The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

 Switch
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20981 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17,830 out of 20981
  2. Mixed: 1,176 out of 20981
  3. Negative: 1,975 out of 20981
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  1. amicus20
    Aug 13, 2023
    10
    Undoubtedly the best game on the Nintendo Switch (haven't played Tears of the Kingdom yet). The level of exploration, puzzles, and story telling is fantastic. I think this is a game both life long Zelda fans and newcomers to the series will love.
  2. Emilio200
    Aug 17, 2023
    10
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  3. Quez33
    Aug 19, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Es el mejor mundo abierto que e jugado jamás todo te llama la atención y el apartado gráfico es simplemente sublime a pesar de las limitaciones de la switch. los enemigos son sensacionales y la historia no deja a nadie con mal sabor de boca… Expand
  4. MasterTiger4
    Aug 21, 2023
    10
    Need I say more?
    This is a must own game for the Switch and the launch title that propelled the Switch to a must buy system with over 100 million sold consoles.
  5. Massraider
    Aug 22, 2023
    10
    This is a legend on the Nintendo Switch! Without any doubt, I put this game in the first place! Everything is fine in it!
  6. Lukart59
    Aug 30, 2023
    10
    The best game I have ever played, I love it so much. It will never get old and deserved its game of the year. The mechanics, the combat, the puzzles, this game is simply perfection.
  7. KillianZane
    Sep 7, 2023
    10
    The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a masterclass in open-world game design, earning a perfect 10/10 without question. It flawlessly blends exploration, adventure, and storytelling, creating a vast, breathtaking world that's both immersive and enchanting. The game's freedom to tackle challenges in any order, combined with its ingenious physics-based puzzles and inventive mechanics,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a masterclass in open-world game design, earning a perfect 10/10 without question. It flawlessly blends exploration, adventure, and storytelling, creating a vast, breathtaking world that's both immersive and enchanting. The game's freedom to tackle challenges in any order, combined with its ingenious physics-based puzzles and inventive mechanics, keeps players engaged for hours on end. Link's journey through Hyrule is a timeless masterpiece that sets the bar high for open-world gaming, making it an essential experience for every gamer.… Expand
  8. Vagrantglass
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Switch

    Gameplay: 10
    Story: 5
    Sound: 8
    Music: 7
    Graphics: 6

    Overall: 10/10 ✨✨

    That's not a typo, the sense of exploration, the rewarding nature of the game and how fun the systems are it's extremely hard not to recommend the game. Play it!
  9. DoomQuakeDuke
    Sep 11, 2023
    10
    All the chapters of The Legend of Zelda have stories and music worthy of Oscar awards, but this first open-world of its kind was truly revolutionary. Only those who love video games can admire the magnificence of this undisputed masterpiece. You could spend days and days exploring the fantastic world of Hyrule. ITALIAN USER
    All the chapters of The Legend of Zelda feature stories and music    All the chapters of The Legend of Zelda have stories and music worthy of Oscar awards, but this first open-world of its kind was truly revolutionary. Only those who love video games can admire the magnificence of this undisputed masterpiece. You could spend days and days exploring the fantastic world of Hyrule. ITALIAN USER
    All the chapters of The Legend of Zelda feature stories and music deserving of Oscar awards, but this first open-world of its kind was something groundbreaking. Only those who love video games can appreciate the magnificence of this undisputed masterpiece. You could spend days and days exploring the fantastic world of Hyrule.    … Expand
  10. Mazzito
    Mar 3, 2017
    9
    The magic of Zelda's universe has returned.
    The combat is fine and funny.
    The graphics and artstyle are pretty and cartoon type.
    The game and story is magic.
  11. London_Calling
    Apr 2, 2017
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A measure of how good this game is that when I knew my abilities weren't strong enough, rather than find it very frustrating (like normal), I was happy to explore for hours upon hours to build myself up. It's beautiful to look at and play. The Shrine puzzles are a good mix of tests and probably at the right level and tower climbing keeps you busy. This is an 8 (+1 for being Zelda with all that that brings along with it).… Expand
  12. JonDoc
    Mar 3, 2017
    9
    Sublime, perfectly weighted, sandbox adventure game. Well worth the wait. Atmospherically and emotionally the best Zelda of them all. Every activity is polished to perfection. Breathes new life into the franchise with satisfying gameplay, art direction and level design
  13. GrumpyReviewer
    May 17, 2017
    9
    I give it a 9/10 because Zelda BotW is not a perfect game. It is an ALMOST perfect game, though.

    It does feel refreshing to walk into this adventure and make it your own. There are just a handful of tips, clues and tutorials and the rest is up to you. It completely connected me back to the very first Zelda, on the NES, when you would start the game, get a sword and, well, good luck.    I give it a 9/10 because Zelda BotW is not a perfect game. It is an ALMOST perfect game, though.

    It does feel refreshing to walk into this adventure and make it your own. There are just a handful of tips, clues and tutorials and the rest is up to you. It completely connected me back to the very first Zelda, on the NES, when you would start the game, get a sword and, well, good luck.

    BotW follows the same principle. This is YOUR story. Make it your OWN. Discover it, feel it, EXPERIENCE it. You will die a lot, for sure; but you will also be amazed with your discoveries. That´s the beauty of this phenomenal experience. I am loving to play this and I think it was worth it to buy a Switch just to play it. I absolutely love this game and I really think everyone should play it to see for themselves that the hype, the praise, it is all real.

    But, like I said before, this is not a perfect game. It has its fair share of flaws. My biggest complain being the weapon durability system. It sucks. It makes me like the game less. Zelda is all about a collection of an arsenal, and to hone your skills around them. This is gone, for good. You get a fair amount of weapons and shields that break just around the corner. I understand the mindset behind this mechanic, but I really feel it hurts the game. If Zelda BotW had a fixed inventory of weapons and items, the experience (at least for me) would be much, much better.    … Expand
  14. MrFlankster
    Apr 3, 2017
    9
    Ok, I didn't want to write a review until I completed the game... for the most part. I finished the story but looking at the map that came with the strategy guide, I haven't touched but 3% of the game. This is the first game in a LONG time that when I finished it, I was sad that it was over. Wind Waker was, until this one, was my favorite Zelda of all time. Other Zelda games have someOk, I didn't want to write a review until I completed the game... for the most part. I finished the story but looking at the map that came with the strategy guide, I haven't touched but 3% of the game. This is the first game in a LONG time that when I finished it, I was sad that it was over. Wind Waker was, until this one, was my favorite Zelda of all time. Other Zelda games have some quarks that really bother me, so no Zelda game has EVER been my favorite game of all time.

    I really don't see how one can say this is boring. If you have the discovery bone and like to take an adventure just to see what is around the next corner, then this is the game for you. If you seek out all the memories, it will help you get engaged in the story even more. There are hundreds of boss fights and the combat is surprisingly deep. The music is amazing and I absolutely love the graphics.

    The ONLY reason I give it a 9 is because of the frame rate issues on the switch. Not sure how it runs on the Wii U, but there are some areas where the frame rate clearly dips down to 20 FPS. So when this would happen, I would play in handheld mode. Apparently the update that came out yesterday fixes this so I'm excited to dive back in!

    I truly feel that this is the best game ever made. Resident Evil 4 was king for me until now. Seriously.    … Expand
  15. WildFire15
    Mar 5, 2017
    9
    Before you buy Breath of the Wild, be aware that this is a big departure from the Zelda games we've been enjoying since Link to the Past. That isn't a bad thing, but it's been interesting seeing the reactions to it (some of who I think want to 'balance out' the scores the game's been getting).

    To me, Breath of the Wild gets open worlds right in a way other open world games have    Before you buy Breath of the Wild, be aware that this is a big departure from the Zelda games we've been enjoying since Link to the Past. That isn't a bad thing, but it's been interesting seeing the reactions to it (some of who I think want to 'balance out' the scores the game's been getting).

    To me, Breath of the Wild gets open worlds right in a way other open world games have forgotten; made the world feel like one consistent and meaningful place you can explore at will. You're rarely pointed straight at an objective, usually only given a rough idea of it's location and allowed to find it yourself, traversing across plains, mountains, swamps, deserts and so on to find it. Contrast that with Just Cause, where you have your objective marker, either steal a vehicle or parachute/wing suit your way over the terrain without any real need to pay it any notice, making it more a commute then an adventure.

    There's a lot to find and do, but it's all technically optional as you can head straight to the end of the game once you leave the plateau at the beginning. There's four dungeons and 100 shrines to find around the world, their challenges based mostly on puzzles utilizing abilities you unlock at the beginning of the game rather then finding an item within them to continue. In another change, combat has dropped it's flashier abilities but added more options in alternative weapons (swords, spears, axes, bows as well as boomerang swords as well as stealth options) which you'll have to switch between to maintain as each will eventually break. The lack of ability to repair or forge your own is disappointing, but you'll find weapons all over the world, either taken off enemies, laying around or in chests. You can also get difference clothes that give added protection from attacks, weather conditions or even new abilities.

    I've been playing solidly for about 20 hours, completing 1 main dungeon and about 20 or so shrines while making my way anti-clockwise around the map and I can see why this game's thought of so highly. I like to go walking up mountains in real life and I've never had the feelings of accomplishment in reaching the top and planning which one to climb next or whereto go from the view in a game before. Breath of the Wild returns to the open world something it had almost forgotten; a sense of real, open adventure.    … Expand
  16. Rhysing
    Jun 24, 2020
    9
    Having such fond memories of A Link to the Past, and generally good experiences with some of the other Zelda titles through the years, Breath of the Wild is the one that hits so well.

    The open world aspect is amplified by its beauty, secrets, and story to be discovered. This is a must have game, best in the Zelda series. There are some shortcomings, but nothing dire and generally made    Having such fond memories of A Link to the Past, and generally good experiences with some of the other Zelda titles through the years, Breath of the Wild is the one that hits so well.

    The open world aspect is amplified by its beauty, secrets, and story to be discovered. This is a must have game, best in the Zelda series. There are some shortcomings, but nothing dire and generally made up for with the near justifications of another feature.

    Allow yourself to experience this game and truly push the combat to its limits.    … Expand
  17. Honelith
    Mar 5, 2017
    9
    Embrace the joy of gaming, Breath of the Wild is a gaming jewel which gets so many things right and several not so good, but on the grand scale of things, a game of this depth and breadth is an amazing achievement. It's up there with The Witcher 3 and The Elder Scrolls, but it's a very unique take on open world exploration which makes Breath of the Wild very interesting, it's an absoluteEmbrace the joy of gaming, Breath of the Wild is a gaming jewel which gets so many things right and several not so good, but on the grand scale of things, a game of this depth and breadth is an amazing achievement. It's up there with The Witcher 3 and The Elder Scrolls, but it's a very unique take on open world exploration which makes Breath of the Wild very interesting, it's an absolute joy to play which The Witcher 3 and The Elder Scrolls games simply cannot tap into.

    Quite possibly the most fun I've had with a game in many, many years. My biggest issue was 900p resolution and sub 30fps, but the art style is beautiful and the gameworld is full of life that you hardly take notice, so don't let that put you off. Ocarina of Time on the N64 was one of my cherished gaming moments and thankfully, Breath of the Wild gives us this experience again, a triumphant and instant classic.    … Expand
  18. Sephet
    Apr 12, 2017
    9
    I'm no fan of Nintendo and thought this would be another overrated game, but after playing for a few minutes Ive come to realize that it deserves all the praise it's been getting. Packed with a beautiful graphics art style and very intuitive and immersive game mechanics, the interaction with the world around you is amazing and the open world, do-whatever-you-want gameplay style has beenI'm no fan of Nintendo and thought this would be another overrated game, but after playing for a few minutes Ive come to realize that it deserves all the praise it's been getting. Packed with a beautiful graphics art style and very intuitive and immersive game mechanics, the interaction with the world around you is amazing and the open world, do-whatever-you-want gameplay style has been very well implemented. The combat system is a bit too simple imo (as expected of a 3rd person hack-n-slash), but that's compensated by the variety of tactics needed to kill different enemies, as well as stealth approaches being present.
    Would give a 10 score if it wasn't a console exclusive title, which restricts a lot of fans from playing it.    … Expand
  19. doctuar
    Jun 22, 2017
    9
    A great Zelda game, but I'm not sure if it's the best. There is no doubt that the world is amazing and fun to explore but there's a strange lack of purpose to it. I've done all 120 shrines now and seen a fair bit of the game, though there is sometimes a lot of busywork involved (especially when upgrading armour or certain side-quests). I can't bring myself to give this game a 10 but IA great Zelda game, but I'm not sure if it's the best. There is no doubt that the world is amazing and fun to explore but there's a strange lack of purpose to it. I've done all 120 shrines now and seen a fair bit of the game, though there is sometimes a lot of busywork involved (especially when upgrading armour or certain side-quests). I can't bring myself to give this game a 10 but I think an 8 would also be unfair. Honestly, I think it's a good game but as a Zelda entry... Ocarina of Time still wins the top slot for me.

    Check it out if you like open world games and action adventure, there's an awful lot to see and do. If you want an in-depth story and a mythos you can really get your teeth into, though, temper your expectations. Hopefully the DLC coming winter 2017 will add a bit more meat to the bones.    … Expand
  20. elnicobra
    Dec 18, 2017
    9
    Si, es un excelente juego que trae consigo horas y horas de diversión. Me encanta la libertad que trae consigo, los puzles y la dificultad a la altura. En esto ultimo detallo que, al principio puede parecer fácil con sus mecánicas, pero luego te das cuenta que el tema es que vas progresando en la medida que avanzas en el juego y esto realmente da la sensación de que vas convirtiéndote enSi, es un excelente juego que trae consigo horas y horas de diversión. Me encanta la libertad que trae consigo, los puzles y la dificultad a la altura. En esto ultimo detallo que, al principio puede parecer fácil con sus mecánicas, pero luego te das cuenta que el tema es que vas progresando en la medida que avanzas en el juego y esto realmente da la sensación de que vas convirtiéndote en ese héroe que todos queremos llegar a ser.
    Se me queda flojo al final, en todo lo que eso conlleva. La dificultad es dudosa, la participación del enemigo final es nula, mas que estar presente no hace (no habla por ejemplo) me queda vacío por ese lado, aunque es verdad que durante todo el juego, tratando de hacerlo al 100% te da una sensación de poder en Ganon que merece, pero le quita protagonismo al no tener personalidad.    … Expand
  21. edstead
    May 6, 2017
    9
    This is without a doubt one of the best open world games I have ever played. So many open world games claim to be just that, open world, but still like to hold your hand and guide you around. Zelda 100% does not do that. The world is yours to explore, to take on in any order you please and it feels truly great to be able to do that.

    The combat is fun and challenging, the puzzles are    This is without a doubt one of the best open world games I have ever played. So many open world games claim to be just that, open world, but still like to hold your hand and guide you around. Zelda 100% does not do that. The world is yours to explore, to take on in any order you please and it feels truly great to be able to do that.

    The combat is fun and challenging, the puzzles are everywhere, some are quite simple, others will have you thinking for a while. And as you would expect there's plenty of cool things hidden around the world for you to discover. I love that quests don't just rely on putting a marker on your map, they give you directions and it's up to you to figure it out.

    If you own a switch, you simply have to have this game.

    I can't quite give it a 10/10. More like a 9.5 as it's missing a few small features that I think would really round it off into the perfect game. For example it would be great if there was a GTA/WoW style stats tracker, that could tell you how many of certain enemies you've killed, how long you've spent playing, etc. etc.

    I also think a Monster Hunter style recipe book (i.e. it only tells you a recipe once you've already made it once) would also work really well in this game.

    But this game is already worth its value, and that is set to be extended with some DLC in Summer and Winter. Simply a must buy!    … Expand
  22. Lonewulfza
    Mar 10, 2017
    9
    I have roughly about 30 hours of play time on the new Zelda BotW on Switch. And I am confident to say that it is one of the best games I have EVER played. The dynamicness of the physics engine and the massive open world brings Zelda to life as I have personally never experienced it before and I was a big fan of Ocarina of Time.
    Zelda BotW is a game that every self proclaimed gamer needs    I have roughly about 30 hours of play time on the new Zelda BotW on Switch. And I am confident to say that it is one of the best games I have EVER played. The dynamicness of the physics engine and the massive open world brings Zelda to life as I have personally never experienced it before and I was a big fan of Ocarina of Time.
    Zelda BotW is a game that every self proclaimed gamer needs to experience to see what a open world game SHOULD be like.

    The best thing about Zelda BotW is the fact that it does not hold your hand. You need to investigate and try things to figure them out. Questions like 'if I hold this wooden spear in the fire, will it catch alight?' and 'If the bokoblins throw rocks at me, can I hit the rocks back at them with a wooden club?' are where the joy of trail and error lay. It truly is a fantastic experience. I will be playing this game for a long, long time.

    Some of the only critics I can give it:

    One is that the story takes a back seat for the most part in the early game. It tries to make it look like there is this impending danger, but it never really comes across like that when you are exploring the open world, staying away from any main story missions.

    Another is that some of the voice acting (a new for Zelda games) is pretty terrible. You get the just of what the story is trying to tell you, but the audio of the few voice acted scenes sometimes dips softer for no apparent reason.

    In the end, those complaints are tiny against the overwhelming number of positives that you will experience from playing this iteration of the legend of Zelda.    … Expand
  23. Tubey
    Mar 4, 2017
    9
    It's absolutely outstanding. BotW offers the most beautifully designed open world yet seen in a video game, alongside clever mechanics (special shout out for how incredible the physics of this game are too), a very well woven story (almost passively told yet still deep and mesmerising) and a mild yet perfectly fitting soundtrack, all combining to produce one of the most complete, polishedIt's absolutely outstanding. BotW offers the most beautifully designed open world yet seen in a video game, alongside clever mechanics (special shout out for how incredible the physics of this game are too), a very well woven story (almost passively told yet still deep and mesmerising) and a mild yet perfectly fitting soundtrack, all combining to produce one of the most complete, polished and instantly memorable video games of all time.

    I'm no Nintendo fan boy at all - I think the company itself are quite horrible with their YouTube policies, attempt to strangle video game rentals decades ago (along with Action Replay cheat carts) - but despite all of that, they put out astonishing games, and honestly this one might just be their crowning achievement ever.

    Yes, I'm talking about one-upping classics like Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, Super Metroid... the lot. Breath of the Wild is the culmination of decades of experience from a company who may have just perfected single player gaming with one single masterpiece.

    I won't write much more, as I want to avoid spoilers completely - this game should be played blind and you should indulge yourself in it. Honestly, do what I'm going to do - put every other game on the backburner and enjoy this for the next month or so. It deserves your time and attention.

    Well done Nintendo - I still loathe what you are, but well done indeed. With one launch title, they've already gave Switch owners value for money.    … Expand
  24. ekolite82
    Jul 16, 2023
    9
    A fantastic voyage.. that ending though to me felt like a blank page and did not leave me fulfilled.
  25. Davekun
    Jun 30, 2017
    9
    I'm not a fan of open world games and I was really scared that this could ruin the Zelda feeling. I'm glad to say that it didn't. The world it's so full of interesting stuff to do that you get easily distracted from the main quest just to satisfy your curiosity. It's true that the game is not perfect: there are occasional frame drops and the inventory and weapons management could beI'm not a fan of open world games and I was really scared that this could ruin the Zelda feeling. I'm glad to say that it didn't. The world it's so full of interesting stuff to do that you get easily distracted from the main quest just to satisfy your curiosity. It's true that the game is not perfect: there are occasional frame drops and the inventory and weapons management could be better, but overall the experience is so overwhelming that you forget everything else. It's a true masterpiece that gets inspiration from previous titles of the series and other open world AAA games in a perfect mix. Recommended… Expand
  26. mrwho995
    May 30, 2023
    9
    Although now in many ways this game is completely outclassed by Tears of the Kingdom, this game was a revolution for its time, and Tears isn't. This game crafted a brand new physics and chemistry system and a ginormous world to explore. And the exploration and sense of freedom this game brings is what makes it so great. It is a remarkable achievement in the context of its time.

    However,    Although now in many ways this game is completely outclassed by Tears of the Kingdom, this game was a revolution for its time, and Tears isn't. This game crafted a brand new physics and chemistry system and a ginormous world to explore. And the exploration and sense of freedom this game brings is what makes it so great. It is a remarkable achievement in the context of its time.

    However, it is also a hugely flawed experience. The Divine Beasts are deeply underwhelming, the story is terrible, and the game is much too far removed from what made Zelda great in many respects. And now, the banality of the sidequests is laid bare by how excellent Tears's side adventures are. Tears would go on to address other flaws too, but not all of them and not always with great success.

    This game's biggest asset is the huge, brand new world you explore. In this way, it wipes the floor with Tears' re-used map and somewhat underwhelming underworld. Whether you rate this game better than Tears depends on whether you consider the surrounding context: everything in this game is new, whereas a huge amount of Tears is re-used.    … Expand
  27. Ormegasm
    Mar 22, 2017
    9
    Pretty good the open world feels organic, and if they take this formula and improve on it for next time maybe we will get the best game of all time which for as much as I personally enjoyed this game it is not. for Zelda fans it's a solid 9 out of 10 for people new to the franchise most likely an 8
  28. Vamphaery
    Mar 5, 2017
    9
    Taking off my very heavily rose tinted Zelda fandom glasses and trying to describe the game simply for what it is, I'll say it's an open world action RPG with simple but profoundly satisfying mechanics, a heavy emphasis on exploration and discovery, and some of the most brilliant and *satisfying* physics and logic puzzles I've ever seen in a game. (Any game. Honestly, it gives the PortalTaking off my very heavily rose tinted Zelda fandom glasses and trying to describe the game simply for what it is, I'll say it's an open world action RPG with simple but profoundly satisfying mechanics, a heavy emphasis on exploration and discovery, and some of the most brilliant and *satisfying* physics and logic puzzles I've ever seen in a game. (Any game. Honestly, it gives the Portal series and others a very strong run for their money in terms of trying to figure out what to do, and then making use of the game's myriad abilities and its physics engine and timing to solve certain areas.)

    Some caveats, of course. If you've never enjoyed past Zelda games because of the simplistic story, silliness/humor, or general themes, this game isn't likely to change your mind. It does give the world and its history a much greater sense of lore than past installments, and there is voice acting in cut scenes now, but this is still a Zelda game. It still feels like Zelda, it still looks like Zelda, NPCs are still silly/humorous at times like Zelda, most dialogue is still text-based, and mechanically, despite a great many additions that transform the way you play and explore (for the better by far imho,) it still feels - largely, at least - like Zelda.

    Where it differs, and where its genius lies, is both in its constant sense of challenge, and the total freedom it provides to choose how best to overcome its many obstacles. While the save system is extremely generous so as to avoid tedium, even well into the game with lots of health and stamina increases under your belt, you'll encounter enemies that can easily one-hit annihilate you. And every time you acclimate to an enemy or an area and its particular challenges, the game throws something new at you.

    You'll spend a lot of time moving the camera around to get a good view of where you're trying to go, and then trying to decide where to climb/jump/glide so as to reach your intended goal (this free form ability to pick a destination and then try to formulate a tactic for reaching it is one of the game's strengths - maybe its greatest imo) without running out of stamina - which means falling.

    There is *something* to be found everywhere you climb or explore. Shrines (which contain the aforementioned puzzles,) NPCs, Koroks, overworld mini-bosses, enemy forts, or simply chests containing money, ammunition, weapons, armor, or other goodies (sometimes even rare weapons,) abound. But there are still occasional areas that are devoid of any major world content. This lends the game a slow, methodical, lonely feeling at times. (Though some would instead call it boring. Pick your adjective depending upon personal taste. I love it.)

    The physics engine in the game means you can push boulders down hills into enemies, set fires (which spread) to create updrafts to lift your paraglider higher into the air, chop down trees and send them floating down rivers to create makeshift bridges, freeze water to create pillars that alter the path of moving objects in creative ways, or build ad hoc catapults. And much more. Experimenting is rewarding.

    It's going to be very difficult for me to go back to only being able to ride/walk/drive/jump everywhere in games like GTA, Bethesda's titles, or Red Dead, unless they include some form of climbing. The sense of real freedom - and thoughtful effort - it imparts is just too profound to ever go without again imo. And that challenge (can I get up here or should I try another side of the cliff that might be easier? And if I do, will I fall and lose my opportunity to get up there? Do I need stamina elixirs first? Where's the nearest fire to make them?) is the best part of the game for me.

    The first two shrines I did were already the most satisfying puzzles I've ever completed in a game, despite their brevity... and that's just the tip of the ice berg. The game's design and mechanics are, frankly, ingeniously implemented. Perhaps best of all, challenge level seems commensurate with payoff (abilities, powerful items, etc.) which is great. Discovery always leads to some degree of advancement.

    What Ocarina of Time did for Zelda and games in general for its time, with the huge shock and awe of seeing the 2D to 3D transition still in full effect, Breath of the Wild likewise does in its own time for design and freedom... without having to rely on that sense of awe that the industry transitioning to 3D gave us. It doesn't surpass it, but for me, it DOES equal it. (Which in and of itself is astounding.)

    The game is a high 9 for me rather than a 10. There are some muddy textures, some aliasing, and some frame rate issues. Those are the only technical blemishes I've encountered, and that seems to be the consensus so far.

    In short, it's just plain fun, and beautifully implemented. But as with all games, it won't be for everyone. Use the above information to formulate where you're likely to fall. The quantity and variety of content is vast.    … Expand
  29. pablobosa
    Apr 3, 2017
    9
    Iam only 20h into the game but i've been surprised in everyway (long time zelda fan) the combat needs more polishing but everything else is a solid 10.
  30. kiosia
    Nov 10, 2017
    9
    Marvellous game, I'm sure everybody knows at this point, this is one of the best open world games ever made. Usually, when I play a game, I try to subvert the rules, solving puzzles by different ways than the developer intended. And what a great job of game design this game is. I'd say all puzzles have more than one possible solution, fitting all playstyles. Kudos for Nintendo for this.Marvellous game, I'm sure everybody knows at this point, this is one of the best open world games ever made. Usually, when I play a game, I try to subvert the rules, solving puzzles by different ways than the developer intended. And what a great job of game design this game is. I'd say all puzzles have more than one possible solution, fitting all playstyles. Kudos for Nintendo for this.

    Buuuuuut, despite this being a masterpiece, I really didn't like the plot. It felt shallow. The cutscenes didn't help at all, and, oh god, the dubbing full of "uh"s and "ah"s is a joke.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Switch Game of 2017
1
#1 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
97

Universal acclaim - based on 109 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 109
  3. Negative: 0 out of 109
  1. GameGrin
    Dec 12, 2017
    100
    Where it takes mechanics from others in the industry, it improves upon them; where it introduces new ones, you slap your forehead in amazement that it hasn’t been done before. Breath of the Wild is development done right, and damn near the best game you’ll play all year.
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  2. Wired UK
    Aug 30, 2017
    100
    Breath of the Wild is a masterpiece.
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  3. Games Master UK
    May 19, 2017
    96
    Up there with the finest Zelda games, Breath of the Wild is bold, liberating, and utterly astonishing. [Apr 2017, p.60]
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