavaback treating it like a ragdoll? Yikes.
Camera wonkiness though — it’s a thing. You get caught up close, and suddenly you’re seeing the inside of a monster. Not the best view. Reminds me of FromSoftware stuff with the big bads and the camera losing its mind. Also, cliffs basically spell game over. Big monsters, small spaces… you do the math.
Bottom line, Wild Hearts S is kinda janky but a fun ride overall. It might not blow your mind visually, but really, what’s the priority on a handheld? Track down those beasts, get your adrenaline pump, and enjoy the portable chaos. Can’t wait to hunt down more while I’m out and about.
