Wild Hearts could have been a massive hit for developer Koei Tecmo and publisher EA. The game offers top-notch gameplay, innovative systems, and an interesting story. Nevertheless, it is absolutely not making an impact. What’s the reason? MyMMO editor Benedict Grothaus takes a closer look at the matter.
When Wild Hearts was announced and we played the first test, it quickly became clear in the editorial office: The game has hit potential but needs to put in more effort. Wild Hearts was supposed to be an alternative to Monster Hunter – with co-op and crossplay.
Exactly what fans of Monster Hunter wanted after MH: World and what Capcom has neglected for years. Wild Hearts had every opportunity to develop magnificently and capture a huge, abandoned fanbase.
Since February 16, 2023, the new action game is out, but it generates hardly any resonance among gamers – barely any interest on Google, virtually non-existent on Twitch, and scant demand for guides and community stories.
Strangely enough, all the reviews are positive. I personally find Wild Hearts really good, and in the detailed review by GameStar, the game achieves 78 points.
Even internationally, it receives praise. A user on reddit has compiled the ratings from the biggest sites worldwide. Many reviewers rate it over 80%. The Metacritic ratings fluctuate between 77 and 80, depending on the platform.
Wild Hearts could have become a new IP, a new brand that succeeds under EA – a success that would have certainly benefited the reputation after the slump of Anthem. So, what’s going wrong?
In the video, we explain Wild Hearts in 3 minutes:
1. Wild Hearts is way too expensive
The biggest flaw, which both we have identified and is discussed in the community, is the price. Wild Hearts costs a hefty €80 for PS5 and Xbox, while on PC it is “only” €70. A substantial amount in itself is not necessarily a problem, but several factors come together here:
- Wild Hearts is a new IP, no one really knows what to expect from it
- The studio, Koei Tecmo, is relatively unknown in the West
- For the same amount – or significantly less – there are currently other games that have already proven themselves
Wild Hearts does offer a demo to test the game, but even that is hidden behind a paywall. Only those who use EA Play can view the game for 10 hours in advance. Players are correspondingly skeptical and accuse EA of greed.
Many voices are already saying: We are interested in Wild Hearts, it looks great. But not for the price, we will buy it later on sale.
2. Wild Hearts came too late – or far too early
With the release in February 2023, Wild Hearts has strategically positioned itself poorly. Just one week prior, Hogwarts Legacy was released, the game that is currently captivating the entire gaming landscape.
Alone, Hogwarts Legacy occupies 4 spots in the top 5 on Steam and breaks viewer records on Twitch. Everyone is talking about it or playing it themselves. And: It costs less.
Although the new Harry Potter game is not a direct competitor to Wild Hearts and targets completely different audiences, there is still a significant overlap of gamers who would now rather spend time in Hogwarts than in Azuma.
Additionally, at the end of January, Monster Hunter Rise was released for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Console players who have an interest in the genre may still be occupied with the original and have no time for Wild Hearts.
Wild Hearts would have had better chances to make a name for itself during a gaming drought like in spring 2022 or shortly after the release of Elden Ring 2022. That EA actually knows such things is evident from their sudden release of Apex Legends.
3. The PC port falls far short of expectations
Even the price and timing could have been excused if the performance had been adequate. However, Wild Hearts launched with significant issues on various systems – above all on PC.
Almost every review criticizes the poor performance: really stable high FPS are not achieved, and there are graphics and sound bugs. None of this completely disrupts the gameplay but is annoying.
Even SkillUp, an expert in Monster Hunter, praises Wild Hearts while warning PC players about the game. Gamers do not have the impression that the game technically justifies its high price.
Another pain point: Many of the problems were already known from previous tests and communicated to the developers. Nevertheless, the game was released in this state and has shaken the trust of many fans. The team is working on a solution, which will only be released after launch.
In our co-op session, the game runs smoothly, but you can hear that the picture and sound are out of sync – unpleasant:
4. No one knew about Wild Hearts before the release
Wild Hearts is not only a completely new IP, but also was hardly advertised prior to its release. There were no major campaigns to draw attention to the game or to win people over for the idea.
No significant marketing actions were launched, no hype trailers, and no influencers were booked to talk about Wild Hearts. The almost only advertising consisted of scattered trailers that were only moderately distributed.
5. No one talks about Wild Hearts
Finally, all these points could still somehow be countered if the right people had spoken about Wild Hearts. Keyword social media and Twitch.
A few influential personalities on Twitch, TikTok, or Twitter could have been enough to set the proverbial stone rolling. But Wild Hearts does not exist on social media.
None of the big streamers like xQc or Asmongold have noticed Wild Hearts or showcased it. On Twitch, only smaller channels show the new game, although with enthusiasm.
On Twitter, there are hardly any trends related to the game, and even the official tweets have relatively few replies. The subreddit for Wild Hearts has only 5,700 users. That is not enough to make conversations about the topic go viral.
By comparison: Monster Hunter World has nearly 500,000 fans on reddit, Hogwarts Legacy already has 188,000 and is only slightly older than Wild Hearts.
It’s strange that so little advertising was done, as the trailers were all really good:
Conclusion: Can Wild Hearts still be saved?
Even if the release of Wild Hearts absolutely did not work, it does not mean the game should be written off immediately. There are plenty of examples of games that had a botched release and were still saved or gained viral traction months or years after release.
The substance of Wild Hearts is impeccable. A co-op hunting game with an interesting new mechanic, a beautiful environment, and lovable characters. The perfect mixture for any fan of the genre.
It’s just lacking in execution. However, if the developers stay committed and polish Wild Hearts to the state it should have had at launch, the game can indeed succeed. Especially if it reaches more players through a discount.
Wild Hearts will be supplied with free updates after the release, bringing new weapons, monsters, and more. Those who join later will also receive a “more complete” game. This could also lead to a delayed success for Wild Hearts – as there is hope among players:
Players are already playing Wild Hearts – 3 things they praise and one thing that annoys
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