Koei Tecmo and EA have revealed Wild Hearts, a new hunting action game set in a world inspired by feudal Japan. And according to the game’s official reveal trailer, it’ll get its chance soon. Wild Hearts‘ release date falls on February 17, 2023. Word of the game first dropped during the 2022 Tokyo Game Show. At the time, Koei Tecmo announced that it was working with US-based publisher Electronic Arts to create a new hunting game. It’s being developed by Omega Force, creators of the Dynasty Warriors titles and Koei Tecmo’s own Toukiden hunting series.
Check out the Wild Hearts reveal trailer below.
Wild Hearts takes place in Azuma, a fantasy region that is part of the “Far East”. The land is imperiled by the rampaging of powerful “Kemono” (Japanese for “beast”). The beasts devastate the wilderness in their struggles over territory, making Azuma unlivable for humans. The Kemono have designs inspired by real and fantastic creatures, including a giant boar that sends roots and branches sprouting out of the ground when it attacks. Another squirrel-like beast is able to grow a blossoming tree with its tail. The wolf-like Deathstalker is covered in frozen branches, and the ape-like Lavaback spouts flaming debris from its hide.
Check out some screenshots from the game in the gallery below.
Players, however, have an advantage, the “Seed of Invention” that makes it possible to use tools and weapons to go head-to-head against the massive creatures. In gameplay terms, this seems to take the form of a rapid building mechanic, where hunters are able to use “Karakuri” technologies to create structures, gadgets, and fortifications. One player constructs a tower of wooden cubes to climb and jump off from using a wooden lantern that deploys into a helicopter-like glider device. Another creates a device that swings a massive hammer to knock down an airborne beast. Another tower acts like a harpoon gun, tying down a beast and immobilizing it. Still others modify the players’ weapons themselves, like a katana that deploys jagged electrical spikes or a transforming bow.
Wild Hearts is in development and releases on February 17, 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
