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. Traumvita
    Sep 6, 2023
    8
    Honestly not a huge fan of the new direction with LoZ but I still thoroughly enjoyed the game. The cell shaded visuals are stunning and music is good. Story and the way it’s told is pretty weak. World was cool and it was fun to explore and discover stuff. I’m 50/50 on the shrines. A solid entry and a solid mix up to the formula.
  2. Sapra
    May 25, 2023
    8
    Game is very good, but still wayy too much hype around it.

    Repetitive + meh graphics hidden behind a wall of cartoonish choice because of the switch.

    Gameplay facepalm : you can't switch locked target, you have to unlock, and pray for your next lock to be the target you expected.

    Other than that very solid game.
  3. SpiderSucc
    Mar 9, 2023
    8
    I have not finished alot of the game yet so take this review with a grain of salt but i think breath of the wild is pretty goot although the start is pretty slow so i didnt really get into it at first but i think other then that and weapon durrability making no sense and i dont like when your weapons break its a pretty good game and i can see why so many people like this game
  4. milesg305
    May 8, 2021
    8
    From the first minute until you beat Ganon, the game is truly astonishing. The exploration feels very natural, like you're progressing in a very real, slow, but satisfying way. After the game ends, there isn't much to do aside from a TON of side quests that don't really feel all that rewarding after you've already completed the game. Still though, the first 100 hours or so are worth the price.
  5. Wondux
    May 28, 2023
    8
    Incredible game. One of the best-designed open worlds I have ever seen. It's crazy how if you can see an area, you can go there. You can climb basically everywhere. Gliding makes it even crazier. I love that there are different communities and biomes within the world. I loved exploring every one of them one by one.

    The shrines are impressive. They are amusing to solve, and also very    Incredible game. One of the best-designed open worlds I have ever seen. It's crazy how if you can see an area, you can go there. You can climb basically everywhere. Gliding makes it even crazier. I love that there are different communities and biomes within the world. I loved exploring every one of them one by one.

    The shrines are impressive. They are amusing to solve, and also very rewarding. Increasing the stamina wheel incentivizes more exploring, leading to more shrines. It's a loop I couldn't escape. It feels very rewarding when you solve the puzzle. It makes you feel like you are the only one who could do it, as it doesn't give you any instructions. That is very satisfying.

    The combat feels great. I like that weapons break. It forces you to try new weapons which present a variety and breaks monotony. I also like the food system.

    There are some things that hold me off from giving this game a perfect score. Firstly, I didn't enjoy the majority of side missions. They are repetitive and dull. Also, the main story wasn't anything special. The final boss was extremely easy and disappointing. In addition, although the open world is amazing, there wasn't much to do in between the shrines.

    Still, a breathtaking game.    … Expand
  6. Mark6440
    Feb 27, 2022
    8
    the game is good, but i don't like the fact that your weapons break even the most iconic shield can get broken. The game i also hard if it's your first time playing it, but after you have gotten some good gear the game is a cake walk
  7. wuki
    Jul 19, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a really good Zelda game. The game's map is incredibly large and also incredibly extensive. The cutscenes in BOTW are also pretty good. However, I find the passages between the memories and also between the villages, shrines etc. far too lengthy. The music in BOTW is also good. (Fun fact: if you speed up the music from the Hylian field, you can hear Zelda's Lullaby). Unfortunately, I miss the story too much, which is what games like Ocarina of Time or Skyward Sword have. I give this game a rating of 8 out of 10 because the game feels incredibly free. You can cook what you want, you can carry the weapons you want, you can be where you want, this game defines freedom. I don't give it a 10 out of 10 because I just miss the story too much and the music isn't the best music in the whole series either.… Expand
  8. DoubleAgod
    Sep 10, 2021
    8
    Very good game, great visuals, atmospheric, yet simplistic music, a pretty good story, and some phenomenal little details to the world. Great bow and elemental combat, along with giving you the the tools to properly strategize and use your environment when tackling enemies. That being said, it does suffer from an unexciting melee combat system, the cutscenes are quite boring, and the worldVery good game, great visuals, atmospheric, yet simplistic music, a pretty good story, and some phenomenal little details to the world. Great bow and elemental combat, along with giving you the the tools to properly strategize and use your environment when tackling enemies. That being said, it does suffer from an unexciting melee combat system, the cutscenes are quite boring, and the world itself, as beautiful and atmospheric as it is, can feel vapid at times with repetitive awards and enemies.… Expand
  9. Non_Royal
    Sep 14, 2021
    8
    The game was good. I did not regret the 31 hour of my life spent on it. But the slow start was throwing me off the game to actually see it's beauty. took me like 5 tries until I managed to get into it
  10. Tikur
    Jul 12, 2022
    8
    I have just completed this game and in my opinion get this game more praise than it's deserve.

    Sure it is a very fun and experimental game, where you have many opportunities to complete it. The good aspects first. I really like the concept of the game that you can go to Ganon, the final boss, when ever you want. This leads to countless different ways to play and experience it. In    I have just completed this game and in my opinion get this game more praise than it's deserve.

    Sure it is a very fun and experimental game, where you have many opportunities to complete it.

    The good aspects first.

    I really like the concept of the game that you can go to Ganon, the final boss, when ever you want. This leads to countless different ways to play and experience it. In consequence it gets also a lot of replay value, because of the different options you have to reach the goal.

    The shrines, one of the most controversial new addition for nearly all of the players, is also one of my favourite new elements the developer have added. The little puzzle rooms, work like a collectible and also as tricky little puzzles to keep the motivation high. The player is always in control of the pace and able to make free decisions on his own.

    Another top aspect is the world itself. Hyrule looks beautiful, has a lot of secrets to explore and offers a variety of environments. The complete world feels alive and the music which unusually subtle for a Zelda game fits it all perfectly.

    However, now here are my issues with the game.

    The new element, that your weapons will broke down, is annoying all the time you play and especially at the beginning simply frustrating. You only get weak weapons which will broke down very quickly, so you need to get another weak weapon. Thankfully this gets better when you make more progress. But this Problem runs through the entire game.

    The second complain I have is the camera angle, especially in combat. They have never improved on that since 1998. At that time it was not that bad, because at that time there weren't much enemies on the screen. But now You it can easily happen, that you have to face four or five enemies simultaneously. At that point you realise that the combat system is not made for situations like that.
    The final boss fight against Ganon is really bad and a huge disappointment. Clunky controls and an outdated concept are the main reasons for that.

    My last complain is the praise itself that the game gets. This is by far not the best game on switch.
    Super Mario Odyssey and Kirby and the forgotten Land are by far the better games, because they implemented their new features, way more clever than Breath of the Wild did. Both games also feel more polished, than Breath of the Wild.

    It is clearly a good game but far away from being a masterpiece.    … Expand
  11. ArezuTotodile
    Nov 7, 2021
    8
    Good open world game but a bad zelda game .There no Big dungons and not lot of mobs.
  12. cchenders40
    Aug 25, 2022
    8
    I don't get the hype.

    This was my first Zelda game and I had high expectations for obvious reasons. And to be honest, other than the gameplay and art style this is a pretty empty game with virtually no story. I am pretty confused why anyone would consider this the greatest game of all time. You literally have to do a picture quest if you want to get any semblance of a story or    I don't get the hype.

    This was my first Zelda game and I had high expectations for obvious reasons. And to be honest, other than the gameplay and art style this is a pretty empty game with virtually no story. I am pretty confused why anyone would consider this the greatest game of all time.

    You literally have to do a picture quest if you want to get any semblance of a story or character development. The open world is pretty empty other than scattered enemy encampments and repetitive inns throughout. The puzzle dungeons were interesting but repetitive and not very fun.

    Positives. The sound track is a masterpiece without a doubt. The gameplay and physics mechanic and addictive and endlessly fun. The boss design is 10/10 amazing. But other than those positives this is a pretty empty and repetitive open world with virtually no story.    … Expand
  13. Kd-madrid
    Feb 15, 2022
    8
    Acutally I am a playstation fan and i bought the switch oled model as i really like this device and it’s idea and the innovation it delivers and i wanted to explore the universe of nintendo and i bought zelda BOWT and supermario odyssey when i saw the reviews and watched gameplay videos i realised that these games are overrated as i saw people claiming that zelda bowt is the best gameAcutally I am a playstation fan and i bought the switch oled model as i really like this device and it’s idea and the innovation it delivers and i wanted to explore the universe of nintendo and i bought zelda BOWT and supermario odyssey when i saw the reviews and watched gameplay videos i realised that these games are overrated as i saw people claiming that zelda bowt is the best game ever and 10s everywhere and i was not impressed with all the hype i think they are alittle bit overrated and overhyped games i started to play them and to be honest i did not finish both of them but i really went through missions and quests and i will continue till i finish both of them i am talking here about super mario odyssey and zelda as they are the best and highest rated game on the system but i will continue talking about zelda i just want the nintendo fanboys not to be bothered or feel offended but i really can not see anything wow or special about BOTW:
    Big empty lifeless world, combat no so exciting, i do not like the concept of broken shields and weapons , the climbing system which is not logic and against physicses graphics which is not astonishing or gorgeous it looks like ipad games , and link the protagonist who do not talk !!! No voice acting for link how come a game like this the protagonist do not talk currently one of the most important aspects of the best games ever made is the protagonist and voice acting of the character that makes us fall in love with games like arthur morgan or kratos , nathan drake and many many characters. zelda botw is good game but not S tier or best ever or what so ever you call it you can not put it besides red dead redemption 2 or god of war, last of us or many many games who are much better on many aspects and again i am not telling it is a bad game i am playstation fan but i really like to explore many and different games from the playstation system it is a really good game but not that much as most of you claiming it is the best ever or the 10/10 reviews i think it’s fair review 8 or 8.5    … Expand
  14. Rydia030
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    Aunque debo aceptar que la formula clásica me gusta mas para zelda, creo este juego cumple y muy bien, aunque hay muchos sitios en los que avanzas sin realmente hacer nada, se sienten vacíos, es algo que suele pasar en la mayoría de títulos de este genero por el tamaño del mapa, aunque se extrañan los dungeons y las peleas con sus jefes, las 4 maquinas sagradas en el juego tienen su plusAunque debo aceptar que la formula clásica me gusta mas para zelda, creo este juego cumple y muy bien, aunque hay muchos sitios en los que avanzas sin realmente hacer nada, se sienten vacíos, es algo que suele pasar en la mayoría de títulos de este genero por el tamaño del mapa, aunque se extrañan los dungeons y las peleas con sus jefes, las 4 maquinas sagradas en el juego tienen su plus que lo hace muy bueno, la pelea final se ve bien, pero creo si deja algo que desear, no se si por que el final en twilight princess fueron combates finales muy emotivos contra ganon-ganaondorf o que fue porque lo senti muy simple, pero eso no significa que mal, creo lo mejor del juego mas que terminarlo, es el crafteo de armaduras, buscar los dragones y estar cazandolos por una escama, y las batallas con las bestias sagradas es lo mas destacable.… Expand
  15. purple_ostrich
    Feb 22, 2022
    8
    It's fine. No story to speak of, boring enemies. Best part is exploration but frequent rain and inability to call horse in the wild gets in the way of that.
  16. DarkwingSchmuck
    Mar 4, 2022
    8
    Breath of the Wild is a necessary and mostly successful reinvention of The Legend of Zelda. Everything about this game was taken back to the drawing board -- so much so that it takes a bit to rewire your brain from all the things video games have taught you in the past.

    As far as open-world exploration goes, Breath of the Wild is second to none. Its vast, gorgeous wide open map is    Breath of the Wild is a necessary and mostly successful reinvention of The Legend of Zelda. Everything about this game was taken back to the drawing board -- so much so that it takes a bit to rewire your brain from all the things video games have taught you in the past.

    As far as open-world exploration goes, Breath of the Wild is second to none. Its vast, gorgeous wide open map is like one big Zelda dungeon that you can explore at your own leisure. Go anywhere, do anything, and experiment with anything and everything. You can't walk 10 feet without tripping over things to do in this game.

    If the inevitable sequel can ditch the awful weapon degradation mechanic, add some full dungeons to explore, and allow you to climb when it's raining instead of waiting around for five minutes until the skies clear, then it will have the potential to be something truly special.    … Expand
  17. sovg1998
    Mar 7, 2022
    8
    ten points games no doubt,but Ninetendo fans is making a Yamato God in our homeland,make American great again
  18. Guts_147
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    My first Zelda game and... wow, just WOW.
    when i bought the game i didn't expected the game to be this good, the best open world game on the switch right now, great graphics and art style, amazing story and incredible gameplay, non other Zelda game has gave me this feeling of being free in the world and such deep world to explore.
    Still the best switch game to this day.
  19. imreviewingstuf
    Mar 29, 2022
    8
    BOTW is a very good game that suffers due to people overhyping. It is not the greatest game ever but it is a good game.
  20. CouchPotato200
    Apr 6, 2022
    8
    On its own, this game is amazing. But when compared to other Zelda games, it doesn't really stack up. In fact I really don't think this game should be compared to other Zelda games because of how different it is. They completely changed the Zelda formula and I'd say it didn't work out. And with a sequel of this game on the horizon, it makes me think that maybe open-world is the future ofOn its own, this game is amazing. But when compared to other Zelda games, it doesn't really stack up. In fact I really don't think this game should be compared to other Zelda games because of how different it is. They completely changed the Zelda formula and I'd say it didn't work out. And with a sequel of this game on the horizon, it makes me think that maybe open-world is the future of Zelda. And I'm not a huge fan of that. When can we go back to the old Zelda formula? With the dungeons and the items and stuff. This game barely even has dungeons! Again, it's a great game, it's just an awful Zelda game.… Expand
  21. Koukaboora
    Apr 28, 2022
    8
    This is my favorite Zelda game to date. The style of the game is great and the world really feels like a battered and broken Hyrule. The characters you run into are funny and charismatic. There were tons of hidden mechanics in the game that I loved finding out about like the ability to warm yourself in cold temps by equipping red hot fire weapons. There is so much to like about the gameThis is my favorite Zelda game to date. The style of the game is great and the world really feels like a battered and broken Hyrule. The characters you run into are funny and charismatic. There were tons of hidden mechanics in the game that I loved finding out about like the ability to warm yourself in cold temps by equipping red hot fire weapons. There is so much to like about the game and there is a big emphasis on exploration and creativity.

    With that said, the reason I didn't give this game a perfect score is because there were so aspects of the game that I was not the biggest fan of. One of the biggest complaints that people have with this game was the weapon durability. I never really had an issue with this mechanic until I played on hero mode. I basically took a couple of weapons per enemy and it got to the point where I was using cheese strats to deal with enemies because it was more efficient. Another issue I had was with the enemy/dungeon variety. It was cool to see the classic Zelda enemies rendered in modern hardware but it sucked that there were only 6-7 enemy types and just recolored versions of them. I wasn't too excited for the DLC and I don't think it made the experience too much better.

    For being one of the first games on the switch, let alone the first Zelda entry on the Switch, it was a really good entry into the franchise. I am excited to see what they have in store for future entries and hope that they improve on the system/world that they have already built.    … Expand
  22. Vnderdog
    Jul 29, 2022
    8
    Good game but far from 10/10, combat is shallow, story is generic, puzzles feel like they were designed by kids, but exploration is fun
  23. raoulvador
    Jun 22, 2022
    8
    I've never been interested by a zelda game more than a couple of hours. Game boy one is pretty cool, but this one is the only you make me want to play more to discover the HUGE map and get lost in this world. This is good s****
  24. ElliottJudy
    Jun 26, 2022
    8
    This game is very very good and I recommend it too any person who plays games. However, some people act like its perfect when it definitely is not. Those flaws will probably not hinder your experience very much though. Overall you should play it but you already know that so why are you reading this? If you wanted to actually know about the game you probably would have just looked up aThis game is very very good and I recommend it too any person who plays games. However, some people act like its perfect when it definitely is not. Those flaws will probably not hinder your experience very much though. Overall you should play it but you already know that so why are you reading this? If you wanted to actually know about the game you probably would have just looked up a video. Most likely you have already played the game and just feel like looking at reviews. Well I have a message for that person... I'm never gonna give you up. I'm never gonna let you down. I'm never gonna run around and deserte you.… Expand
  25. Taken_Hades
    May 16, 2023
    8
    -5/10 story
    -10/10 gameplay
    -10/10 environments
    -7/10 characters
    -10/10 music
  26. BertKA88
    Aug 29, 2022
    8
    Without a doubt the most fun I’ve had exploring an open world ever. The fact I could go anywhere was so refreshing however this results in a game with not much of a story and some progression issues which stops it being a 10. That open world though….
  27. liminaai
    Mar 6, 2023
    8
    Link literally woke up with no memory, saw a creepy castle and an old man explained everything in such an oversimplified way and Zelda only told him to help her and save Hyrule yet Link STILL listened and helped. No **** questions he just knew what was right and what was wrong. I'm writing this at 12 AM so I probably worded this horribly- JUST BUT THE GAME
  28. PacoBN23
    Sep 24, 2022
    8
    Uno de los mundos abiertos que mayor libertad te ofrece. La trama principal es algo escasa pero cuenta todo lo que necesita, aunque se complementa a la perfección con las misiones secundarias y las actividades que te ofrece.
  29. Zarithra
    May 29, 2023
    8
    Many like me struggled to enjoy the first few hours (example: low stamina to climb walls or slipping druing rain, no proper cloithing to endure the cold, having to get used to weapons breaking). Soon after however, you really begin to enjoy and discover the open world and appreciate the effort developers put into this. BUT, eventually it begins to feel like a chore and you start to burnMany like me struggled to enjoy the first few hours (example: low stamina to climb walls or slipping druing rain, no proper cloithing to endure the cold, having to get used to weapons breaking). Soon after however, you really begin to enjoy and discover the open world and appreciate the effort developers put into this. BUT, eventually it begins to feel like a chore and you start to burn out. It becomes tiring to search for temples, tiring to collect additional heart and stamina containers, or increase inventory space, or replace weapons, or changing armour for weather or enemy type, or upgrading clothes or weapons. I found myself collecting all these for the sake of doing it, not for the fun of it.

    I would have rated this game a 6 for the first 3 hours, and then a 10 for the next 20 hours, and eventually settle at 8 overall for what should be called Zelda Chores in the Wild.
    Would be great to have voice overs instead of reading what felt like impossibly dry senseless dialogue accompanied by bizarre grunting noises. I had to lower the TV volume for fear my neighbours thinkinbg I'm watching porn (no joke).    … Expand
  30. Sephiroth_7_7
    Jun 24, 2023
    8
    the game is beautiful and brings a lot of fresh ideas to the table espescially regarding exploration. Although I cant say that this game is a masterpiece I will say that it is a good game indeed.
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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

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  2. Wired UK
    Aug 30, 2017
    100
    Breath of the Wild is a masterpiece.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »