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- Best overall: Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch
- Best budget: Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5
- Best premium: Capcom Dragon's Dogma 2 – PlayStation 5
- Best for co-op hunts: Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5
- Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is the pick for solo fantasy action and Nintendo Switch play.
- Wild Hearts is the better fit for crafting, monster hunts, and co-op with up to 3 players.
- Dragon's Dogma 2 offers a newer, bigger take on the series for PS5 players.
- Compare platform, player count, and included content before choosing a Black Friday 2026 game.
- The 7 picks cover solo adventures, monster hunting, and open-world action RPGs.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen and Wild Hearts offer very different action RPG adventures: one centers on a solo fantasy journey, while the other turns giant-monster hunts into a co-op craft-and-fight loop. For Black Friday 2026, the right pick comes down to your platform, preferred pace, and whether you want to play alone or with friends.
I researched and compared specs, reviews, and owner feedback to build this guide around those two games and five strong alternatives. Here's the bottom line: choose Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen for a focused solo campaign, and choose Wild Hearts for up to 3-player hunts. The picks below make it easier to compare editions, platforms, and play styles without getting lost in storefront details.
How We Picked
- Compared core gameplay loops, including solo exploration, party combat, crafting, and monster hunts.
- Checked platform availability and player-count information for the specific edition listed.
- Prioritized games with clear differences from Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen and Wild Hearts.
- Considered owner feedback and review themes around combat, exploration, replay value, and performance.
- Selected products with identifiable editions and useful Black Friday 2026 comparison points.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Platform | Players | Core appeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch | Portable solo fantasy | Nintendo Switch | 1 | Pawn party combat |
| Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5 | Co-op monster hunts | PlayStation 5 | 1-3 online | Karakuri crafting |
| Capcom Dragon's Dogma 2 – PlayStation 5 | A larger series adventure | PlayStation 5 | 1 | 4-character party |
| Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5 | Gear-driven co-op hunts | PlayStation 5 | 1-4 online | Changing environments |
| Bandai Namco Elden Ring – PlayStation 5 | Challenging exploration | PlayStation 5 | 1 solo | Open-world combat |
| Sony Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition – PlayStation 5 | Story-led exploration | PlayStation 5 | 1 | Base game plus expansion |
| Square Enix Final Fantasy XVI – PlayStation 5 | Cinematic solo action | PlayStation 5 | 1 | Real-time combat |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch
The Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch is the best portable solo fantasy RPG for players who want a party-based adventure, with 1-player campaign play. The Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch's pawn system and large monsters give its battles a distinct, tactical feel.
Best for: Portable solo fantasy action
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Players
- 1
- Rating
- Mature 17+
- Combines a long fantasy quest with flexible character builds.
- Pawn companions add party tactics to solo play.
- Portable format suits short or extended sessions.
- No co-op multiplayer.
Is Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch is a strong buy for solo players who want a portable fantasy adventure, distinctive pawn companions, and large-scale monster battles. The campaign is built for 1 player rather than online co-op.
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#2
Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5
The Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5 is the best co-op monster-hunting pick for players who want to craft tools during combat, with online hunts for up to 3 players. The Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5's Karakuri construction system helps set it apart from conventional hunt-and-upgrade games.
Best for: Co-op monster hunting
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1-3 online
- Rating
- Mature 17+
- Karakuri tools change how players approach each hunt.
- Supports cooperative hunts with up to 3 players.
- Large kemono encounters create a strong action focus.
- Solo progression feels less social than group hunts.
Is Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5 is worth considering for players who enjoy coordinated monster hunts and building useful structures mid-fight. The game supports up to 3 online players, making it the clear multiplayer choice against the solo-focused Dark Arisen.
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#3
Capcom Dragon's Dogma 2 – PlayStation 5
The Capcom Dragon's Dogma 2 – PlayStation 5 is the best premium series upgrade for players who want a broad fantasy world, with a 4-character adventuring party. The Capcom Dragon's Dogma 2 – PlayStation 5's expanded setting and vocation options build on the original game's pawn-led combat.
Best for: A larger Dragon's Dogma adventure
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1
- Party size
- 4 characters
- Builds on the series' pawn companion system.
- Offers a large fantasy world to explore.
- Multiple vocations support varied combat styles.
- Single-player only.
Is Capcom Dragon's Dogma 2 – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Capcom Dragon's Dogma 2 – PlayStation 5 is a good pick for players who want a bigger, more current series adventure and a 4-character party. Choose it over Dark Arisen for a broader world, or choose the original for portable play.
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#4
Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5
The Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5 is the best modern hunt-focused alternative for players who want large creatures and cooperative combat, with hunts for up to 4 players. The Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5's changing environments add another layer to tracking and preparation.
Best for: Co-op hunts in changing environments
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1-4 online
- Rating
- Teen
- Supports hunts with up to 4 players.
- Emphasizes gear preparation and weapon mastery.
- Dynamic environments bring variety to expeditions.
- The hunt-and-equipment loop takes commitment.
Is Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5 suits players who want repeatable creature hunts, weapon progression, and online groups of up to 4. Pick Wild Hearts for mid-hunt construction or Monster Hunter Wilds for a gear-driven hunting rhythm.
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#5
Bandai Namco Elden Ring – PlayStation 5
The Bandai Namco Elden Ring – PlayStation 5 is the best pick for players who want challenging exploration and flexible builds, with 1 main playable character in its solo adventure. The Bandai Namco Elden Ring – PlayStation 5's open world rewards curiosity and careful combat more than guided questing.
Best for: Challenging open-world exploration
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1 solo
- Rating
- Mature 17+
- Open-world exploration gives players room to set their own route.
- A broad range of weapons and builds supports experimentation.
- Boss encounters offer a demanding combat challenge.
- Difficulty and limited direction are not for every player.
Is Bandai Namco Elden Ring – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Bandai Namco Elden Ring – PlayStation 5 is a strong choice for players who enjoy difficult fights, exploration, and build experimentation. The solo adventure suits self-directed play, while its challenge level makes it a different experience from Wild Hearts' co-op hunts.
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#6
Sony Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition – PlayStation 5
The Sony Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition – PlayStation 5 is the best story-led open-world pick for players who want exploration and ranged combat, with 1-player campaign play. The Complete Edition includes the Burning Shores expansion alongside the main adventure.
Best for: A story-led open-world adventure
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1
- Edition content
- Base game plus 1 expansion
- Complete Edition bundles the main adventure and Burning Shores.
- Combat mixes ranged weapons, stealth, and machine strategy.
- Exploration and story carry the experience.
- Single-player only.
Is Sony Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Sony Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition – PlayStation 5 is a worthwhile pick for solo players who value story, exploration, and tactical ranged combat. The edition includes the main game and Burning Shores, so buyers get 2 substantial parts of the adventure.
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#7
Square Enix Final Fantasy XVI – PlayStation 5
The Square Enix Final Fantasy XVI – PlayStation 5 is the best cinematic action RPG for players who want a focused fantasy story, with 1-player campaign play. The Square Enix Final Fantasy XVI – PlayStation 5's real-time combat and large-scale Eikon battles favor spectacle over co-op hunting.
Best for: Cinematic solo fantasy action
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1
- Rating
- Mature 17+
- Story-led structure gives the adventure clear momentum.
- Real-time combat delivers a different pace from Dark Arisen.
- Eikon battles add large-scale spectacle.
- No co-op mode.
Is Square Enix Final Fantasy XVI – PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Square Enix Final Fantasy XVI – PlayStation 5 is a solid choice for players who want a cinematic, single-player fantasy campaign. Choose it for story and real-time spectacle; choose Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen for party tactics and open-ended character growth.
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Which is better: Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen or Wild Hearts?
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is the stronger pick for 1-player fantasy exploration, while Wild Hearts is the better choice for hunts with up to 3 online players. The games share dramatic monster fights, but their moment-to-moment play is different.
Dark Arisen builds its adventure around a custom hero, pawn companions, and flexible vocations. Players who enjoy a solo campaign with party tactics get the clearest match here. Wild Hearts focuses on hunting kemono, gathering materials, and using Karakuri devices to shape each encounter. The co-op setup is a major draw for friends who want a shared goal.
Worth it for most players. Choose Dark Arisen for solo play and portable Nintendo Switch access; choose Wild Hearts for cooperative hunts and combat construction.
What makes Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen different from Wild Hearts?
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a solo action RPG with a 4-character party, while Wild Hearts supports up to 3 online hunters. The different player counts point to their biggest design split: companion-led adventure versus team-based monster hunting.
Dark Arisen lets players recruit AI-controlled pawns and customize their own character's vocation. Its world encourages exploration between major encounters, and combat rewards adapting to enemy size and behavior. Wild Hearts gives players tools to build structures during combat, then uses hunts and gathered materials to move gear progression forward.
Pick Dark Arisen when you want one long fantasy quest and control over a party. Pick Wild Hearts when teamwork and repeatable hunts sound more appealing. Neither game is a direct substitute for the other, so play style matters more than a shared monster-fighting theme.
Which game should I buy for Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5?
Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch is the only Nintendo Switch pick in this guide, while 6 listed games are PlayStation 5 editions. Check the platform before adding a game to a Black Friday 2026 shortlist.
Dark Arisen fits portable play and a solo campaign. Wild Hearts, Dragon's Dogma 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, and Final Fantasy XVI are PlayStation 5 options. The PS5 picks cover co-op hunting, single-player fantasy, story-led exploration, and challenging open-world combat.
Confirm that the edition matches your console and that any desired expansion is included. Console compatibility, disc or digital format, and online multiplayer requirements are practical details to check on the product listing before purchase.
Is Wild Hearts a good alternative to Monster Hunter Wilds?
Wild Hearts supports up to 3 online players, while Monster Hunter Wilds supports up to 4, making both strong choices for cooperative hunting. Their combat systems offer the key distinction for players choosing between them.
Wild Hearts makes Karakuri construction central to combat. Buildable tools can alter how a hunt unfolds, so the game suits players who like to improvise with their surroundings. Monster Hunter Wilds emphasizes hunting preparation, weapon mastery, and adapting to changing environments. The series' equipment loop is a natural fit for players who enjoy refining a preferred weapon.
Choose Wild Hearts for construction-focused fights and groups of up to 3. Choose Monster Hunter Wilds for hunts with up to 4 players and a gear-centered progression loop. Both sit closer to each other than either sits to Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen.
How should I shop for these games on Black Friday 2026?
Compare the exact game edition, platform, player count, and included content across all 7 picks before buying on Black Friday 2026. Those four checks prevent the most common mismatch: choosing a familiar title in the wrong format or edition.
Start with your play style. Solo players can shortlist Dark Arisen, Dragon's Dogma 2, Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, or Final Fantasy XVI. Co-op hunters can focus on Wild Hearts or Monster Hunter Wilds. Then confirm the game works on your console and check whether the listing includes any expansion content you want.
Read the current product details and seller information at checkout. Owners' feedback can also help clarify install requirements, online features, and edition contents. A clear fit for your gaming habits is more useful than a longer wishlist.
Buying Guide
Choose solo or co-op first
Pick a 1-player adventure if you want a campaign built around your own pace. Dark Arisen, Dragon's Dogma 2, Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, and Final Fantasy XVI focus on solo play. Wild Hearts supports up to 3 online hunters; Monster Hunter Wilds supports up to 4.
Match the platform to your console
Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch is the portable option here. The other 6 picks are PlayStation 5 editions. Check your console model and the listing's format before checkout, especially when choosing between a physical copy and a digital edition.
Compare the combat loop
Dark Arisen combines vocation-based combat with pawn companions. Wild Hearts adds Karakuri construction to monster hunts. Monster Hunter Wilds emphasizes hunting gear and preparation, while Elden Ring favors challenging exploration. Choose the loop you want to return to, not only the setting.
Check the complete edition contents
Sony Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition – PlayStation 5 includes the base game and Burning Shores expansion. Confirm included content on any other edition you consider, and check whether a listing has the full title and platform you intend to buy.
Use Black Friday 2026 to compare the whole shortlist
Compare product pages, edition details, seller information, and owner feedback together. A game is a better match when its platform, player count, and combat style line up with how you actually play. Keep two or three suitable picks on your list.
FAQ
Which is better, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen or Wild Hearts?
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is better for a 1-player fantasy campaign with pawn companions. Wild Hearts is better for cooperative monster hunts with up to 3 online players. Choose Dark Arisen for solo exploration and Wild Hearts for crafting tools during team fights.
Is Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen single-player?
Yes. Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch is a 1-player adventure. Its pawn companions add party tactics, but they are not a substitute for online co-op with friends. Players who want shared hunts should look at Wild Hearts or Monster Hunter Wilds.
How many players can play Wild Hearts together?
Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5 supports online hunts for up to 3 players. The co-op format suits friends who want to take on kemono together and use Karakuri devices during combat. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, by comparison, is built for 1 player.
Is Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen available on Nintendo Switch?
Yes. Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen – Nintendo Switch is the Nintendo Switch option in this guide. The portable format pairs well with its 1-player campaign. Check the product listing to confirm the exact edition and format before buying.
Which game is best for co-op monster hunting?
Capcom Monster Hunter Wilds – PlayStation 5 is the best fit for groups who want hunts with up to 4 players. Electronic Arts Wild Hearts – PlayStation 5 is a strong alternative for up to 3 players and construction-based combat. Compare each game's hunting loop before choosing.
What should I check before buying a game on Black Friday 2026?
Check the platform, edition, player count, and included content for every game on your shortlist. Confirm that the product matches your console, then review seller and owner information. For example, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition includes the main game and Burning Shores expansion.