Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition

 Switch
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 235 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 235
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 235
  3. Negative: 30 out of 235
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  1. Fjalficjv
    Oct 28, 2018
    2
    There is some fun to be had but overall the game is more frustrating than fun.
  2. hiphoptherobot
    Jun 16, 2018
    4
    This was one of my all time favorite games on the Wii U, but here we are on their 3rd release of the same game and there's still no online co-op. That means for all of those wonderful Adventure mode missions that just absolutely require a 2nd player to complete you're going to have to go over to your friend's house, bring your system, and play them all twice so you both get credit. ItThis was one of my all time favorite games on the Wii U, but here we are on their 3rd release of the same game and there's still no online co-op. That means for all of those wonderful Adventure mode missions that just absolutely require a 2nd player to complete you're going to have to go over to your friend's house, bring your system, and play them all twice so you both get credit. It gets tedious fast. They really doubled down on the missions that require a 2nd player to the extent that it's a bad combination without giving us online co-op. It's a great game, one of the greatest ever made, but once was enough. It's time to stop milking every penny out of their fans and make a proper sequel with online co-op. Add some Breath of the Wild content! This is the best Warriors franchise rendition yet and it struck lightning on the Wii U, but it doesn't strike twice or three times as the case may be.… Expand
  3. chrisx213
    Jun 4, 2020
    0
    The core gameplay is just super weak. Cannon fodder everywhere then tough boss fights that are a little better. Total crap, stay away. I’m surprised Nintendo let this be done to one of their most beloved franchises.
  4. B-Bog
    Jan 21, 2020
    2
    This idea COULD produce a good game in theory, if it was executed better. The core idea has potential, but HW plays like a game from the PS2 era and it also certainly looks the part.

    Just a few points off the top of my head: The map, which you are completely reliant on for navigation, knowing what to do and where to go, is complete dogsh*t. I think I could not make it much worse if I    This idea COULD produce a good game in theory, if it was executed better. The core idea has potential, but HW plays like a game from the PS2 era and it also certainly looks the part.

    Just a few points off the top of my head:

    The map, which you are completely reliant on for navigation, knowing what to do and where to go, is complete dogsh*t. I think I could not make it much worse if I tried. For example: You get paired up with these absolute morons of AI-controlled characters, whose sole job seems to be to get themselves killed as fast as humanly possible. They always end up in a crowd of tough enemies on the opposite end of the map from where you are, do absolutely NOTHING to defend themselves and then beg to be rescued. If you don't get to them in time, you lose the battle and have to start from your latest checkpoint. You would think that such a thing would be important enough to warrant a very noticeable, big, fat, colourful marker on your map, but no. Have fun figuring out which tiny blob or arrow represents the character that desperately needs to be rescued. Oh, and you don't even get to see their health bar, because, clearly, that would be way too convenient! Fun times.

    As an extension of this: The maps are terrible. Just absolutely terrible. Even if you can figure out where you are and where you need to go, the level-design makes it as hard and tedious as possible for you to get there. The battles technically take place in Zelda locations, but they might as well not, because any and all charm and atmosphere that Nintendo lovingly put into these places is absolutely gone.

    Controls and camera are nothing to write home about either, as you would expect from a PS2 game.

    I already addressed the abysmal graphics, but seriously: This was a Wii U game??? It looks even more out of place on the Switch, and yet, judging by the fan noises, it makes the console work like no other game I own. I'm gonna take a wild guess, taking into account the rest of the game, and chalk that up to poor and lazy programming.

    The music consists of awful, frantic remixes of classic Zelda tunes, that are probably supposed to pump you up for battle, but ended up severely annoying and aggravating me. If you play through supposedly "epic" battles that last half an hour, how about some dynamic music that actually reflects the changing situation on the battlefield? Again, no such luck.

    The story is a very weird affair overall (and not in a good way), because they wanted to include characters and areas from pretty much every 3D Zelda game up until Skyward Sword. They even introduce some new characters of their own, who all remain extremely one-dimensional and honestly look pretty clichéd and out-of-place in the Zelda universe. The story presentation is also really awkward. The game features FMV cutscenes, but without any voice-over. Instead, the characters just make these weird Anime groans and moans for maybe one second, after which their mouth keeps moving in silence to represent the dialogue in the textbox. You do get some disembodied voice-overs from an unknown lady over still images between missions to progress the plot, though. Hooray.

    Another thing that bugs me is how often the game takes control away from you in the middle of the action. You might be executing a big combo or special move while fighting a bigger enemy, when JUMPCUT! "Here's what you need to do next!!" Oh thanks Hyrule Warriors, now I get to relocate myself and the enemy, because your targeting system is also absolute trash!

    Overall, the entire game just seems lazily put together and not thought-out at all. The Warriors series apparently hasn't evolved one bit since the PS2/Gamecube era. Just slap a Zelda coat of paint on it, call it a day, and start counting your money. I think that's a shame, because in my opinion the idea of a Zelda Hack'n'Slash game actually has a lot of potential, which, sadly, has been totally squandered here with the extremely out-dated game design and horrible presentation. I feel really, really dumb for buying this at (almost) full price just because I'm a huge Zelda fan.    … Expand
  5. JasonMC
    Jun 24, 2018
    3
    This is a very shallow game. A boring button masher, grindfest. Worthless and pointless. With so many amazing gaming experiences to be had, why waste your time playing this or any Warriors style game for that matter? It's baffling to me.
  6. HaseoArmahem
    Jul 31, 2019
    2
    First of all - if you already played any Musou game from Omega Force - this is absolutely the same, just reskin any previous part. And this game is not "Zelda" as we all know - it is just try to milk on it, nothing more, one button game with greending copy-paste elements, same maps, story like "Go and kill, because you are the player"
    If you never played on such game - you can try, maybe    First of all - if you already played any Musou game from Omega Force - this is absolutely the same, just reskin any previous part. And this game is not "Zelda" as we all know - it is just try to milk on it, nothing more, one button game with greending copy-paste elements, same maps, story like "Go and kill, because you are the player"
    If you never played on such game - you can try, maybe it can be even fun.    … Expand
  7. CzarSquid
    Feb 20, 2022
    0
    About as much fun as kicking an ant hill. The enemies can do nothing but stare as you slaughter their kin
  8. Ty_Tyler
    Jul 13, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. by all means, it's not a bad game but you might be asking "then why did you give this a 7 instead of a 10?" it's because of the post-story content. after you beat the game adventure mode is fun for a few hours because all the maps feel the same even though they have their gimmicks for their respective game. it's just very bland. also, the fun unlockables for the game (ie. the new weapons and costumes for characters) are all locked behind endlessly grinding the adventure mode. but if you're okay spending the $50 that I did for this game there are about 20 hours of enjoyable playtime for you, that is my only real complaint. all of the characters are great and the Zelda fan service is undeniably amazing for any Zelda fan… Expand
  9. iPeekAFchu
    Jul 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have miss a multiplater local Coop and this bring back memorise plagyin with with a friend.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
24
#24 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 59
  3. Negative: 1 out of 59
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 5, 2018
    75
    It might be a little rough around the edges, but it's a glorious Zelda nostalgia trip with some fun action. [Issue #34 – July/August 2018, p. 75]
  2. RPG Fan
    Aug 16, 2018
    77
    Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition shows its age when compared to recent Warriors games, but for Zelda fans, there is no better way to experience a Zelda crossover with your favourite characters.
    Read full review
  3. My Nintendo News
    Jul 15, 2018
    70
    If the aforementioned nuisances such as mute characters are a turnoff in your eyes, you might want to consider spending your Rupees toward the more original Fire Emblem Warriors instead.
    Read full review
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