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CRITIK

Wild Hearts

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Wild Hearts
Item: Wild Hearts
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, RPG, Single Player, Multiplayer

AvailableFeb 17, 2023

PlatformXbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PC

DeveloperOmega Force

Overview

Prepare for an epic adventure set in a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan. Developed by Omega Force, the Japanese studio behind Dynasty Warriors, in partnership with Electronic Arts.

Elsewhere

5.1

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

53%

Mixed (50-79)

47%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The Story of Wild Hearts has received a mix of opinions from critics regarding its narrative. Critics like Atomix and Checkpoint Gaming appreciate the unique setting and characters, with Checkpoint Gaming specifically noting the allegorical nature of the story related to the environment and climate change. Gamepressure also highlights the incorporation of the karakuri mechanic in the storytelling, adding a unique element to the narrative. Screen Rant and Noisy Pixel commend the game for providing engaging story segments that require exploration, making it stand out among its contemporaries. On the other hand, some critics, such as COGconnected and IGN Italia, find the story to be lacking in originality and depth. IGN mentions that the narrative is largely ignorable, focusing more on the town's struggle against creatures rather than offering a compelling storyline. NPR criticizes the game for forcing players to endure tedious gameplay for the sake of cinematic presentation, indicating a disconnect between gameplay and storytelling. Critics like Game Informer and MondoXbox describe the story as forgettable and failing to grip the player, suggesting a lack of impact or emotional resonance. Overall, the opinions of critics on the Story of Wild Hearts are varied. While some critics appreciate the unique setting, engaging characters, and allegorical elements of the narrative, others find the story lacking in originality and depth. The game seems to excel in providing engaging story segments that require exploration, but it may fall short in delivering a cohesive and impactful narrative experience for all players. Despite mixed reviews, the consensus among critics leans towards acknowledging the game's strengths in world-building and character development, even if the execution of the story may not resonate with every player.

TL;DR

story and narrative

The Story of Wild Hearts garners mixed reviews from critics: praised for its unique setting, engaging characters, and allegorical elements by some, while criticized for lacking originality and depth by others. The game excels in providing exploration-driven story segments but falls short in delivering a cohesive and impactful narrative experience for all players. Despite varied opinions, most critics acknowledge the game's strengths in world-building and character development.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

80%

Mixed (50-79)

20%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Wild Hearts, highlighting its engaging combat mechanics, unique Karakuri system, and diverse weapon options. Critics like COGconnected and Game Revolution commended the fantastic combat mechanics and the genius Karakuri mechanic that enhanced the overall combat experience. Gameblog.fr also appreciated the dynamic combat system with diverse weapon options, engaging battles, and strategic Karakuri mechanics. The game's focus on hunting monsters, crafting weapons and armor, and utilizing Karakuri objects in battles was well-received by critics like GameSpew and GameSpot, who found the gameplay loop to be tried-and-tested and enjoyable. While the overall sentiment towards the gameplay of Wild Hearts was positive, there were some criticisms raised by a few critics. App Trigger mentioned that the combat mechanics felt clunky and less responsive compared to Monster Hunter, and the game lacked balanced single-player gameplay. Digital Chumps noted that the controls could be improved for a better experience, and Gameblog.fr criticized the poor camera system during combat. Despite these drawbacks, the majority of critics still found the gameplay to be engaging and enjoyable, with unique mechanics like the Karakuri system adding depth and variety to the hunting experience. In conclusion, Wild Hearts received high praise for its gameplay from the majority of critics, with many highlighting the engaging combat, strategic depth, and innovative Karakuri mechanics. The game's focus on hunting monsters, crafting weapons, and utilizing Karakuri gadgets provided a fresh and exciting experience for players. While there were some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the gameplay, such as controls and camera issues, the overall consensus was overwhelmingly positive. Wild Hearts managed to stand out in the monster-hunting genre with its unique gameplay elements and satisfying combat mechanics, making it a highly recommended title for players looking for a thrilling and visually stunning gaming experience.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Wild Hearts wowed critics with engaging combat, unique Karakuri system, and diverse weapons. While some noted clunky mechanics and control issues, most praised the game's depth and innovation. Overall, Wild Hearts stands out in the monster-hunting genre as a thrilling and visually stunning title with high recommendations.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

51%

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The critics' opinions on the Graphics and Visual Design of Wild Hearts are quite varied, with a mix of positive and negative feedback. Many critics praised the game for its stunning and vibrant visuals, with beautiful environments and imaginative creature designs. App Trigger described the game as "gorgeous" with "intimidating monster designs," while Daily Star highlighted the "beautifully detailed" Japanese-inspired fantasy world of Azuma. Critics like Digital Chumps and Push Square commended the rich textures, gorgeous lighting, and expansive world design that motivated players to explore. Additionally, Noisy Pixel and Siliconera appreciated the interesting and fantastical creature designs, creating a visually striking experience for players. On the other hand, several critics pointed out various technical issues and graphical problems that hindered the overall visual experience of Wild Hearts. Checkpoint Gaming and Game Revolution noted issues such as pop-in textures, HDR lighting problems, anti-aliasing issues, and frame rate drops, impacting both the PC and console versions of the game. GameSpot and GameStar mentioned low-resolution textures, blurriness, and object pop-in problems that detracted from the overall visual quality. Gameblog.fr and Gamepressure highlighted collision problems, texture clipping, and frame rate drops as significant technical issues that affected the gameplay experience negatively. Overall, while Wild Hearts received praise for its stunning environments, imaginative creature designs, and vibrant visuals inspired by Japanese culture, the game also faced criticism for various technical issues and graphical problems that impacted the overall experience. Critics like Atomix and Destructoid emphasized the stunning setting and creature designs that lingered throughout the gameplay, contributing to a captivating atmosphere. However, the consensus among critics, as seen in reviews from Game Revolution, GameStar, and Gamers Heroes, suggests that the game's inconsistent performance, technical issues, and lack of graphical polish detracted from its potential, leading to a mixed reception among reviewers.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on the Graphics and Visual Design of Wild Hearts. While praised for stunning visuals, vibrant environments, and imaginative creature designs inspired by Japanese culture, the game faced criticism for technical issues like pop-in textures, HDR lighting problems, and frame rate drops. Despite its captivating atmosphere, the inconsistent performance and lack of graphical polish led to a mixed reception among reviewers.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

90%

Mixed (50-79)

10%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the Sound Design and Music of Wild Hearts, highlighting its exceptional quality and immersive nature. Atomix and Digital Chumps both appreciated how the audio design effectively enhanced the gameplay experience by conveying the terror and liveliness of the game world. Gamepressure and IGN France particularly lauded the use of traditional Japanese music in the soundtrack, noting how it dynamically changed based on the situation to provide adrenaline during battles and moments of respite, enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional experience. The orchestral score was a standout feature for many critics, with GameSpot and Xbox Achievements mentioning how it evoked a sense of wonder, terror, and classic Japanese cinema, contributing to the awe-inspiring nature of battles. GamersRD and MondoXbox also praised the oriental-inspired music for its contribution to the immersive experience. While the overall sentiment towards the Sound Design and Music of Wild Hearts was overwhelmingly positive, there were few criticisms mentioned by the critics. Some reviewers felt that the sound design, while engaging, could have been further elevated with more variety or depth. Additionally, a couple of critics mentioned that while the music was well-executed and complemented the gameplay effectively, there were moments where it felt slightly repetitive or predictable. These minor issues did not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the audio experience in Wild Hearts but were noted as areas for potential improvement. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Wild Hearts is a standout aspect of the game, with the majority of reviewers praising its quality and immersive nature. The orchestral score, traditional Japanese music, and dynamic audio design were highlighted as key strengths that enhanced the emotional experience, atmosphere, and gameplay immersion. Despite some minor criticisms regarding variety and predictability, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with critics like Gamepressure, GameSpot, and Gamereactor UK emphasizing the excellence of the soundtrack in complementing the heart-pumping immersion of the game. Wild Hearts' Sound Design and Music successfully captivated the critics and played a crucial role in elevating the overall experience of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics unanimously praised the exceptional Sound Design and Music of Wild Hearts for enhancing gameplay with terror, liveliness, and dynamic Japanese music. The orchestral score evoked wonder and classic Japanese cinema, contributing to the immersive battles. While some critics noted minor issues like lack of variety and predictability, the overall sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive. Wild Hearts' audio captivated critics, with Gamepressure, GameSpot, and Gamereactor UK emphasizing its excellence in complementing the game's immersive experience.

Voice Acting

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Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

13%

Mixed (50-79)

55%

Negative (0-49)

32%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of positives for the Technical Performance of Wild Hearts across different gaming platforms, reviewers highlighted some strengths. MondoXbox praised the game's optimization for next-gen consoles, particularly on Xbox Series X, ensuring a smooth performance. GameOver.gr also noted that the single-player mode on PS5 runs smoothly, showcasing a stable experience. Additionally, GGRecon mentioned that the game ran well on Xbox Series X, with good framerate and resolution, indicating a positive technical performance on this platform. On the flip side, several critics pointed out various negatives regarding the Technical Performance of Wild Hearts on different gaming platforms. GameRevolution and Gamepressure highlighted inconsistent performance and control issues, respectively, impacting the overall experience. Windows Central and GameSpot criticized severe optimization issues on PC, including stuttering, frame rate problems, and graphical corruptions, making the game unplayable on certain systems. Twinfinite and GameStar also mentioned performance issues on PC, such as framerate drops and loading stutters, affecting the gameplay. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the Technical Performance of Wild Hearts is mixed. While some reviewers like Destructoid and GameSpew found the PS5 version to be relatively stable with minimal technical troubles, others, such as GameSpot and Windows Central, emphasized significant issues on the PC platform, impacting gameplay enjoyment. The general sentiment leans towards acknowledging the presence of technical shortcomings across multiple platforms, with a need for patches and optimizations to enhance the overall gaming experience. Critics like Checkpoint Gaming and Hey Poor Player highlighted the cooperative play as a standout feature despite the technical challenges, suggesting that the game's core mechanics and potential for enjoyment shine through despite the performance issues.

TL;DR

technical performance

Wild Hearts impresses on next-gen consoles like Xbox Series X with smooth performance, but suffers from inconsistent performance and control issues on various platforms including PC. While some critics appreciate stable gameplay on PS5, others criticize severe optimization problems on PC. Overall, mixed reviews suggest technical shortcomings across platforms, calling for patches to enhance the gaming experience. Despite issues, cooperative play stands out as a highlight.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

38%

Mixed (50-79)

59%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives regarding the replay value of Wild Hearts, several critics highlighted the game's deep upgrade and skill trees, end-game content, and cooperative play. Checkpoint Gaming noted that replaying areas for material collection and upgrades, along with completing quests, provided an entertaining experience. Gameblog.fr mentioned extensive customization options, a wide range of items, equipment, upgrades, and quests, with planned post-launch updates, which contribute to the game's replayability. Additionally, GameSpot praised the cooperative play element, various weapon types, and building mechanics that add societal value to constructions, enhancing the overall replay value of the game. On the other hand, some critics pointed out potential negatives that could impact the replay value of Wild Hearts. App Trigger highlighted the lack of gear and frustrating combat mechanics as factors that may reduce the game's replayability. Gamepressure mentioned that the limited bestiary and repetitive monsters could diminish the replay value, although the co-op mode enhances the fun and feasibility in battles. IGN noted that while the game offers an enormous unlock tree for the karakuri system, the variety of monsters is limited, leading to a shallow overall pool, which might affect the longevity of the game. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards Wild Hearts offering substantial replay value. Critics like Atomix and Daily Star emphasized the challenging gameplay, unique enemies, and tactics that need to be adjusted per fight, ensuring progress is necessary to move forward. Furthermore, the potential for endless DLC and sequels, as mentioned by COGconnected, hints at a game with evolving content and longevity. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitive elements and limited variety, the majority of reviewers appreciate the game's cooperative play, diverse crafting options, and the promise of future updates, indicating a positive outlook on the replay value of Wild Hearts.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Wild Hearts for its deep upgrade system, end-game content, and cooperative play, enhancing replay value. However, some mention drawbacks like frustrating combat mechanics and limited monster variety. Overall, reviewers commend the challenging gameplay and potential for evolving content, making Wild Hearts a promising choice for players seeking replayability despite some flaws.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

64%

Mixed (50-79)

35%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the Overall Verdict of Wild Hearts, it is evident that the game has received praise for several key aspects. Critics such as Atomix and COGconnected have highlighted the game's innovative gameplay mechanics and addictive nature. Checkpoint Gaming also commended the satisfying combat and deep gameplay mechanics, emphasizing the unique experience offered by the Karakuri crafting system. Additionally, Gamepressure and Gameblog.fr appreciated the game's compelling narrative, vibrant world, and fast-paced combat, showcasing the potential and charm that Wild Hearts brings to the monster-hunting genre. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks of Wild Hearts that impacted their overall experience. Destructoid mentioned issues with traversal and frustrating combat mechanics, while Game Revolution and Screen Rant highlighted inconsistent performance and visual shortcomings. IGN and GameStar also noted technical issues that hindered the gameplay experience, with IGN specifically mentioning limited monster variety and a shallow pool of content as areas for improvement. These criticisms indicate that while Wild Hearts excels in certain areas, there are notable areas where it falls short of expectations. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards Wild Hearts being a promising addition to the monster-hunting genre, with unique gameplay mechanics and engaging combat systems that set it apart from traditional titles like Monster Hunter. Critics such as GameSpew and Gameblog.fr acknowledge the game's potential and recommend it for fans of the genre, despite its imperfections. However, it is crucial to address the technical issues and visual shortcomings highlighted by various reviewers, as they can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Wild Hearts seems to have struck a chord with many critics, offering a fresh take on the genre that, with some refinements, could solidify its position as a standout title in the realm of monster-hunting games.

TL;DR

Wild Hearts impresses critics with innovative gameplay mechanics and engaging combat, praised for its unique Karakuri crafting system and vibrant world. However, issues with traversal, combat mechanics, and technical performance detract from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, Wild Hearts shows promise in the monster-hunting genre and is recommended for fans, with potential for improvement to become a standout title with some refinements.

CRITIK

Reviews

168 reviews found

Player 2

Feb 27, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review overall praises Wild Hearts as a solid entry in the genre of hunting and crafting games.

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Screen Rant

PlayStation 5

Feb 16, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Wild Hearts is a class act and an impressive first step at a franchise that feels entirely original.

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GGRecon

Xbox Series X

Feb 25, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review gives Wild Hearts a score of 4.5 out of 5, praising its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay loop, and the potential for a franchise.

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TheGamer

Feb 16, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review praises Wild Hearts as a colorful and curious contender in the hunting game genre, with fascinating ideas and enjoyable experience despite some performance issues.

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Atomix

PlayStation 5

Feb 23, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Successfully combines familiar gameplay mechanics with innovative elements to create a compelling and immersive gaming experience. Offers a compelling alternative for players seeking a new adventure in the genre.

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GamingBolt

Feb 16, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Refreshing addition to the monster hunting genre with engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and a unique experience for players.

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Noisy Pixel

PlayStation 5

Feb 16, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Wild Hearts offers a unique take on the hunting RPG genre with its gameplay mechanics and story structure. The game has striking monster designs and distinct weapons. While there are some dips in pacing and repetitive encounters, it has little holding it back from becoming a new name in the genre.

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Digital Chumps

PlayStation 5

Feb 17, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Wild Hearts is a top-tier hunting experience with a great mixture of story, gameplay, visuals, and mechanics. It has room for improvement in controls but is a great entry in a genre lacking competition.

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ZTGD

Xbox Series X

Feb 16, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Wild Hearts is a superior hunting game with addictive gameplay and impressive monster designs, despite some narrative and quality of life issues.

TheSixthAxis

Feb 16, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Wild Hearts is a fresh and enjoyable hunting game that combines elements from Monster Hunter and Toukiden, offering a unique experience.

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