- Status Check: Still plagued by performance issues despite being out for three years.
- Platform Update: Released on Nintendo Switch 2 in July 2025, but significant technical improvements on PC/other consoles haven't materialized.
- The Hook: Innovative Karakuri building system and unique weapon mechanics like the transforming Karakuri Staff.
- Value Proposition: Best experienced via EA Play/Game Pass or when found at a 90% discount.
A Brilliant Hunter Still Stuck in Low Gear
Three years after its rocky launch, we’re still looking at Wild Hearts as the one that almost got away. Built by Omega Force and published under the EA Originals banner, it was supposed to be the definitive challenger to Monster Hunter’s throne. While it boasts some of the most creative combat loops in the genre, our latest look at the game in 2026 confirms that it’s still haunted by the same technical ghosts that marred its 2023 debut. It’s a classic case of a "slam-dunk hit" being dragged down by poor optimization.
Weaponry and the "Fortnite" Factor
Where Wild Hearts truly shines is in its willingness to get weird with its arsenal. We’re not just talking about swords and shields; we’re talking about high-skill-ceiling tools that feel genuinely fresh.
The Martial Arts of Hunting
The weapons boast tricks that make Monster Hunter’s kit look traditional by comparison. We’re particularly fond of the Claw Blade, which lets you grapple onto a monster and orbit it like a "veritable Super Saiyan." Then there’s the Karakuri Staff—a technical marvel that shifts between a bo staff, a throwing weapon, and a massive great sword. If you’re a fan of high-APM (actions per minute) gameplay, the hammer’s extension mechanic rewards frame-perfect timing in a way that feels incredibly satisfying.
Karakuri: Combat Engineering
The "trump card" remains the Karakuri system. Think of it as smuggling a bag of Fortnite tricks into a high-stakes boss fight. Our take? It’s a total game-changer for traversal and utility. You can:
- Summon Heli-gliders: Gain instant height for plunging attacks.
- Spawn Giant Hammers: Bonk monsters out of their wind-up animations.
- Zipline Anywhere: Turn a grueling mountain climb into a five-second transit.
The Kemono: Nature’s Unsettling Designs
The creature design team at Omega Force clearly understood the assignment. The monsters, or Kemono, are a haunting blend of flora and fauna. We’ve faced the Sporetail, a rat infused with fungal growths, and the Gritdog, a beaver-like creature that uses a "belly drum" to create a suction vortex. Even the Dreadclaw—essentially a neon-colored cockerel—proves to be a nightmare with relentless slide tackles that would make Monster Hunter’s Seregios jealous.
The Technical Verdict: A Reluctant Recommendation
Despite the July 2025 launch on the Nintendo Switch 2, the wider technical overhaul we were hoping for never arrived. Over on Steam, the game sits at a "Mixed" 55% rating, largely because it still doesn't run as fluidly as a high-speed action game should. It feels like the developers have left it adrift.
Our bottom line: We struggle to recommend Wild Hearts at full price given the lack of ongoing support. However, if you need something to bridge the gap until the next Monster Hunter Wilds expansion, it’s worth your time if you can snag it on EA Play, Game Pass, or during one of its frequent 90% off sales. It’s a masterpiece trapped in the "performance-problems bin."