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. ThoseCravens
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    You may want to check the mixed reviews, but you can't take 95% of the negative ones seriously. This is not a BAD NEGATIVE 0 game, it IS at least an 7, no matter what you like. If this game had received a score of 92 by critics, Nintendo haters wouldn't have been so pissed of and less of them would've taken the time to review the game with a zero. But if you check at the negative 0, 1 andYou may want to check the mixed reviews, but you can't take 95% of the negative ones seriously. This is not a BAD NEGATIVE 0 game, it IS at least an 7, no matter what you like. If this game had received a score of 92 by critics, Nintendo haters wouldn't have been so pissed of and less of them would've taken the time to review the game with a zero. But if you check at the negative 0, 1 and 2 reviews, (because either they vote with a 0 or they don't vote at all) everyone of them says the same: "This game looks like PS2, my PS4Pro is much better", and you can perfectly see what else they mean with that: "Horizon Zero Dawn is 1000 times better than this, all hail Sony". **** ridiculou.

    TLDR: We live in a world where MGSV has a 93 and HorizonZD a 88, if we see that you need an average of these two games to get a 9/10, Zelda would be about a 13/10.
    Zelda IS NOT A PERFECT GAME, but keeping in mind how little you gotta do to get a 9, Zelda is indeed a 10 and deserves every single one of those scores. And **** you all Nintendo haters. I feel ashamed just for having all Playstations, seeing how **** idiots some Sony fans are.    … Expand
  2. CrackKat
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    If you love open world this will be your favourite game of all time, it truly takes the genre to the next level.
    What makes a game of this ambition good? It's interactiveness. If you have a giant open world that you can only traverse, but not interact with, it's empty. This game is the opposite of that.
    The climbing mechanic is fundamental, it means that you can truly explore the open    If you love open world this will be your favourite game of all time, it truly takes the genre to the next level.
    What makes a game of this ambition good? It's interactiveness. If you have a giant open world that you can only traverse, but not interact with, it's empty. This game is the opposite of that.
    The climbing mechanic is fundamental, it means that you can truly explore the open world with freedom, anything you see, you can reach. But even the climbing has depth because of the stamina bar. You have to choose the least steep approach to minimise stamina drain and bring food/potions that boost stamina with you to help scale the grandest mountains.
    Why is the climbing and exploring great? Because the world is incredibly interactive like no other game. You can cut down a tree and throw objects at it to reposition it using the game's physics system. Once the cut down tree is in place you can walk along it as a bridge to cross a gap or freezing body of water. This is one example of interactivity. Another is lightning, if lightning strikes the grass, it will be set on fire. If the wind is blowing strongly, that fire will spread in that direction. The hot air from the fire will rise, allowing you to ride it up with a sail cloth to reach higher areas.
    All this interactiveness is fully realised through the powers you are given early in the game. The power to manipulate metal objects and the power to store, gather and unleash kinetic energy on objects helps you to creatively solve problems in the vast open world.
    These gameplay mechanics are in the context of a world full of enemies who gather in base camps and lookouts, waiting for you to openly assault them, stealthily kill them or creatively use your powers and the surrounding world to crush/burn/explode them. And if you play your cards right, you can get them to kill each other with their own projectiles, that's another example of how interactive everything is, a thrown rock will hurt anyone not just the target it was thrown at.
    But what happens when you defeat enemies? is the world left empty? or do they simply respawn when you look away? Fortunately it's neither. Through a mechanic I won't spoil, you will always be able to find enemies to fight in the world, they will not run out.
    And the enemies are ruthless, for the first time ever in a Zelda game I find myself dying, several times. Fortunately the game auto saves frequently, putting you back to your last auto-save point on death. This is perfect as it means that you don't lose much progress, but nor are you simply respawned instantly right next to your opponents as if nothing happened.
    It's two main features that define this game: interactivity and execution. More interactivity than any other open world game I've ever played, and the execution of the world design and gameplay mechanics is superb. This is all without mentioning the gorgeous graphics which for me make it the best looking game period. But I do not use this as a focus of the review as it's down to personal taste, I happen to love the art style, but some may not.
    Certainly for me, Breath of the Wild is the greatest game ever made, and I'm still less than 20 hours into it, but I'm sure this is going to be one that lasts well over 100 hours, potentially 200.    … Expand
  3. sagman76
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    A fantastic launch game for the Switch. The best Zelda ever?, probably. Vast world. Great visuals in handheld mode as well as on the TV. Fantastic controls. The critics are right .Ignore the zero reviews. People with nothing better in their lives than trolling. . The game and Switch are fantastic so far. Well done Nintendo.
  4. PatohGeek
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Esses Haters da Nintendo tem que ir pro inferno, não podem ver o um jogo dela que ja estão todos com c* na mão. Este jogo esta excelente conforme sua nota, um dos melhores jogos que ja joguei da zerie the legend of zelda.
  5. rhialy
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    The first game after Witcher 3 which could live up to its hype.
    Every few minutes there is magical moment while exploring the world, which is so big you basically will never go out of things to do/find/explore.
  6. DaHumAn
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Gonna give this a 10 automatically to balance out all the salt from sad fanboys that wished Horizon was going to be the GoG. Horizon is also a very good game, stop being salty lol, buy a Switch or Wii U and play this game, it's a good game. Anyways, I had my doubts when I saw the 98 average, but after putting time into this game, I'd have to say it's quiet deserving, and this is comingGonna give this a 10 automatically to balance out all the salt from sad fanboys that wished Horizon was going to be the GoG. Horizon is also a very good game, stop being salty lol, buy a Switch or Wii U and play this game, it's a good game. Anyways, I had my doubts when I saw the 98 average, but after putting time into this game, I'd have to say it's quiet deserving, and this is coming from somebody who played a lot of MMORPGs and open world games while being primarily a PC gamer. Nintendo hasn't lost the touch yet, at least not on the software front when it comes to big games.… Expand
  7. ethanfel
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Simply put, best game i have ever played. It's immense, hard, don't take the player for stupid, nearly no gps quest, you have to think.

    I deeply hope that this king inspire other openworld maker to remove gps quest from their series (bethesda, bioware, cd projekt i'm looking at you).
  8. Rasz
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    It is what is expected of Zelda, the preserved style, the flow of the story, different graphics or art of the pattern, colors, drama, sadness in moments, fantasy, and if sme game cumore this with primor, brings the best in Zelda style of being.
  9. StuOhQ
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    How many of the users posting reviews for this game have even played it? 784 down-votes? Metacritic really needs to verify ownership. Sooo much salt!

    Either way, I love my Playstation as much as the next guy, but this is an exceptional game and certainly among the best ever made. Nintendo could have very well just crunched Zelda plus open world equals quality game. Instead, they created    How many of the users posting reviews for this game have even played it? 784 down-votes? Metacritic really needs to verify ownership. Sooo much salt!

    Either way, I love my Playstation as much as the next guy, but this is an exceptional game and certainly among the best ever made. Nintendo could have very well just crunched Zelda plus open world equals quality game. Instead, they created one of the biggest, most immersive open worlds ever made and expanded on the Zelda formula itself in too many ways to count.

    I was incredibly over-hyped for this game and (despite all odds) it has exceeded those lofty expectations. Thank you, Nintendo. You've brought another masterpiece to the world at large.    … Expand
  10. jameswh
    Mar 5, 2017
    1
    One thing we've all learned today. No matter how "respectible" a gaming website/magazine claims to be they all swoon and crumble over that unmerited, nostalgia-blighted, might of Nintendo. Zelda is a by-the-numbers RPG, nothing new, nothing special. Its quests are simple and dull, the story is average 90's kiddy Nintendo rubbish. Combat feels realy old. This is not modern, not new, its forOne thing we've all learned today. No matter how "respectible" a gaming website/magazine claims to be they all swoon and crumble over that unmerited, nostalgia-blighted, might of Nintendo. Zelda is a by-the-numbers RPG, nothing new, nothing special. Its quests are simple and dull, the story is average 90's kiddy Nintendo rubbish. Combat feels realy old. This is not modern, not new, its for people trapped in a 90's/2000's time-warp. This is 2017 ffs! I've been gaming since the micro computers of the 80's and I can tell you that this is definitely money for old rope. Now, did Nintendo buy good reviews? Probably not. But there are other ways to ensure great reviews than buying them (like Bathesda holding back future review copies to some websites?) Be nice or you'll miss out.... something's definitely amiss with all these "masterpiece" reviews. This game isn't a masterpiece. Its just another open world RPG... yes, yet another.… Expand
  11. SMBA
    Mar 5, 2017
    9
    The game looks great, perfect graphics, perfect gameplay, good story, is one of the best in the series probably in the top 3, but not the best of the franchise
  12. Kakarot26
    Mar 5, 2017
    5
    The user score in this website is useless. It´s ridiculous there are basically only tens and zeros, and many of the reviews are obviously just with the purpose of giving the game a bad name because they simply dont´t like nintendo or don´t own the console, but not because they think the game is bad. It´s funny that when you look into some of the profiles which are posting reviews, many ofThe user score in this website is useless. It´s ridiculous there are basically only tens and zeros, and many of the reviews are obviously just with the purpose of giving the game a bad name because they simply dont´t like nintendo or don´t own the console, but not because they think the game is bad. It´s funny that when you look into some of the profiles which are posting reviews, many of the guys who are giving this a 0, have given a 10 to Horizon Zero Dawn and the other way around. It seems like this is some kind of fanboy wars, with each trying to prove their respective console is better.

    The only thing you achieve by this is not helping people like me, who come to this website in order to get an idea of how good a game is, and end up mad because they realize most of the reviews are not trustworthy or honest. It really sucks.    … Expand
  13. bfrposh
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really didn't want to give this game a 10/10. It's more 9.8 out of ten as the game is astonishing but it is not without it's very slight flaws.

    You take Ocarina of Time level exploration and you ramp it up 500%. There is so much to do and see along with challenging side quests to keep you focused on something.

    The shrine system is brilliant as you can challenge these in any order you wish and they bring back the puzzle solving of old. Familiar side quests (I've lost my cuckoos!) and characters from across the franchises many games. If i'm honest I have only really played Link Between Worlds and Ocarina of Time properly over the years so I wouldn't be able to comment and contrast with other games in the franchise but this takes elements from these games and perfects them. The game encourages you to think creatively to complete tasks and not just mash the melee button until you win.

    The very very slight downside is the small frame rate drop at certain parts. This doesn't make the game unplayable but it does very slightly detract from a masterpiece of game design.

    I found myself unable to turn the game off. Need to ween myself away in time for the working week!    … Expand
  14. Aoryu
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    OOT siempre fue mi favorito, todo indica a que breath of the wild viene para muchos a quedar en un pedestal aun mas alto. Y es que todo es fantastico en este juego... todo tiene un sentido y un por que... Realmente una Obra Maestra!
  15. RealMido
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    What sets the open world of this game is that you look at horizon you will see a landmark so you can play without the mini-map. the climbing on every surface is very useful to explore the world. Game mechanics all open up in the first area in the game, so you can explore at your own pace. The game tends to reward you for exploration and at the same time I never felt overwhelmed by howWhat sets the open world of this game is that you look at horizon you will see a landmark so you can play without the mini-map. the climbing on every surface is very useful to explore the world. Game mechanics all open up in the first area in the game, so you can explore at your own pace. The game tends to reward you for exploration and at the same time I never felt overwhelmed by how large the world is. Must play for fans and a lovely introduction for first timers.… Expand
  16. Slopes4Sale
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Best game ever made, slighty better than Horizon, that is a very good game too.

    The soundtrack is simple and immersive, makes you feel that you're in the game, love it.
  17. KingDrizzy101
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Very good game good game play, soundtrack, graphics and story. Well done nintendo the hype for this game for this game for many years and you kept your word and gave us a solid experience in the end
  18. Jinh86
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    It's embarrassing to read the silly reasons that people use to give 0 to this poetry of game. It's extremely fun and immersive, very good use of cell shading and stunning in all the key points that a videogame should have.

    If you don't like that Nintendo did it again, don't vote 0 with stupid reasons...that's really dumb.
  19. jgonterman
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    First of all, I would like to address the fact that people who are giving this game a 0/10 haven't played it. Do NOT let them troll you because they are fanboys of another system, and don't want to see a game getting better than ANY reviews their exclusives have gotten.

    A little bit about me : I would like to state that I am a Zelda fanboy. I won't try to make you believe anything    First of all, I would like to address the fact that people who are giving this game a 0/10 haven't played it. Do NOT let them troll you because they are fanboys of another system, and don't want to see a game getting better than ANY reviews their exclusives have gotten.

    A little bit about me : I would like to state that I am a Zelda fanboy. I won't try to make you believe anything different. I have beaten 18 out of the now 21 main title Zeldas (Phantom Hourglass and A Link Between Worlds being the two I never beat nor played). So, although it seems that I could be biased, I'd like to think of it as I am seasoned, and know my way around a good Zelda title.

    Now, onto the review (20 hours in) : THIS GAME IS STUNNING. The soundtrack is at it's best, up there with OOT and Wind Waker, in my opinion. The Gameplay Mechanics are amazing. There is no game out there that utilizes so many mechanics in ALL the right ways. From the best fighting we've seen in Zelda, to the climbing, swimming, flying, and more, this game is amazing in all facets of gameplay. The physics have to be the best of any game I've ever played. From weighted objects rolling down hills, to flying feeling actually reasonable, to aiming the bow feeling realistic, to the weight of items slowing you down, you won't find better physics ANYWHERE. The graphics are top notch. Some give it a knock because it is not "photo-realism" like Horizon Zero Dawn. First of all, Horizon isn't (I own it), and Zelda is not meant to be like that. It is heavily Japanese animated, and this is the best form of it that I have ever seen. If you want to see it at it's best, watch videos showing of the grass. In my opinion it is even better than Horizon. The story is FANTASTIC so far. Trust me, I was in the group of wanting to disown voice acting in Zelda, but they pull it off really well. The whole game isn't voice acted like so many thought, just story cutscenes, and I think it brings even more life to an already stunning game. The sheer storytelling itself is great, and every time I put the game down, I canNOT wait to get back on and progress!

    Those are the outstanding aspects of the game. So, does the game lack? Are there any faults at all!? Yes, but hardly. There are subtle framerate drops, although I've only noticed this in the mobile mode, not once on TV mode. The gyro controls should be optional. There are a few shrines (no spoilers) where gyro controls are necessary, and I find this dumb as the puzzles aren't hard to figure out at all, it's just forced gyro. I would have much rather seen a hard mind puzzle like Zelda is greatly known for. That being said, those are the only negatives I can speak of so far. I'm being serious. The ONLY ones. This coming from a fan who can be VERY critical of Zelda games.

    Now to the most important aspect of ANY game. The experience. On paper, this game is perfect. You can tell that from any review. Is the gameplay/soundtrack/graphics/etc. good? Well, it's AMAZING. So what about the FEEL of the game? It's perfect. This game has been knocked for influences of Assassin's Creed and Skyrim, but that's what makes it so great. Yes, you can argue those influences, but that's what makes it so great. It grabs minor influences from some of the best RPGs of all time, and culminates it into an original Zelda experience, that in my mind creates the best game that I've ever played. Anything you think you can do in this game, you can. For example, I was getting pissed off at this apple on a tree that I couldn't climb too. So, I shot an arrow at it. Subconsciously I thought that the arrow and apple would disappear like it probably would in any game, but then the apple with the arrow fell on the ground, and I was able to pick up the apple and retrieve my arrow. Yes, it's subtle, but it blew my mind. The smallest things will grasp your attention in this masterpiece! If you drop a torch on the ground, grass will set aflame. If there is wind, it will affect your arrows. The game truly immerses you in it's world and it feels GREAT! On another note, I've never felt the sense of exploration and freedom in any other game EVER (this coming from a nerd who put over 1,000 hours on Skyrim). If you see anything in this game, you can get there. That's what is so amazing about this game. I got side tracked by 2 hours climbing up a mountain just for kicks, and when I got to the top there were unexpected things to my surprise that I would not have known unless I climbed it! This game is captivating, and everything I do feels like an adventure!

    I haven't played a game like it, and I can't wait to put 100 hours into it, and then hopefully 100 more! If you have a Switch, this title is a no-brainer. If you have a Wii U, and don't plan on buying a Switch, this title is a no-brainer.

    In short, don't listen to the haters. They're jealous of the closest to perfect a video game has ever been. In my opinion, this is the best game I have EVER played.

    10/10.    … Expand
  20. SirEpicPigeon
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    I'm in love. This game isn't just a good Zelda game, it's an amazing free roaming experience in general. The freedom and sense of exploring they give you is beyond imagination. Yes I am a big Nintendo fan and I want them to succeed but(!), this game exceeded even the expectations of the Hype train.
  21. Xharos
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    This game is a true masterpiece that will inspire future games for years to come, just like Ocarina of Time. It's perfect on every single way, I don't even think this game has one single flaw. Truly the best work Nintendo has done to date, and possibly the best game of all time.
  22. andrewbrown
    Mar 5, 2017
    5
    I don't know if gutting a tightly knit story was worth it for a sandbox/survival experience. It was boring. My guess is nintendo fans have never touched a sandbox game before so its fresh for them, but these are old game mechanics that already lead to a repetitive experience. Its a vast world that will be forgotten.
  23. xTZ
    Mar 5, 2017
    7
    It is a very nice game but the score people give is about 60% only because it is zelda and they loved the old games this is not something new it is a good mix of other games nothing more and nothing less.
  24. ippo16
    Mar 5, 2017
    9
    i give 9 just because I would like better graphics, but the details are too much, everything is well colored, the worlds are different each other, quest are difficult and also the side quest as well, I am ps4 uset but i got to admit game of the year, sorry horizon zero dawn, but we have a winner
  25. otakudbz
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    I hate how people are giving negative scores just because the game has 98/100 on Metacritic.

    Breath of the Wild is an amazing game. The soundtrack is great, the graphics are not even bad as people are saying, and the gameplay is totally different from the other Zelda Games. Nintendo once again made a game that changed the gaming industry forever. The story-telling is also amazing as    I hate how people are giving negative scores just because the game has 98/100 on Metacritic.

    Breath of the Wild is an amazing game. The soundtrack is great, the graphics are not even bad as people are saying, and the gameplay is totally different from the other Zelda Games. Nintendo once again made a game that changed the gaming industry forever. The story-telling is also amazing as well.

    Congratulations, Nintendo. You made another masterpiece.    … Expand
  26. DarthSidious63
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Breath of the Wild recaptures the awe and wonder when us longtime fans of the Zelda series got when we first played Ocarina of Time with it's open world and Nintendo perfected it.
  27. Panzidane
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Basicamente é um dos melhores jogos que eu tive a oportunidade de jogar na vida. Achei o jogo fantástico, parece uma pintura feita a mão. Simplesmente sensacional. Somente Zelda é Zelda e manter essa magia por tantos anos inovando a franquia mostra que outras empresas tem muito o que aprender com a Nintendo.
  28. Rickythomas
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    This ain't horizon, Skyrim THIS IS THE LEGEND OF ZELDA! I wish I'm able to give 11 out of 10! The art style is great, the world is beautiful and so much to do. I just want to lay on the grass and feel the freedom of the game.
  29. Alexzxzx
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Mai visto un gioco del genere, riprende tutto dei precendenti capitoli, personalizzabile in qualunque cosa, una liberà d'azione immensa, openworld stupendo, dettagliato in tutto e per tutto, perita il 98/100, a parer mio il miglior videogioco di tutti i tempi, al passo con ocarina of time
  30. MEANTOCOELSPRYO
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Dont check the user rate for this one because its full of salty sonyers,This game is probably the best game of all history of gaming even above zelda ocarina of time which its my favourite,but right now only for the nostalgia factor because this game its better.Graphics are beautiful and the fps drops are not that common so dont trust all the bad notes that this game is getting in theDont check the user rate for this one because its full of salty sonyers,This game is probably the best game of all history of gaming even above zelda ocarina of time which its my favourite,but right now only for the nostalgia factor because this game its better.Graphics are beautiful and the fps drops are not that common so dont trust all the bad notes that this game is getting in the users,BECAUSE ITS A PERFECT GAME AND SONYERS ARE JEALOUS… 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

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 »