Wild Hearts vs Monster Hunter Rise

For a long time running, Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise bore the mantle of delivering enthralling, high-octane action with their fine lineup of the fantasy-themed series. But now, we have a new kid on the block, and it seems Wild Hearts may be taking the top spot after all. Monster Hunter games are a beloved franchise, with multiple games attempting to reinvent the wheel under their premise. While some games may tweak the gameplay, the foundation remains the same; you must slay the monsters to win. 

However, Wild Hearts introduces an interesting new twist to the slaying franchise. Frankly speaking, this new addition might actually give the Monster Hunter franchise a run for its money. That aside, now that you are here, it's best to use facts to deduce which is better. Is it Monster Hunter Rise for its Wirebug system or Wild Hearts for its Karakuri system? Let's find out below.

What is Wild Hearts?

Wild Hearts is an action RPG by Omega Force set in a feudal Japan-inspired world known as Azuma. The game was released on PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S platforms in February 2023. Players take on the role of a skilled hunter, tracking down massive supernatural beasts known as Kemono. The Kemonos are an awful lot, causing havoc and enormous wrecks wherever they're present. To restore tranquility to the city of Minator, a nameless hunter must arise and heed the task.

The world of Azuma is not an open world. However, it consists of vast areas with unique landmarks and features, as seen in Monster Hunter Rise. Moreover, players get access to eight different weapons and can craft items for use in combat using the Karakuri technique. The Karakuri is the first of its kind to feature in a monster hunter franchise. It adds a touch of thrill to combat, breaking away from the monotony of slack and hack.

What is Monster Hunter Rise?

Monster Hunter Rise is a role-playing action game by Capcom. The game is the sixth title in the Monster Hunter franchise that continues the narrative of monster slaying while adding a few elements and features. The game was initially released on the Nintendo Switch in March 2021 and later ported to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms in January 2023. 

Like in previous games in the series, the player assumes the role of a Hunter on a quest to capture and slay the colossal beasts. Players can use weapons, tools, and even the environment to inflict damage on the abominable beasts. Some weapons are crafted from loot received after a successful takedown of the beasts. The haul typically includes monster parts, which are a solid foundation for crafting weapons against the invincible beasts. This represents the game's core loop.

Moreover, Monster Hunter Rise adds a new technique that enhances the player's mobility across the zoned map. The Wirebug, a replica of the Clutch Caw in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, lets the player perform grappling activities from great distances and has other perks. 

What are the Main Differences Between Wild Hearts and Monster Hunter Rise?

Right off the bat, Wild Hearts and Monster Hunter Rise are vastly different games catering to diverse audiences. For starters, Wild Hearts features a more fluid and fast-paced gameplay compared to its counterpart. Monster Hunter Rise's action adventure may seem tedious owing to its relatively slow gameplay. So if you prefer breakneck action, Wild Hearts is a better choice.

Aside from that, the two games have other striking differences, as detailed below:

Stylized Techniques

As mentioned earlier, the two games feature new techniques that ideally transform the Monster Hunter experience. Wild Heart's Karakuri building technique allows players to craft items using Karakuri threads. You can source the threads from monsters you slay or from the environment. Players can leverage the crafted items during battle for a superior advantage. For instance, crafting a torch may set a Kemono ablaze. 

On the other hand, players of Monster Hunter Rise will relish the Wirebug technique. Aside from helping you cover more ground quickly, the Wirebug interacts with different weapons, adding a touch of unique combos and attacks. What's more, the Wirebugs also help players mount fallen Kemonos, inflicting more damage in the process. 

Hearty Companions

What's a battle without a loyal aide? In Wild Hearts, players can befriend Tsukumos, which are tiny Karakuri you'll encounter. The Tsukumo prove their worth in immeasurable ways. For starters, they can lend a hand in attacking a Kemono. Alternatively, you can use them as bait to launch a surprise attack on the monsters. Moreover, the small companions can heal you and provide additional Karakuri threads.

In Monster Hunters Rise, players are introduced to the Palicoes and Palamutes. The former is a long-running sidekick in the franchise, while the latter is a new addition that players can use for faster traversal. 

Engaging Content

Although Wild Hearts has an interesting tale that spruces up its gameplay, its range of content doesn't match up to Monster Hunter Rise. This, of course, is due to the game being relatively new, while Monster Hunter Rise has had close to two years since its debut—plenty of time to release an expansion. 

However, we anticipate fresh material from Omega Force soon, with the speculation that the expansion will be free. Until then, Monster Hunter Rise takes the lead on this one. 

Co-op Gameplay

Wild Hearts allows a maximum of three players to engage in co-op gameplay. While this may be limiting for some players, developers were of the view that adding more players would make combat less challenging. 

On the other hand, Monster Hunter Rise allows a maximum party size of four players in multiplayer mode. 

Wild Hearts vs Monster Hunter Rise: Which is Better?

This is a tough nut to crack, given that Wild Hearts is a new IP and Monster Hunter Rise is part of a series continuation. Notwithstanding, Wild Hearts ignites a fresh perspective on monster hunting with its Karakuri technique. In contrast, Monster Hunter Rise spices things up with the Wirebug. 

It all boils down to what you are looking for. If you're looking for a game with more content and room for more players, then Monster Hunter Rise is for you. Alternatively, if you're seeking a fresh monster-slaying adventure, look no further than Wild Hearts.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our Wild Hearts vs Monster Hunter Rise verdict? Which of the two games do you prefer? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.