Koei/Tecmo
Wild Hearts: every Kemono and how to beat them
We take a look at every giant Kemono in Wild Hearts, EA’s new monster hunting title, and we’ll tell you how to come out victorious when you encounter them in the field.
Ragetail
A dangerous beast that indiscriminately attacks other smaller Kemono and humans. Also known as Hanayadoshi, she tends to ignore everything else when chasing a meal, though if you anger her she will give up the chase and attack. Wait for such attacks, take evasive action, and counterattack in the short time given. When angry, the Kemono's tail swells up and increases its range and power, so it's wise to cut it off earlier.
Sporetail
The Sporetail maintains a fungus on its body, giving rise to the mushroom-shaped tail that has earned it its name. They are believed to live in large colonies with their young, which are known as sporetail pups. When their territory is threatened, the beasts can coordinate their attacks against intruders far more effectively than any other rodent, an ability some attribute to a special fungus-like communication network between fungi and plants.
Sapscourge
The Kohakunushi, or Sapscourge, secretes pollen and sap from its skin, and when it sneezes it can coat its prey in sticky sap. If this happens, back off; pollen can knock you out and sap will slow you down. If you cut off its tail, you will greatly reduce the attack range of the beast.
Kingtusk
This giant boar has developed multiple eyes that open in an instant, sending menacing glares in all directions. Its proboscis-shaped teeth can tear through almost anything. He does have numerous weak spots though, so if you can, hang on to him and use your weapon to wear him down. Use Karakuri to deal with certain attacks, such as Barrier when it charges and Spring when it shakes the ground.
Icetusk
A quick glance might give the impression that this Kemono is a close cousin of the Kingtusk. But closer inspection of its physique, strongly adapted to extreme cold, reveals a very different beast. The breath of the Shiro'ugachi, or Icetusk, turns the ground to permafrost, devouring every last morsel of heat. And the environment he creates as he expands his territory is even harsher than the one he so successfully inhabits, a fact that epitomizes the Kemono threat.
Spineglider
Flying Kemono that generates rocks from a liquid it secretes. It fiercely protects its territory and pounces on everything it perceives as a threat. The Spineglider will create footholds so it can pounce and attack. Destroy these support points to unbalance him. Its tail swells when it gets angry, making it weak and vulnerable to attacks.
Venomglider
The Higanbashiri, or Venomglider, is a poisonous cousin of the Spineglider whose body is adorned with what appear to be spider lilies. Like its relative, it has the ability to create rocks from liquid secretions, but it also possesses the ability to poison its prey. This dichotomy of primal behaviors makes the beast a rare example among the kemono.
Lavaback
The Lavaback, or Jigokuzaru, is cunning, taking advantage of its volcanic body to launch molten rock into the air over a wide area. It mixes long and short range attacks, but there are warning signs of where it's about to erupt, so be careful and be prepared to dodge. Try to bolster your elemental resistance by casting an elemental buff.
Cobalt Lavaback
Just as there are eccentrics among humans, there are also eccentrics in the Kemono world. And there can be no better example than the Jōdozaru, or Cobalt Lavaback. Despite being covered in boiling magma, the beast chooses to inhabit arctic territories, apparently delighting in melting snow and ice to create scorching hot springs in which it likes to soak. The hell of the humans is perhaps the paradise of the kemono.
Fumebeak
The Kuromatoi, or Fumebeak, is a shadowy bird that bathes its prey in a toxic miasma and is cunning enough to single out and attack the weak. However, it appears that it is not immune to its own noxious emissions, and at times appears to writhe and convulse in pain. Many Kemono conquer their environment by learning to harness the power of nature, but in this case it seems that nature still has the upper hand.
Pearlbeak
Among zoologists there is a belief that diet greatly influences the development of young Kemono. Although the Shiromatoi, Pearlbeak, appear identical to the Fumebeak when hatched, the two mature very differently: those that feed on carrion become black Fumebeaks, and those that feed primarily on shellfish become white Pearlbeaks. The latter's brilliant plumage is perhaps the product of his coastal upbringing.
Dreadclaw
Roosters are known for their crowing at dawn, but this Kemono cousin has a croak so shrill it makes the leaves on the trees tremble. In fact, the cry of the hot-headed himetosaka, or Dreadclaw, crosses hills and valleys, to be heard by the inhabitants of distant villages. Even at that distance, the roar can destroy old farmhouses, reason enough to want to hunt the beast.
Ripclaw
As mating season approaches, a portion of the Dreadclaw population, made up entirely of males, morphs into females and migrates to colder climates to lay eggs. These oviparous females are known as Onitosaka or Ripclaw. In addition to their normal eggs, they also lay fake eggs filled with a sleepy smoke to catch unsuspecting egg thieves off guard. By falling into this cunning trap, the hunter quickly becomes the hunted.
Gritdog
The Sunatsuzumi, or Gritdog, is fitted with naturally magnetic abilities, through which it controls complex magnetic fields to manipulate iron sand into curious shapes that are dotted throughout its territory. These haunting structures, almost similar to those of Karakuri, give a chilling idea of the intelligence of the beast.
Goldshard
Although its body is covered in hard, protective spines, when the beast discovers its prey it ejects them to incapacitate its target, sometimes leaving it vulnerable. Take cover behind Karakuri to avoid the projectiles and attack whenever the Kemono stops to regrow its spines.
Onyxshard
A beast with an especially strong connection to the earth through heavenly thread. The Ishibari, or Onyxshard, can summon rocks from the ground, causing the earth to tremble at its power. In some parts, it is even rumored that he is revered as an incarnation of the kami of the land. But it's not just about the land; the sight of its enormous mass crossing the desert would also make any human tremble.
Earthbreaker
A fabled Kemono, said to be able to rend the earth and swallow entire mountains. With a thick outer skin, normal attacks have no impact on this massive bear. It is key to identify the weak points in the arms and work to incapacitate the beast. When enraged, it exposes another weak point around the head.
Deathstalker
This Kemono can conjure gigantic chunks of ice that mark out its territory. When necessary, they hunt in packs, taking down their prey with terrifying speed. Keep an eye on the beast. When angry, his speed and attack range are increased. In addition, he controls arctic air currents to cloak himself in icy armor. That armor is easier to destroy than other parts of the Kemono, so you have to attack it preemptively.
Amaterasu
This bird has been revered as a kami of the heavens since time immemorial. He absorbs celestial threads from his surroundings, filling his body with power and rage. During this time you have a chance to attack. Although his attacks are especially brutal when enraged, his wings are more vulnerable. A Karakuri harpoon is also effective in hindering the bird's movements.
Emberplume
The Shiranui, or Emberplume, is a legendary kemono born from fire and fueled by flame. It is said to have come from a volcanic habitat in the west, where it burned everything around it. Some claim that its flames purge evil and glorify the bird as a paragon of exorcism, while others claim that it is a harbinger of destruction that will turn fields to flame, livestock to ashes, and homes to dust.
Golden Tempest
This beast is the embodiment of wind. Don't be scared by the way the Golden Tempest goes from torpor to lightning speed. Take cover behind obstacles and be careful when enraging the beast, because then the wind it summons rages stronger and its attacks become more ferocious. Try using a celestial cannon to shoot from a distance.