SQUARE ENIX’S THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE IS NOW AVAILABLE AND READY TO TAKE FANS ON A MAGICAL MUSICAL JOURNEY
Download the Demo Today to Begin Your Adventure for Free
SYDNEY (Feb. 17, 2023)– SQUARE ENIX® today launched THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE™, the next entry in the fan-favorite rhythm action series, for the Nintendo Switch™ system and PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console. Featuring 385 FINAL FANTASY® tracks in the base game, three game modes, local and online multiplayer and over 100 FINAL FANTASY characters to create your dream party, fans can celebrate the legendary music of the FINAL FANTASY series like never before.
Check out Capsule Computers Gameplay here:
To view the official THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE launch trailer, visit:
Following today’s release, the game will continue to add tracks from SQUARE ENIX’s robust library of beloved music through various DLC packs, which come included in Season Passes 1-3, so players have plenty to look forward to as they embark on this vivid musical journey.
Players can also download the free THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE demo through the PlayStation Store* and Nintendo eShop. The demo features 30 legendary songs, including popular hits from FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY XV, and allows for players to carry over their save data from the demo to the full game.
THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE is available now digitally for Nintendo Switch™ and PS4®. A physical Standard Edition for both platforms is also available for purchase through select retailers. For more information, visit: https://square-enix-games.com
* Due to backwards compatibility, the PS4™ consumer demo is playable on PlayStation® (PS5™) consoles.
About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 173 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Kitchener, Ontario — Feb. 16, 2023 —Mayhem in Single Valley, the fast-paced puzzle- loaded action adventure from developer Fluxscopic and publisher tinyBuild, repels zombie hordes Thursday, March 2, 2023, on PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Guide Jack, an aspiring artist accepted into the college of his dreams. As he prepares to leave his hometown for art school, a terrible truck collision spills toxic sludge into the local water supply, transforming Jack’s neighbors and the surrounding wildlife of Single Valley into mindless zombies. With his neighborhood irradiated and the undead running rampant, Jack has no choise but to put his college plans on hold: this rising freshman now rises to save the world.
Search Single Valley and determine how to stop the apocalypse. Solve puzzles and locate collectibles while dodging, luring, and stunning mutated enemies. Evade blood-thirsty bunnies, contaminated cats, and barbaric bears. Loot new materials to use as equipment and set up distractions to create paths through hordes of the undead. Learn the best ways to avoid conflict like tossing carrots to distract critters or firing nuts and bolts from a slingshot to daze the infected.
Explore a beautiful pixelated world populated with 2D characters placed on a 3D modeled canvas, using shadows to enhance the atmosphere. A retro-inspired original soundtrack combined with 8-bit sound effects pays homage to the classic days of gaming, serenading survivors with a comforting sense of nostalgia.
“Paying homage to some of our favorite old-school titles with a more modernized design sensibility has been a rewarding experience, but nothing has been more fulfilling than receiving praise and gratitude from our passionate community saving Single Valley on PC,” said Brian Cullen, Founder at Fluxcopic. “We’re thrilled to expand onto consoles and eagerly await seeing new survivalists respond to the quirky characters of Single Valley.”
Mayhem in Single Valley will launch Thursday March 2, 2023, on PlayStation 5|4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, for $14.99 USD, and is currently available on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GoG. Language support includes English, French, Italian, German, Spanish – Spain, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, and Simplified Chinese.
Fluxscopic is a Canadian video game development studio established in 2014 by Brian Cullen after his relocation from Ireland a few years prior. After making his solo debut game You Are Not a Banana, Brian decided to create a company that would merge the best of gaming’s past with the design sensibilities of today’s indie scene.
About tinyBuild
tinyBuild is a Seattle-based indie label behind the Hello Neighbor franchise and over 30 renowned titles, including Hello Neighbor, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, Happy Humble’s Burger Farm, and Party Hard. With additional development offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Belgrade, Serbia, and Riga, Latvia, tinyBuild is rapidly building a portfolio of fun, high-quality games across multiple platforms.
DiscoverSeason 2 of DRAGON BALL: THE BREAKERS, and all its new content and characters, available now.
DRAGON BALL: THE BREAKERS season 2 includes a new Raider, one new map, as well as additional transpheres and customization possibilities. New Survivor Skins are also available, and you can now play as Yajirobe, Chi-Chi and King Furry.
Season 2 also comes with a new Dragon Tier, with rewards upon playing and unlocking ranks including King Furry skin.
Get to play Vegeta, The Saiyan Prince, as the new Raider roaming the Temporal Seams of season 2!
First Form: Saibaman
At the beginning of the match, you are playing a Saibaman. There are multiple of them around the map, and you can switch control between them. If the Saibaman’s HP reaches 0 or if some time passes, even if the evolution energy is not maxed out, the Saibaman will evolve automatically. The third way to evolve is by grabbing a survivor and using the skill “self-destruct.”
Second form: Nappa
Nappa can increase its evolution energy by finishing off civilians and injuring Survivors. When Nappa fills up the evolution energy or if he is defeated by Survivors, Vegeta takes over as your next form.
Third form: Vegeta
Vegeta has two ways to transform into the Great Ape. The first is to create a Power Ball: this is an active skill of Vegeta that creates a makeshift full moon needed to transform into a Great Ape. The second way is to gather all 7 Dragon Balls, then ask Shenron to “show you the full moon” which triggers the Great Ape transformation.
Both Nappa and Vegeta own a Scouter that highlights Survivors around them within a certain range. Nappa can plant a Saibaman in the ground that will ambush approaching Survivors. On the other side, Vegeta can use his skill “Call Nappa” to search Survivors. This skill is available to Vegeta only if Nappa evolved without being defeated by Survivors.
New transpheres introduced in Season 2 of DRAGON BALL: THE BREAKERS include:
Goku (Super Saiyan)’s active skill: Instant transmission. This skill allows you to concentrate and focus on where your allies are. You can then reach your allies instantly.
Gohan (Teen)(Super Saiyan)’s passive Skill: Ki control. This new skill reduces how long the Ki effect (blue aura) lasts when caught by the Raider while hiding.
Get to see Vegeta’s power unleashed in this new trailer:
Vegeta, Yajirobe and Chi-Chi are available in the in-game shop, as well as a “Raider and Survivor Skin Set” combining the three characters!
Besides those new characters, additional customization items are added in the in-game shop. Finally, a new map, “Rocky Field”, is added as a free update.
The game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC, and compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Starting today, all existing owners of The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me will have access to a free Friend’s Pass for one month, allowing players to experience one full playthrough of the game via multiplayer Shared Story mode with one friend that does not own the game. The Friend’s Pass offer applies on all platforms with both players playing on the same platform.
Along with the Friend’s Pass, the Curator’s Cut is also making its way to everyone, and gives players the opportunity to see the game from a different character perspective as well as experience new outcomes, with exclusive scenes following their initial playthrough.
Watch the trailer here:
The Devil in Me is the fourth instalment of The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of stand-alone, branching cinematic horror games, where each game features a brand-new story, setting and cast of characters.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me is available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam.
NEXON, BLUE ARCHIVE MAIN STORY VOL. 3 – EDEN TREATY: CHAPTER 4 KYRIE OF THE FORGOTTEN GODS PART 2 UPDATE
The whirlwind climax of the Eden Treaty – Saori arrives as a new Arius Satellite School student A 1,200 Pyroxene gift courtesy of Arius District Exploration Task 2
SEOUL – Feb. 15, 2023 – On Thursday, Feb. 15, Nexon Korea Corp. (CEO: Jung-Hun Lee) released part two of Blue Archive’s event story “Kyrie of the Forgotten Gods,” developed by Nexon Games (CEO: Yong-Hyun Park).
“Kyrie of the Forgotten Gods Part 2” follows Saori and Arius Squad as they aid Sensei and Atsuko. When Mika’s intervention throws their plans in disarray, Saori goes toe-to-toe with Mika to rescue the mission and her beloved squad. The story of Mika and Saori’s intersecting lives and the meaning of their battle will unfold.
Arius Satellite School student Saori will be added as part of the update as an Explosive-type Striker. She uses her EX Skill “Et Omnia Vanitas!” to deal guaranteed Crit DMG proportional to her ATK to a single enemy. Accompanying Saori’s arrival will be recruitment reruns for Aru, Shiroko (Cycling) and Aris. Special Mission Decagrammaton will also receive its third event update.
In celebration of the update, Nexon will also be releasing Arius District Exploration Task 2. Completing tasks, such as going through the Main Story, conducting Lessons and collecting Growth Materials will net players Handmade Wreaths. Players who collect 100 Handmade Wreaths will receive 1,200 Pyroxene as a gift. In addition, the Triple Rewards Campaign for Missions and Commissions will be in effect until Tuesday, Feb. 28. And, of course, as a Valentine’s Day celebration, the Schale’s Special Sweets Supply Event will allow players get the gift of 100 AP for logging in each day until Monday, Feb. 20.
You can find details about Blue Archive‘s Event Story update by visiting the official homepage and community pages.
Blue Archive Official Forum: [LINK] Blue Archive Official Discord: [LINK] Blue Archive Official Twitter: [LINK] Blue Archive Official Facebook: [LINK]
Founded in 1994, NEXON Co., Ltd. (Nexon) (3659.TO) is a company engaged in the production, development and operation of online games and Virtual Worlds. First listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, Nexon was placed on JPX400 in 2015 and added to the Nikkei Stock Index 300 in 2017. In 2020, Nexon was added to the Nikkei 225. Nexon currently has more than 45 live games on multiple platforms including mobile and available in more than 190 countries. Major game franchises include MapleStory, KartRider and Dungeon&Fighter. In 2021, Nexon completed the acquisition of Embark Studios AB, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing multiple projects for global release.
The Most Ambitious Digital Pinball Platform in Videogame History Kicks Off with 86 Tables at Release (Introducing The Addams Family!), Exciting New Features and the Promise of Continuous Expansion
SAN FRANCISCO – Feb. 16, 2023 –With today’s release of Pinball FX, a new era of digital pinball from Zen Studios has finally arrived. Including a day-one, ever-expanding lineup of 86 tables, plus an impressive suite of new features, the revolutionary pinball platform is now available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, also graduating from early access to full official release on the Epic Games Store. A Nintendo Switch version arrives this spring. The free download includes Wild West Rampage at no cost, and trial modes exist for all tables.
Fans of the Pinball FX franchise have long appreciated its healthy mix of original and licensed tables, each brought to life with gameplay and special effects impossible on a physical table. A Pinball Pass subscription ($14.99 per month) allows unlimited access to over 70 of the 86 launch tables, or they can be purchased in multipacks such as Star Wars™ Pinball Collection 1 (10 tables), Marvel Pinball Collection 1 (11 tables), Universal Classics Pinball (3 tables) or Gearbox® Pinball (3 tables).
All returning tables from previous editions have been fully remastered in Unreal Engine, with ray-tracing-enhanced, 4K-HDR visuals, as well as upgraded Pro Physics. Not lacking in fresh downloadable content, Pinball FX also introduces three brand-new releases: Borderlands®: Vault Hunter Pinball, Brothers in Arms®: Win the War Pinball and The Addams Family (itself including never-before-seen enhanced play, as with all Williams classics).
At the same time, console players can get their hands on more than 15 tables for the first time which Pinball FX early access players have already been able to enjoy, such as Star Wars Pinball: The Mandalorian, World War Z Pinball, DreamWorks Pinball, five Zen Originals, plus Williams classics World Cup Soccer and The Machine: Bride of Pin-Bot. Zen will release new tables regularly, many involving exciting new licensed IPs – most immediately, Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla vs. Kong.
Beyond the tables themselves, the hub area invites players to fully customize the “Pin Hall” trophy room of their dreams, with items earned from personal pinball achievements. Players can also engage with specialized tournaments and events there created both by themselves and Zen.
Accessible via the Pin Hall later this year, Pinball Royale mode combines classic pinball with player-elimination gameplay for a fresh take on battle royale. It also exemplifies Zen’s commitment to adding new features, gameplay and especially tables on a regular basis for the foreseeable future.
“I think it’s fair to say that this is the biggest single day in the history of Zen Studios – and maybe even digital pinball itself,” said Mel Kirk, Chief Operating Officer at Zen Studios. “The future has never been brighter for Pinball FX as a franchise, and we cannot wait to show you some of the other great stuff we have in store for the future.”
Keep up with the latest updates, weekly challenges and grand tournaments by visiting www.PinballFX.com and following the team on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Zen Studios
Zen Studios is a leading global producer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for all major digital game platforms. Recognized as one of the premier gaming studios in the world, Zen has worked with some of the most iconic entertainment studios, including Lucasfilm, Marvel Entertainment, NBC Universal, Funko and FOX Digital Entertainment.
Zen’s Pinball FX franchise has defined video game pinball excellence since 2007, and critically acclaimed titles like Circus Electrique and Operencia: The Stolen Sun have proven its devotion to creating captivating RPGs. Zen Studios joined Saber Interactive in November 2020. For more information on Zen’s library of titles, visit https://zenstudios.com.
About Embracer Group
Embracer Group is a parent company of businesses led by entrepreneurs in PC, console, mobile and board games and other related media. The Group has an extensive catalog of over 850 owned or controlled franchises.
With its head office based in Karlstad, Sweden, Embracer Group has a global presence through its eleven operative groups: THQ Nordic, Plaion, Coffee Stain, Amplifier Game Invest, Saber Interactive, DECA Games, Gearbox Entertainment, Easybrain, Asmodee, Dark Horse and Embracer Freemode. The Group has 120 internal game development studios and is engaging more than 12,750 employees and contracted employees in more than 40 countries.
Become the Ultimate Lawless Road Warrior in Call of Duty®: Mobile – Season 2: Heavy Metal Beginning February 22
It’s all gas and no brakes in Call of Duty®: Mobile’s second season of 2023 – Season 2: Heavy Metal. Launching on February 22 at 4pm PT, only the best road warriors will be able to tame this post-apocalyptic desert hellscape that includes a new MP map – Diesel, two new MP modes – Goliath Clash! and Chaos Control, a new Unit Support perk, and much more.
Call of Duty: Mobile – Season 2: Heavy Metal gives players the opportunity to earn 50 new tiers of Battle Pass rewards with a fresh supply of free and premium content, including operators such as Domino – Intimidation Tactics and the never-before-seen Deadman, as well as the Maddox weapon, Unit Support perk, Weapon Blueprints, Calling Cards, Charms, Call of Duty® Points (CP), and more launching throughout the season!
Get ready beat the heat and read all the details for Call of Duty: Mobile – Season 2: Heavy Metal coming to Android and iOS:
New MP Map – Diesel – First featured in Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold War, Diesel drops players into a quaint roadside pitstop smack in the middle of the desolate badlands.
Two New MP Modes – Test your luck in Chaos Control, a new variant of Control, or fulfill your mech fighter dreams in Goliath Clash! where players will spawn as Goliath and try to make it to a capture point where they’ll be rewarded with batteries to collect for a host of upgrades.
New BR Class – Ravager Launcher – Place a Sentry Turret that will automatically attack enemies within range, or upgrade to the High DMG Missile to lock, track and destroy vehicles.
New Weapon, Attachment and Perk – Pick up the new Maddox weapon, a great balanced AR; upgrade with the M4 – Underbarrel Launcher signature attachment; or level up with the new Unit Support perk.
Players can also expect a variety of updates and improvements to the game in Call of Duty: Mobile – Season 2: Heavy metal on top of new Seasonal Challenges, Lucky Draws, and more, releasing in the store at launch and throughout the season.
The Call of Duty: Mobile – Season 2: Heavy Metal reveal trailer can be found here:
The first major content update in the hit franchise sequel features an all-new icy zone with snowball fights, prehistoric slimes, and collectibles for Xbox Series X/S and Windows PC
SAN MATEO, Calif. – February 16, 2023 – Monomi Park, creators of the highly popular Slime Rancher franchise, today announced that “Song of the Sabers”, the first major content update for Slime Rancher 2, is now available. In this update, plucky rancher Beatrix LeBeau explores new adventures on a mysterious, glacial island off the coast of Ember Valley known as Powderfall Bluffs. As if it were a giant, icy time capsule, Beatrix discovers a thriving community of prehistoric Saber Slimes and Thundercluck chickens within, as well as a treasure trove of new resources for crafting and strange, auroral anomalies scattered about the zone. Free to current owners of Slime Rancher 2, new players can download the game and access the content update for Xbox Series X/S and Windows PC starting today for $29.99.
Explore a New Biome: Powderfall Bluffs, a prehistoric frozen island that has mysteriously emerged from the Slime Sea.
Wrangle New Slimes: Saber Slimes are a ferocious blast from the past! Thought to be long extinct, these prehistoric predators now stalk Thundercluck chickens among snowdrifts of Powderfall Bluffs.
Snowball Fights: Slimes love to play in the snow and won’t hesitate to engage in a snowball fight with you and other slimes!
Discover Auroral Anomalies: Phantom-like flora gleam through the landscape and nightfall illuminates bridges that allow you to reach new heights along the icy mountains of Powderfall Bluffs, but act fast before they vanish with the dawn.
Build New Gadgets: Start an icy dust up anywhere with the Snowball Machine or capture the spirit of winter with a giant snow globe. Powderfall Bluffs offers many new rewards for those that can collect the precious resources from its frigid peaks.
Slime Rancher 2 is a sequel to the award-winning, smash-hit original that has been enjoyed by over 15 million fans worldwide. Continue the adventures of Beatrix LeBeau as she journeys to Rainbow Island, a mysterious land brimming with ancient technology, unknown natural resources, and an avalanche of wiggling, jiggling, new slimes to discover.
As Beatrix attempts to unravel the island’s secrets and uncover its true purpose, she’ll build, ranch, and farm within a beautiful conservatory, whose sparkling glass walls give her full view of the prismatic paradise she now calls home.
About Monomi Park Monomi Park is an independent game studio based out of sunny San Mateo, California. Founded in 2014 by Nick Popovich and Mike Thomas, Monomi Park is now home to a diverse team of wild dreamers and mad creators committed to creating unconventional gaming experiences that defy expectations. Its flagship title, Slime Rancher was released into Early Access in 2016 with an official release following in 2017. It is one of the highest-rated games on Steam of all time with a 98% positive average score, and has sold over 6 million copies across all platforms with over 15 million players worldwide. Slime Rancher 2 launched into Early Access on September 22, 2022 and sold over 300,000 copies in the first week.
Get in the groove as you shoot to the beat to survive in this heart-pounding, rhythm FPS!
STOCKHOLM – Feb. 16, 2023 – Raw Fury’s GUN JAM VR, the all-new, fast-paced rhythm-FPS from developer Jaw Drop Games and publisher Raw Fury, rocks its way onto Meta Quest 2 today! Match your shots to the beat in this immersive VR shooter featuring dazzling firefights and a high-energy multi-genre soundtrack.
GUN JAM VR is set in the vibrant city of Mubel, where the omni-present “Beat” controls all and citizens dance to The Speaker’s ruling tune. Using a unique beat-pattern shooting mechanic, it’s your job to rebel and break out of its hypnotic flow by force! Wield a variety of weapons, take on hordes of tranced-out troopers and other foes, and match your shots to the beats of a thrilling original soundtrack to survive the musical dystopia and restore freedom to the masses.
Key Features:
A unique beat-pattern shooting mechanic
Firefights are synced to an original, multi-genre soundtrack featuring trap music, EDM and heavy metal
Adapt to different music, environments, and enemies as you progress
An immersive art style and vibrant surroundings that react to the music
Arcade and Freeplay game modes
GUN JAM VR is available now as a digital download on the Meta Quest Store for $14.99. More information about the upcoming PC release of GUN JAM is expected soon.
About Jaw Drop Games
Jaw Drop Games is an independent game studio based in the U.K. and a collective of experienced, award-winning game development professionals. We blend AAA production values with independent originality and creativity. Our goal is to create games with jaw-dropping moments.
Raw Fury is a boutique indie (un)publisher founded in 2015 by Jonas Antonsson, Gordon Van Dyke, and David Martinez. We do not care about genres or mechanics. We care about experiences and emotions. We want to help developers make magic.
When it comes to hunting down monsters there is usually a certain series that fans turn to involving a feline, and most recently canine, companion but there have been others that have attempted to move into the fantastical hunting grounds before. One such developer is Omega Force who has previously worked on games like Toukiden that attempted their own take on the hunting genre. After a couple of attempts with the smaller series, the developer has made an incredibly odd pairing that sees the Koei Tecmo owned developer working alongside EA to bring out a large scale monster hunting game called Wild Hearts that puts its own spin on taking down giant beasts with all manners of weaponry and unique real-time crafting mechanics. Is this brand new element one that opens the doors to competition and helps Wild Hearts establish a foothold?
Story
As a lone hunter, players find themselves on the trail of an extremely powerful Kemono that has begun ravaging the land of Azuma. These Kemono are beasts similar to natural creatures such as squirrels, bears, and other creatures only grown to monstrous size and infused with powers of nature. The player-created hunter, who can have their own backstory crafted through a series of simple questions, finds themselves quickly outmatched by the Deathstalker Kemono and at the brink of death. Only through the help of a mysterious traveler and an ancient piece of technology that has been fused into their body can the hunter once again rise and face off against the Kemono once more in an effort to restore some sort of balance between nature and what is left of humanity.
For the most part the storyline in Wild Hearts is fairly simplistic and mostly serves as the tool that keeps players progressing through each hunt and unlocking more of the world to explore. The city of Minato and its residents do have some charm to them, but it is a bit too simple with even the most interesting side-quests they offer having predictable conclusions. This isn’t too big of a detriment, especially since there is some great lore to be found about the Kemono both in the game’s glossary once they’ve hunted enough as well as collectables out in the world, but it would be nice if the characters and the storyline were a bit more fleshed out.
Gameplay
In many ways those familiar with another certain hunting franchise will feel right at home with Wild Hearts as players will generally start out hunts in the same way. While players can freely travel to unlocked areas and hunt any Kemono that they find roaming the map, including some that they may not be ready to face off against yet, most hunts are undertaken by selecting either the story mission, side-mission, or replay mission objective on the map. This can be accessed at any time through the map or selected at the campfire. Along these same lines players can easily request assistance for any of their chosen hunting targets either through the map, upon first facing off against the creature at the tap of a button, or even accessing one of the many small gateways throughout each zone, with the latter also allowing players access to search for others who may be looking for help in a hunt. It is a bit odd that Omega Force capped the total number of hunters at only three at a time but thankfully the process of finding and playing with others runs so smoothly with crossplay that it makes any type of co-op easy to access and enjoy.
Various mechanics such as needing to manage an inventory or worry about weapon sharpness are not elements players will need to worry about in Wild Hearts and eating food is a more interesting element as well. Players can carry up to twenty different types of food with them at a time though these items can be dried, pickled, etc. to increase the amount of stat bonuses they provide when eaten. There is a limit to how many items the player can consume on any given hunt but this ability to customize and prepare food beforehand is a nice feature, especially since it can happen anywhere. Players can even eventually prepare multiple food preparation stations back in Minato to keep a steady stream of enhanced items waiting for them when they return from a hunt.
As for the beasts that players will be hunting, Wild Hearts has quite an array of them to take down and while the overall number may be a bit on the anemic side, especially since one is more gimmick than anything else and there are a couple reskins, almost every battle will feel like a thrill for a number of reasons. Not only are these Kemono gorgeously designed they all have different elemental properties and abilities that they can and will use while fighting against the player. This can range from simple aspects like the sap covered Sapscourge slowing hunters and making them easier to hit to a Gritdog that can use magnetic sand to suck in the player towards a devastating attack while crafting structures similar to those the player is capable of creating. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to some of the capabilities of these creatures, as some can throw new abilities at players as they grow enraged close to death, often increasing their elemental properties and morphing them into far more dangerous targets capable of dealing massive amounts of damage that can leave players staggering as well as transforming the local area with its abilities.
Of course, the Kemono aren’t the only ones with tricks up their sleeves as the primary tool that hunters have on their side, outside of their weapon of choice of course, are Karakuri. Karakuri are structures that players can spend their limited amount of thread (obtained from rocks, trees, and even drawn from Kemono’s exposed weak spots should the player climb on top of them) to construct in the middle of combat and work as both support items and powerful structures that can help in numerous ways. Players can summon things such as simple blocks to spring off of to perform aerial attacks, springs that can shoot them away from attacks or right at an enemy if they wish, gliders that are useful both for dodging incoming blows as well as gaining a height advantage with certain weapons, and much more. These basic Karakuri can be summoned in certain combinations to create powerful fusion Karakuri that are unlocked as players battle against certain Kemono. Many of these are a bit situational but things such as the Bulwark can create a solid wall that will block at least one incoming blow and give players a chance to heal or revive an ally while also serving as a launching platform for attacks. Along these same lines are fusions such as healing mist, and even a firework that can temporarily stun a Kemono. That being said, some of these are a bit too situational for their own good and often various attacks do appear to glitch through things such as the Bulwark leading to an untimely death or a well-timed Pounder blow dealing no damage despite making contact.
Alongside these smaller karakuri players can also craft “Dragon Karakuri” that are more permanent features on both the hunting maps as well as within Minato. These karakuri can be disassembled at will and are usually meant for utility as they can do things such as automatically catch fish, serve as fast travel points through the use of tents, prepare ingredients, and simply navigate around the map faster, especially through the use of “Flying Vine” ziplines and a certain one-wheel vehicle. It is worth noting that players are limited on using the Dragon Karakuri a bit as the only way to build them is to make use of elemental wells that must be unlocked and upgraded throughout the map, increasing the amount of each element that can be used on any given map. This does make for some rather interesting design elements as players can choose to place various hunting elements in one area, including an item that will scan the area for Kemono, and then craft a series of ziplines making traveling after their target a quick affair, making us wonder just how many unique layouts players will see as they travel to other hunters’ worlds and assist in hunts, perhaps gaining some insight as to how to make their own lives easier as well.
Now, while Wild Hearts makes the karakuri the various tools that hunters can make use of when hunting a beast, their primary attacks will always be their weapon of choice and this game has nine different types to offer. Some of the weapons are a bit on the standard side and can be a bit predictable with the hammer making strong blows that can be extended into larger hits with precise timing and bows that deal extra damage when their users alternate attack types and charge and unfortunately one of the most interesting and dynamic weapons is locked away until players complete the first part of the game but there are some unique elements here. The powerful cannon can be combined with Karakuri to give it a faster fire rate or charged to dish out massive damage but leaves the player slow while the morphing Karakuri Staff makes for some of the most fluid and enjoyable fighting around as the weapon morphs from form to form and allows for players to smoothly transition between weapon types and keeping attacks up against the Kemono. Of course, another favorite is the Bladed Wagasa that can deal penetration damage and allow for players to chain into airborne attacks with ease while also being able to parry some attacks, giving players extra defensive options besides rolling, jumping, or using karakuri to get out of the way of an attack.
Fighting against Kemono using these weapons is almost always a delight and while things may be a bit slow at times and rather dangerous, especially when facing off against a new threat, these battles are almost always a sight to behold. That being said, things can feel a bit too difficult at times especially in single player as, even well-equipped, Kemono attacks can deal massive amounts of damage to a hunter with a few hits killing in one blow. While players do have three lives, and the ability to revive co-op partners if fighting alongside others online, this can be a bit frustrating especially when certain attacks glitch through the aforementioned Bulwark. It is also worth noting that while the game does offer a see-through option for some terrain, it is entirely possible to get trapped within either a large Kemono’s body or in part of the terrain making the camera completely useless and leaving players at the mercy of their target.
As for upgrading their hunter’s gear, players will make use of the tried and true method of taking their spoils from a hunt and other resources and using them to craft the very same armor and weapons they will use for the next hunt. Unfortunately the amount of armor is a bit on the limited side, especially since there isn’t much gear that takes advantage of smaller Kemono or other resources, but there are additional upgrades for most gear. These upgrades come in the form of either “Human” or “Kemono” paths that enhance gear a step further while attaching extra abilities too. That being said, these extra upgrades do take a rather large amount of resources so players may wish to focus more on their weapons instead as they also have a rather unique upgrade tree. Rather than simply upgrade along a standard path or craft from scratch, every weapon has an upgrade tree that they can learn various skills along and transfer them as they progress down a tree. This makes for some interesting combinations and, while it costs a bit of money, players can revert upgrades and regain all materials used if they wish to take their weapon down a different path. This does mean however that some upgrades can remain out of reach for a bit if players are missing materials from an earlier Kemono and need to hunt that down instead.
Visuals & Audio
Wild Hearts on the Xbox Series X is a real delight to see as each zone that players travel through as the story progresses is tied to one season though the enemies that they fight there may not be. The locations often have great designs with unique looking areas scattered throughout, though fighting Kemono in some of these areas can be frustrating due to aforementioned camera issues. The actual Kemono themselves are extensively detailed with a great blend of nature-twisted creature that grows in power as it enrages and transforms further as it comes close to defeat. Be it the ground changing attacks they can unleash or the colorful designs that shift as players fight them, Kemono are a real delight and it is a bit of a shame that there are only a little over twenty, a few being reskins, available at launch.
As for the soundtrack, Wild Hearts features a great collection of background music that plays while exploring Minato and there are some solid sound effects to be heard while exploring the various hunting zones as well, including the various cries that the Kemono make during battle. The voice work is also handled rather well, though it may take a bit for some players to get used to the way characters weave Japanese and English words together in the same sentence, often repeating the same word in both languages.
Overall
Time will tell if Wild Hearts will make its mark on the beast hunting genre but it has certainly managed to impress with its own spin on things. Placing a feudal Japanese spin on the world while focusing on Kemono that are nature-imbued versions of common creatures makes for a great aesthetic that works quite well with some fine tuned combat mechanics and the unique elements that come from crafting Karakuri both for fights and navigation. Although Wild Hearts may have a rather small pool of Kemono to hunt and need some refinements to some of its Karakuri, this take on the hunting formula is one that will delight those looking for something familiar but different.
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