Wild Hearts whisks players away on an epic adventure in the land of Azuma, a fantasy landscape inspired by feudal Japan, where they’ll battle against giant nature-infused beasts called Kemono with the help of Karakuri, sophisticated mechanisms crafted from a lost, ancient technology. 

Wild Hearts takes place in Azuma, a fantasy landscape inspired by feudal Japan, that is now rampaged by the once peaceful Kemono - altering their environment at the cost of citizens’ lives. The Kemono range from plant-infused squirrels to the massive Kingtusk wild boar. After a dreadful fight with the winter wolf Deathstalker, players become bearers of a life-sustaining technology and are compelled to restore balance across the region. 

In Wild Hearts, players journey through Azuma as a lone wolf or pack-hunt with up to two friends thanks to the game’s co-op and crossplay features across all platforms. Players can expand their battle plans and go on special missions while pack hunting, join other hunters in the world or take on Kemono on their own.

Wild Hearts is a unique twist on the hunting genre where technology gives you a fighting chance against massive beasts infused with the destructive power of nature. These beasts are called Kemono, and have fused with natural elements over time, modifying their environment to accommodate their needs, much to the despair of the people of Azuma. What caused them to turn their might and desperation on this once peaceful land isn’t known, but they must be stopped and only a hunter of great skill and cunning will stand a chance. You are that hunter.

Causing a real threat to Azuma’s fantasy landscape, Kemono are giant beasts that have fused with their environments, wielding the power of nature to reshape their surroundings to suit their needs and battle for territory. Players will encounter all types of Kemono in Wild Hearts - from plant-infused squirrels to the massive Kingtusk wild boar and many more - as they traverse the world.

When fighting these giant beasts you won’t be limited to wits and weapons – you also possess the power of Karakuri, ancient technology you must master and wield to turn the tide of battle with these foes. Use the Karakuri to discover weak spots or gain a new attack angle. Some will help you set up defenses against the Kemono’s worst attacks, giving you the opportunity to take them down.

It’s important to know that each Kemono has both strengths and weaknesses that wise hunters will take note of well before the hunt begins. In this article, we will be discussing one of the most powerful and beautiful enemies you will face in Wild Hearts. One with radiant plumage, a deafening roar, and an unquenchable anger that rages with the heat of a furnace.

At The Game Awards today, EA Originals & KOEI TECMO revealed their Ferocious Creatures trailer, offering hunters a closer look at some of the largest Kemono they’ll face in battle

The new trailer showcases three of the most powerful Kemono players will take on, including Deathstalker the savage wolf, Amaterasu the giant hawk, and for the first time Golden Tempest, the ferocious, unforgiving tiger and its tornado of sand and gold. See how they will use the power of nature itself against you and your fellow hunters, and begin to understand how you might defeat them.

The Bird of Auspice is said to have lived for many centuries now…

The majestic Amaterasu has captured the imagination of the people of Azuma for centuries. This winged beast with its fiery plumage is both captivating and terrifying. It draws its power from the life energy around it in combination with its apparently boundless fury. Once sufficiently angered and powered up all hunters should take cover or risk being within range of its explosive attack. Carefully observe the color of this great beast’s plumage if you wish to avoid such an attack. The redder it appears, the closer you are to its most dangerous aspect.

When facing an Amaterasu, you will need to beware of more than just its sharp beak and talons, even its feathers can end your hunt prematurely. Your attacks must focus on bringing it down to the earth by striking its wings or using a harpoon to pin it precisely where you want it. Search for this challenging prey in the direction of the setting sun amongst the grassy plains and desolate, ruined temples of the west. It is most striking at dusk when the autumn leaves and pampas grass swirl around its desolate temples.

Once the hunt is finished the Kemono will also provide you with the materials you need to craft items such as stronger armor. The more you hunt, the more materials you will gather, and the bigger the prey you can face next.

You can choose to hunt alone and savor all the spoils by yourself, or in a pack (with up to two other players) enabling you to expand your battle plans and special missions.

Pre-ordering the Wild Hearts Standard Edition will earn players the Ferocious Kemono Emote and five Chat Stamps: Poker Face, Just Woke Up, Praying, Besties, and Sleepy*. 

In addition, players can now pre-order the Wild Hearts Karakuri edition to receive unique in-game items: two cosmetic armors sets (Karakuri Samurai & Karakuri Ninja), a decorative Tsukumo Lantern, and three different emotes - including the Fighting Spirit, Grovel and Conch. They will also unlock the pre-order bonuses.

Both the Karakuri and Standard editions are available for pre-order today for $89.99 and $69.99 respectively. 

Key Features:

• Hunt Down Giant Nature-Infused Beasts - Kemono are beasts that have undergone a unique evolution by fusing with their environments, and that wield the power of nature to reshape their environment to suit their needs. You will encounter Kemono of all sizes - from plant infused squirrels to the massive Kingtusk wild boar, or the Deathstalker savage wolf and many more creatures. These enormous creatures use the power of nature itself to defend their new territory.
• Prepare Your Fighting Ground - The ancient Karakuri technology enables you to craft and build new, highly flexible and creative hunting grounds to take down giant Kemono. Stock up on materials to build many kinds of karakuri, depending upon your needs, skills, and which kemono you are fighting. Every new Kemono you defeat unveils new Karakuri and new resources to use.
• Pack Hunter or Lone Wolf - Wild Hearts’s co-op and crossplay features allow you and up to two friends to hunt down Kemono together. Pack hunting enables you to expand your battle plans with more building capabilities and special missions. As a lone wolf, you can seamlessly join in and help other hunters in multiplayer mode through the Torri System, or you can take on the giant beasts on your own.
• Gear Up to Hunt, Hunt to Gear Up - You can become the greatest hunter by gathering materials from each hunt and the environment, and craft unique sets of armor with different variations. With unique weapons to choose from, and tons of variations, there’s a combat style for everyone, each with different gameplay pace and attacks. You can craft gear with the material of defeated Kemono, further customizing it to suit your play style.
• Dive Into Fantasy Feudal Japan - Immerse yourself in beautiful environments littered with structures that
  represent everyday village life, faith, and warfare, now swallowed up by nature. Wild Hearts’s four hunting grounds - each representing the different seasons - are brought to life by the game’s AAA visuals, allowing you to take in the beauty of Hanagasumi Hill’s flowery terrain (Spring) , Starfall Island’s waterfall surrounded by the sea (Summer), Scarlet Canyon’s natural landscape covered in fall leaves (Fall) and the split in half Frozen Moon Castle (Winter) – all accessible from the village of Minato.

Wild Hearts is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Origin, Steam and Epic Game Store) on February 17, 2023 at $69.99, with voice overs in English, Japanese, French, Italian, German and Spanish.