Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best gaming gadgets
  • New Games 2026
  • Arc Raiders
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Action Games
  3. Wild Hearts

Wild Hearts has smaller player groups than Monster Hunter for a good reason

News
By Hirun Cryer last updated 4 October 2022

It's all to do with those powerful traps and gadgets

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Wild Hearts
(Image credit: EA)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Wild Hearts allows a maximum of three players to join together in co-op hunts, unlike Monster Hunter's parties of four.

In a new interview with IGN, Koei Tecmo co-director Takuto Edagawa explained the reasoning behind the cap in Wild Hearts. Apparently, giving players constructive devices called Karakuri means groups of four players would simply be too powerful, and a bit chaotic.

"Originally, we considered having four players for cooperative play," Edagawa said. "However, during development, we realized that due to the power of the Karakuri, three player combat provides the best balance for maintaining a sense of tension and cooperative combat," the co-director continued.

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • The player raises their fist as it glows blue in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection 10 best Monster Hunter games of all-time, ranked
  • Horizon hunters fighting a robot dinosaur PlayStation's own co-op monster game Horizon Hunters Gathering gets second playtest
  • Ghost of Yotei Legends How to start Ghost of Yotei Legends online co-op

If you're unfamiliar with the term, Karakuri were introduced in the debut trailer for Wild Hearts that arrived earlier today on September 28. The devices come in many forms, allowing players to quickly build towers to escape attacks, hammers to crush monsters, or even bombs to lure enemies into.

It's easy to see why these destructive devices could've proved a bit much when letting four players loose against one monster. Finally, Edagawa said that it's simply easier to get three online players together for a game, which factored into Wild Hearts capping out at three players joining together.

This player cap is notable because it's lower than rival Monster Hunter's player parties of four, but as Edagawa points out, it's the Karakuri that factored into the decision, something that Capcom's series doesn't really have. 

Today's new trailer also revealed a release date of February 17, 2023 for Wild Hearts. The new game, which is actually a collaboration between EA, Koei Tecmo, and developer Omega Force set in feudal Japan, is only launching across PC and new-gen consoles, becoming one of the rare EA-published games to be new-gen exclusive.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Read up on our new games 2022 guide for a list of all the titles you can expect to play between now and Wild Hearts launching.

CATEGORIES
Xbox One PS4 Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
The player raises their fist as it glows blue in Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Action RPGs 10 best Monster Hunter games of all-time, ranked
 
 
Horizon hunters fighting a robot dinosaur
Co-op Games PlayStation's own co-op monster game Horizon Hunters Gathering gets second playtest
 
 
Ghost of Yotei Legends
Open World Games How to start Ghost of Yotei Legends online co-op
 
 
Ghost of Yotei Legends
Open World Games "Mark my words. You cannot win without 4 players," Ghost of Yotei multiplayer lead warns of Legends' "hardcore content"
 
 
Horizon Hunters Gathering screenshot showing the team of hunters assembling together
Co-op Games Horizon Hunters Gathering: Everything you need to know about Guerrilla's new co-op action game
 
 
Monster Hunter Stories 3 FGS
Games New Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection gameplay shows as much monster conservation as there is carving
 
 
Latest in Action Games
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto Rockstar's supposed GTA 6 pre-order evidence is actually years old
 
 
GTA 6 Cal Hampton in a pool on a pink flamingo float
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 price listed as $115 via retailer amid pre-order rumors, fans pray it's a "placeholder"
 
 
Best Assassin's Creed protagonists: close-up of Arno Dorian during Assassin's Creed Unity.
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Unity's city stealth should have been the series' future
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 pre-orders: everything we know so far as new leaks point to imminent listings
 
 
Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed Former Assassin's Creed Hexe lead says no one at Ubisoft lost their job to AI while he was there
 
 
Devil May Cry Devil May Cry and Resident Evil remakes on Switch 2 rumors appear more convincing than we thought
 
 
Latest in News
GTA 6
Games Sony is testing a tiny PS5 version of Steam charts, and I can't wait to see the GTA 6 numbers
 
 
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in The Punisher: One Last Kill
Marvel TV Shows Luke Cage creator says there's one "problem" with The Punisher: One Last Kill, and I agree
 
 
A Twi'lek woman in Star Wars the Old Republic, which is one of the playable races in the MMORPG
MMO Games Star Wars: The Old Republic lead said "I hate massive multiplayer games" before running the MMO
 
 
Cherry blossoms swirl around a silver car that drives towards Mt Fuji in Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon Forza Horizon 6 won't let you destroy cherry blossom trees because they're too important to Japan
 
 
Ralof sitting in a prisoner wagon chatting to the Dragonborn during the opening of Skyrim.
Fallout Skyrim becomes playable in Fallout 4 thanks to one genius RPG modder who "beat" Todd Howard to it
 
 
A Subnautica 2 player comes across another player in front of a yellow door
Survival Games Subnautica 2 devs promise sprint, voice chat, and player trading and more in early access roadmap
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in The Punisher: One Last Kill
    1
    Luke Cage creator says there's one "problem" with The Punisher: One Last Kill, and I agree
  2. 2
    Sony is testing a tiny PS5 version of Steam charts, and I can't wait to see the GTA 6 numbers
  3. 3
    How to find all Forza Horizon 6 Barn Finds
  4. 4
    Subnautica 2 roadmap details
  5. 5
    Star Wars: The Old Republic lead said "I hate massive multiplayer games" before running the MMO

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...