Good news for prospective monster hunters on the new Nintendo system: A free demo for Wild Hearts S is now available on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop. This offers players a substantial preview of the game before its full release and, perhaps most importantly for the dedicated hunter, includes the welcome feature of transferring your hard-earned progress directly into the final game.
What the Demo Offers
The demo allows adventurers to delve into the game`s prologue, guiding them through the initial stages of their journey up to the hub area known as `Minato`. Within this introductory segment, you`ll face off against formidable early-game creatures like the Ragetail and the Kingtusk, getting a solid feel for the challenging hunts that await in the full experience.
Cooperative play, a cornerstone of the monster-hunting genre, is thankfully included in the demo, supporting both online and local co-op sessions. A notable enhancement in this Switch 2 version is the expanded co-op capacity, allowing groups of up to four players to tackle colossal beasts together. This is a generous upgrade from the original 2023 release which capped teams at three. A technical note: cross-platform multiplayer will not be supported for this specific version.
From EA to Koei Tecmo: A Publishing Shift
The original Wild Hearts, developed by Omega Force (the studio behind the prolific Dynasty Warriors series), first appeared in February 2023 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, published under EA`s EA Originals label. The Switch 2 iteration sees a change in stewardship, with Koei Tecmo taking over publishing duties. For players, this means the multiplayer experience on Switch 2 will not require an EA account – a minor but perhaps appreciated technical detail for those keeping their digital ecosystems tidy.
More Than Just Hunting: The Karakuri Advantage
While often drawing comparisons to the venerable Monster Hunter series due to its core loop of hunting large creatures, Wild Hearts introduces its own unique mechanics that set it apart. Foremost among these is the innovative Karakuri system. Think of them as deployable automated contraptions built on the fly using collected resources. Need to gain the high ground rapidly? Erect climbing blocks instantly. Need to traverse a large gap or set up a defensive barrier? Zip lines and walls are at your fingertips. This emphasis on dynamic, environment-altering tools provides a distinct tactical layer to the hunts, requiring quick thinking and resource management alongside combat prowess.
Try Before You Commit (and Keep Your Gear)
With the full game scheduled to launch on July 25, the demo serves as an excellent, risk-free opportunity to experience Wild Hearts S firsthand. It`s a chance to test the waters with its hunting mechanics, experiment with the unique Karakuri system, and see if the expanded four-player co-op is the monster-slaying party you`ve been waiting for. And with save data carrying over seamlessly, your initial efforts in the prologue fighting Ragetail and Kingtusk won`t be in vain – you can jump straight into the full game with your demo progress intact.
