Good news for prospective Nintendo Switch 2 owners looking for their next big hunt: the Wild Hearts S demo is now available. This grants players a substantial early look at the action-RPG, with a very practical benefit: progress made in the demo can be seamlessly transferred to the full game upon its release on July 25th.
For those eager to dive in, the demo covers the game`s opening section, extending through the prologue and culminating at the hub area known as `Minato`. Players will face off against some formidable early foes, specifically mentioning the beasts Ragetail and Kingtusk. It`s a solid taste of the challenging combat and crafting loop.
Perhaps most notably, the demo supports both online and local cooperative play. In a welcome upgrade for the Switch 2 version, Wild Hearts S expands the co-op player count to four, up from the three-player limit of the original release. Yes, you read that right – four players working together to take down colossal creatures. It`s worth noting, however, that this version does not feature cross-platform multiplayer capabilities. You`ll be hunting exclusively with other Switch 2 players.
This iteration of Wild Hearts S for Nintendo Switch 2 is handled by Koei Tecmo as publisher. Interestingly, the original Wild Hearts, released in early 2023 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, was published under EA`s EA Originals label. The shift means that for the Switch 2 version, an EA account will not be required for multiplayer access – a small but significant detail for many. The game itself is developed by Omega Force, a studio well-acquainted with large-scale action, known for their Dynasty Warriors series.
While often compared to the venerable Monster Hunter franchise, Wild Hearts distinguishes itself with its unique Karakuri system. These deployable automatons allow players to rapidly construct tools and structures in the environment, from climbing platforms to traversal-enhancing ziplines, adding a dynamic, on-the-fly crafting layer to the hunting experience.
With the demo offering a tangible chunk of the game and the ability to carry progress forward, it presents an excellent opportunity for Switch 2 owners to test the waters before the full game arrives later this summer.
Ellis Thorne