Konnichiwa, Wild Hearts
EA and Koei Tecmo subsidiary Omega Force are collaborating on a new hunting game known as Wild Hearts, the next title in the large publisher’s “EA Originals” line of titles. It’s one of the more surprising video game announcements in recent memory, considering not only how this is the first time Koei Tecmo is teaming up with EA, but also how long it’s been since EA has worked with a Japanese developer on a title. (The last time of note was Shadows of the Damned in a collaboration with Grasshopper Manufacture over a decade ago, years before the latter was scooped up by GungHo Online Entertainment.) The developer and publisher are describing this as the “next great fantasy adventure,” a title that will take place in a fantasy world inspired by feudal Japan.
The trailer shows precisely what the game will be, with hunter characters that use swords, bows, and even wagasas as weapons. They’re shown fighting monsters in sizes ranging from large to huge in solo play and as a team. It, so to speak, showed enough for anyone to point at the gameplay showcase Leonardo DiCaprio style and say “that’s Monster Hunter” while watching. Wild Hearts’ Japanese-style fantasy world is formally known as “Azuma,” one that’s been ravaged by once-peaceful creatures known as “Kemono.” Hunters will have to fight them using sophisticated technology known as “Karakuri.” It doesn’t take place in Japan, but it’s nonetheless very Japanese.
It’s a clear successor to Omega Force’s previous hunting franchise: Toukiden. The art style, involving the character and creature design, and its world look different, sure, but the Japanese fantasy setting, attack styles, and the running animations are unsurprisingly reminiscent of those titles. Successors always need to resemble their predecessors, as many video game sequels don’t. The game will essentially be “Toukiden World,” an installment not primarily made for the Japanese market that isn’t being designed for the PSP and Vita.
In a way, I’m shocked that it took so long for another publisher to announce a new hunting game. Capcom took a risk with Monster Hunter: World on consoles and PC in 2018, the first MH title designed for the world, hence the name — true masters of subtlety. It was the first MH title not primarily developed for Japan and released on a handheld platform, after Capcom set their sights higher. They were on to something. World went on to sell a whopping 18.30 million copies worldwide, and the Iceborne expansion sold an additional 9.50 million copies. The massive numbers were proof that Capcom knew the worldwide gaming audience was thirsty for this kind of action hunting game.
My key question that followed this: Where were the other publishers to capitalize on their success? If a company releases something that’s overwhelmingly successful, others will inevitably want in on the profits; it’s a common phenomenon in all media. I’m surprised that it took so long here, though there are reasons for it.
When Monster Hunter was established as a behemoth on Japan, and after plans were announced to release new games on 3DS after a deal was struck between Capcom and Nintendo, other publishers rushed to have their hunting games ready for the competing PlayStation Vita. In addition to the aforementioned Toukiden series, there were others like Bandai Namco’s God Eater, Game Arts/GungHo’s Ragnarok Odyssey Ace, Square Enix’s Lord of Arcana and Lord of Apocalypse, and Sony’s Soul Sacrifice and Freedom Wars. I wouldn’t be surprised if I was forgetting a few there, but you get the idea: Publishers were quick to provide competition, and several of those were quite successful. They’ve been considerably slower with doing so on consoles following World.
This is somewhat understandable. It takes much longer and it’s much more expensive for developers and publishers to create console games compared to those for an almost-HD handheld. But we’re closing in on five years since World released, so it’s not unreasonable to think publishers would have something ready to show by now. It’s taken time, but Omega Force has finally heeded the call, and it’s clear EA knows how bankable the genre is.
It would be best for everyone involved if Wild Hearts provided ample competition for Capcom in the hunting genre, considering they currently have none. It would also be best if EA doesn’t step on Omega Force’s toes as they complete the game’s development, which I hope isn’t too difficult to ask. An extended gameplay showcase will be provided on October 5th, the first of many to come before the game arrives on February 17th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, with cross-play being supported on all platforms.
About The Author
Geoff
News Editor | Geoff is some nerd who writes for a blog and thinks he's knowledgeable. He write a lot about video games, but is capable of writing about other subjects, too. Twitter
