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. LucasBilva
    Mar 9, 2017
    10
    This game is seriously good. Ignore the trolls. The same ones keep making new accounts to tank the user score. I've literally sunk over 50 hours in the week it's been out and I'm not even close to the end. There is so much to discover in this game that I feel like rushing the main story doesn't such a disservice. I really love the climbing aspect of the game. It adds a whole new dimensionThis game is seriously good. Ignore the trolls. The same ones keep making new accounts to tank the user score. I've literally sunk over 50 hours in the week it's been out and I'm not even close to the end. There is so much to discover in this game that I feel like rushing the main story doesn't such a disservice. I really love the climbing aspect of the game. It adds a whole new dimension to the world. Instead of looking at roads, you look at cliff and and towers. I never expected Nintendo to pull of a game like this. Also, the frame rate issues are overblown. It's bad in the opening area but I haven't noticed it since.… Expand
  2. LaLaLakers
    Mar 10, 2017
    10
    Guys....this game is seriously good. Like Ocarina of Time good. Can't say that I've been too happy with Nintendo in recent years. Especially with their strict Youtube policies. But this makes up for it. Zelda finally added a system for tracking quests. The lack of this made me give Skyward Sword a bad rating. Also no more gimmicky motion controls. A solid, fluid combat system. Probably theGuys....this game is seriously good. Like Ocarina of Time good. Can't say that I've been too happy with Nintendo in recent years. Especially with their strict Youtube policies. But this makes up for it. Zelda finally added a system for tracking quests. The lack of this made me give Skyward Sword a bad rating. Also no more gimmicky motion controls. A solid, fluid combat system. Probably the best combat system ever implemented in a sand box open world.. I love how vibrant and colorful the world is. Nintendo was really able to make the game beautiful despite using low quality textures. As gamers, we are blessed to have so many great titles Between Zelda, Nioh, Horizon, and Nier, I've been keeping myself quite busy :)… Expand
  3. Drawnimo
    Mar 11, 2017
    10
    I am not a Legend of Zelda fan, but I have played a few of the previous games. That being said, I have only three words to say to you: BUY. THIS. MASTERPIECE.
  4. DMJohn0X
    Mar 23, 2017
    7
    The best Zelda game? Maybe. Personally, LttP will always be the quintessential Zelda experience. But we are talking about BotW.

    This game is a great entry into the 3D open world genre and the physics system is quite fun, allowing you do float objects with baloons. On the surface, it doesnt seem very special, but later when you find yourself bombing grass for flames just to swap to your    The best Zelda game? Maybe. Personally, LttP will always be the quintessential Zelda experience. But we are talking about BotW.

    This game is a great entry into the 3D open world genre and the physics system is quite fun, allowing you do float objects with baloons. On the surface, it doesnt seem very special, but later when you find yourself bombing grass for flames just to swap to your parachute to use the wind currents generated by the flames to drop in on an unsuspecting encampment and you gain an appreciation for the nuances this system lends to your playstyle.

    The story is good for a Zelda game, but don't expect an epic tale of any sort. The worst here is how lame Gannon feels in this game. He doesnt come across as particularly powerful and dont expect to learn much about his character or motives. He's simply the generic bad guy this time around and hardly memorable.

    Now the bad.

    The UI is awful, you cant reassign buttons, they arent intuitive, and early game weapons break often times every other screen making the first 6 hours of the game feel like an exercise in menu navigation management. The interface doesnt lend well to how many weapons drops given your limited inventory space. Due to the frequency by which your weapons break, the band aid fix was to throw a limitless supply of loot at you so often you'll find yourself spending far too much time browsing your inventory and dropping weapons to pick up new ones, until you get to the point where you wont pick stuff up anymore.

    Another issue is the lack of music, much of the game is supported by ambient noise and what music is here, isnt anything compared to older games in the series.

    Lastly, On NX Switch, the game suffers frequent frame drops and stuttering in docked 900p mode. This is mostly resolved in portable mode. And DigitalFoundry on youtube has done a great video on documenting this topic.

    Ultimately, I can only give this game a 7.5 out of 10. This game was a GREAT Zelda game, but just missed the mark on several issues and ultimately takes a hit due to performance. I think many of these reviewers are doing a disservice rating botw 10/10 which should be reserved for Genre defining works of art rather than just a good game.    … Expand
  5. Texxy
    May 10, 2017
    7
    Breath of the Wild is beautiful. It's enormous and abundant in exploration possibilities. It's challenging and very rewarding to those who take the time to master it.
    Almost completely ruined by the weapon breaking mechanic, which made it very easy to walk away from.
  6. jeffbizloc
    May 31, 2017
    7
    The more I thought about it the more I did not think this was anywhere close to a perfect game. It was still good overall with the bonus being a Zelda game.

    Pros: - Excellent puzzles in the shrines - The 4 dungeons though small were also excellent - The world was overall pretty good as far as traveling and climbing - The runes were a lot of fun and sort of go along with the    The more I thought about it the more I did not think this was anywhere close to a perfect game. It was still good overall with the bonus being a Zelda game.

    Pros:
    - Excellent puzzles in the shrines
    - The 4 dungeons though small were also excellent
    - The world was overall pretty good as far as traveling and climbing
    - The runes were a lot of fun and sort of go along with the enjoyment of puzzles

    Cons:
    - Weapon system just not a fan of the unrealistic durability
    - I love Zelda music. This game did not have that epic exploring feel. I understand in the open world for realness but give it as an option or make the 4 dungeons have that awesome music.
    - No achievements. Ok that is on the system but I feel to get all the shrines and do all the upgrading is entirely unnecessary to beat the game. Why have all these sidequests and large universe if they don't really matter for the end goal.
    - Too easy. You don't need to do much to easily beat the game. A couple health potions is all you need.
    - Combat. Basic overall. I did like some of the techniques used on the bosses that were creative but overall it was basic and unchallenging.
    - Enemies were very sparse. The ones you do find in the overworld I am not sure the point of fighting them.
    - Crafting I am not a big fan of in general. I am sure Zelda does it fine here but again you don't really need much of it.
    - Stamina meter. Wait it takes stamina to run and climb but not in combat?    … Expand
  7. Cdom
    Oct 1, 2017
    6
    The game itself may be fun at first but the more you play it the more dull it feels the combat isn't very interesting and the types of weapons that aren't just different because of their higher damage, is low and the enemies aren't much of a threat if you think that the "Master" mode will be more difficult you are wrong, what is actually does is make gameplay MORE dull and boring as theThe game itself may be fun at first but the more you play it the more dull it feels the combat isn't very interesting and the types of weapons that aren't just different because of their higher damage, is low and the enemies aren't much of a threat if you think that the "Master" mode will be more difficult you are wrong, what is actually does is make gameplay MORE dull and boring as the enemies have more health and regenerate said health making any strategy that doesn't involve damaging the enemy every 2.5 seconds invalid. The map design although is pretty enjoyable and by far the best part of the game is just exploring and doing puzzles but even then the puzzles can be pretty dull sometimes. There is also very little true adventure in the game it never feels as though you really are at risk, making you just get bored and listen to a podcast or something while walking through the open plains of hyrule.… Expand
  8. Dangem91
    Jul 10, 2017
    7
    The game is very good, but not the masterpiece everybody is overrating.

    The game is amazing when it comes to the sense of adventure. Exploration element is good. It is very immersive as you feel like you have to take notice of everything around you, cook food, take shelter, hunt, change armor depending on area. The art style really suits it. Main quest is good. Shrine puzzles are    The game is very good, but not the masterpiece everybody is overrating.

    The game is amazing when it comes to the sense of adventure.
    Exploration element is good.
    It is very immersive as you feel like you have to take notice of everything around you, cook food, take shelter, hunt, change armor depending on area.
    The art style really suits it.
    Main quest is good.
    Shrine puzzles are awesome.
    Sound and music are good.
    Game word is diverse in terms of areas but not in terms of enemy diversity.
    After the boasting that Nintendo did about how Zelda is 1.5 times bigger than skyrim map, there are only 8 types of enemies with some enemies having different forms ice, fire, red, blue, etc.

    Cons/needs improvement:
    The game falls short when it comes to actual progression of your character; By this i mean your character will not be any different than your friend who's also playing the game.
    This is a weak area in BotW when compared to the likes of Elder scrolls or Witcher where you have to upgrade skills and stats.

    In Zelda the only choice you get to make when it comes to character progression/customization is whether you want to upgrade your health or stamina.
    Even when it comes to armors, most of the time you will be using a specific armor set not because its strong or looks cool but because you have to (in volcano area you need to equip the flamebreaker armor set for fire resistance, In desert area you need to equip the Gerudo armor for heat resistance, same for when it's raining you need shockproof armor or when its color you need cold resistance).

    Weapons break after 30 seconds of using them means the game is basically treating an the weapon system as scraps/tools to use and throw away after a few slashes, instead of encouraging exploration to get a weapon that you want and grow attached to it.

    Fighting monsters in the wild is pretty useless since you don't gain anything and lose more weapons.

    Side quests are also a bit boring and bland. While some might argue it is a good thing that the game does not tell you where on the map you must go to complete a side quest to encourage exploration and immersion, and i agree to the extent that the side quest is interesting.
    In Zelda's case most side quests are so basic (go fetch "add here") that doing them does not feel worth the time since you rarely get anything noteworthy as a reward.    … Expand
  9. bezio22
    Jun 7, 2017
    10
    Just perfect, full of content, pretty cool quests, shrines that use movement of the console are just amazing and a pleasure to solve. Exploration is very rewarding. Graphics in the handheld mode are just mind blowing, music is scarce but gives a nice atmosphere and plays at right moments. Characters are memorable and feel real. Combat is very good, and rewards better players. Also shootingJust perfect, full of content, pretty cool quests, shrines that use movement of the console are just amazing and a pleasure to solve. Exploration is very rewarding. Graphics in the handheld mode are just mind blowing, music is scarce but gives a nice atmosphere and plays at right moments. Characters are memorable and feel real. Combat is very good, and rewards better players. Also shooting your bow and using powers with the use of your own movement is perfect, aiming on console never was so good.… Expand
  10. whiteclover
    Nov 13, 2017
    10
    This game is incredible. I am not a fan of open map games, but this one change my view about them. Visually, it is incredible.. and the storyline is even better. I did not expect it to be as good as Ocarina of time, but it was. 10/10
  11. Gumzik
    Jun 24, 2017
    10
    I would give 9,5 but i cant so that's why it's 10. Amazing open world, u can basically do whatever you want if you want to rush and kill last boss you can do it or i killed this divine beast last and you killed it first. You have a lot of armors to choose from like climbing and swimming armors that can really boost your climbing/swimming speed and make those things enjoyable. Many weaponsI would give 9,5 but i cant so that's why it's 10. Amazing open world, u can basically do whatever you want if you want to rush and kill last boss you can do it or i killed this divine beast last and you killed it first. You have a lot of armors to choose from like climbing and swimming armors that can really boost your climbing/swimming speed and make those things enjoyable. Many weapons to choose with different attack speed plus you have special powers like freezing time of some things or even monsters. A lot of shrines to find and figure out. 3 things i would add are fishing rod, unbreakable weapons and more dubbing… Expand
  12. NightmareShade
    Apr 12, 2018
    10
    My score is outdated but now that I finish the game , it became one of my favorites games in the zelda franchise , it has his flaws but overall is a really awesome game , it deserved the GotY completely
  13. kyoko14
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    De los mejores zeldas que e jugado, un mundo muy extenso y al igual que el 1er zelda empiezas por donde tu quieras ir y en el orden que tu quieras ir descubirendo todo lo que tiene, sin nada de juego lineal o aburrido, lo que lo hace muy entretenido
  14. Orim
    May 2, 2018
    10
    Absolute masterpiece! It puts a twist to the zelda series and probably one of the best open world game out there!
  15. BeaQueen
    Mar 4, 2017
    10
    The Legend of Zelda meets Skyrim/Minecraft. A great mixture of majestic game mechanics, beautiful art, innovation and that nostalgia feeling that every Zelda game gives to its players. I've spend 6 hours playing and I can't wait to play it more.
    Bad points: No HD rumble and, before the update, the frame rate had some issues playing on the tv. Now it only occurs when the system is about to    The Legend of Zelda meets Skyrim/Minecraft. A great mixture of majestic game mechanics, beautiful art, innovation and that nostalgia feeling that every Zelda game gives to its players. I've spend 6 hours playing and I can't wait to play it more.
    Bad points: No HD rumble and, before the update, the frame rate had some issues playing on the tv. Now it only occurs when the system is about to save the game.
    Perfection may not exist but, if every game were an exam and we had to score them, The Legend of Zelda is a 10/10 for Nintendo.    … Expand
  16. Senpapi
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    I feel sad for the troll reviewers who don't even dish out substance, only shallow reasons. Graphics=/= Greatness. Breath of the Wild has proven this. At the center of gaming is the sense of "fun", those are what games should be, not just a pretty looking, moving mural. Breath of the Wild brings what other open world games haven't exactly done, giving us a truly "open" world. You are atI feel sad for the troll reviewers who don't even dish out substance, only shallow reasons. Graphics=/= Greatness. Breath of the Wild has proven this. At the center of gaming is the sense of "fun", those are what games should be, not just a pretty looking, moving mural. Breath of the Wild brings what other open world games haven't exactly done, giving us a truly "open" world. You are at the wheel of this ride. You drive it to its eventual route, not the other way around as what games have been lately, and this is coming from someone who mainly plays on PC. Neglecting what it holds just cause it's a Nintendo game or its Zelda or it looks cartoony and childish is mind boggling. Undertale should've taught you this lesson already as it was arguably one of the most well acclaimed games during 2015. Breath of the Wild is a breath of fresh air from games that have been suffering from an overly similar style of play. Games as of late are either GTA clones or Batman Arkham clones. They become either shooters or beat-em ups. Breath of the Wild takes what is already there and refines it. I cannot possibly stress enough that of how many games I've come across, Breath of the Wild brings the "open" to open world. Open to exploration, open to possibilities, and only open to your imagination.… Expand
  17. InuOsk
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    Stunning game, really well polished BOTW knows exactly what it is and capitalizes on that. Rarely do you find a game so comfortable with itself. 10/10 would highly recommend for any switch user as an essential game to experience.
  18. Xixard
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    Puede que el juego no te guste o no haya salido para tu consola favorita, pero de ahí a evaluarlo con un 0, hay que estar mal de la cabeza, es un juegazo de aquellos, candidato fijo a juego del año.
  19. iceburn91
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    This game is like watching a Ghibli movie. Every place is pretty detail and tells a story if you pay attention. The world feels alive and have a lot of hidden secrets. Exploration is really rewarding you can climb, jump, swim, skate the mountains and fly.

    Music is not heavily present but that is great because the world and exploration is the focus point of this game, the music is only    This game is like watching a Ghibli movie. Every place is pretty detail and tells a story if you pay attention. The world feels alive and have a lot of hidden secrets. Exploration is really rewarding you can climb, jump, swim, skate the mountains and fly.

    Music is not heavily present but that is great because the world and exploration is the focus point of this game, the music is only something used to better express emotions in certain moments that brings refreshing rhytms to the visuals. Also think about when you go to a new place to a mountain or a forest you really have quiet moments where you listen to your surroundings, birds, wind, leafs and so on and I think this game captures that feeling really well. Try to go to a new city for exemple and you will notice that your additive system will get more aware because you are experiencing something new.
    Artistically this game is really appealing with a lot of colours and a imaginary look that let your imagination fly.

    In terms of gameplay I find it really interesting because I hate when a game give's you weapons and armor that breaks but in this game I find it interesting because I teach you to use your resources well like in real life you have to take care of your things and also the message that nothings lives for ever, don't get attach to objects because that is not what makes your journey. So I find this interesting if we think about what to we carry after a journy what stay with us, what really matters?

    Story wise I think is a good classic type of story where everyone can relate with.

    Breath of the wild for me is a 10 :) because if you think about what you are playing you can see how much detail the gave to this world.    … Expand
  20. Bertoflyingfox
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    It's a perfect open-world game. Tons of things to explore, hundreds of ways to survive the world, interesting enemies, and all tied up in a great story. I'm no where near done, but what's been played is absolutely enthralling.

    Oh yeah, organic climbing. I cannot stress how refreshing it is to be able to climb nearly anything without having to worry about climbable anchor points.
  21. Zero20659
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Una sola palabra, increible, creo que muchos haters que ni siquiera compraron el juego están puntuando negativamente solo por odio, porque cómo es posible puntuar un juego el mismo dia que sale? y no decir nada de la historia y solo basar sus críticas en trailers del juego? es absurdo, se nota que no lo han jugado porque uno dice "el juego tiene caidas todo el tiempo y es injugable" eso esUna sola palabra, increible, creo que muchos haters que ni siquiera compraron el juego están puntuando negativamente solo por odio, porque cómo es posible puntuar un juego el mismo dia que sale? y no decir nada de la historia y solo basar sus críticas en trailers del juego? es absurdo, se nota que no lo han jugado porque uno dice "el juego tiene caidas todo el tiempo y es injugable" eso es mentira, la verdad es la siguiente, ¿el juego tiene caídas? Si, pero son poquísimas y no duran mas de uno o dos segundos, llevo 2 dias jugando y las caídas han sido tan poco perceptibles que ni las he notado. Mi opinión es que no gastes tiempo leyendo las criticas negativas del juego, todas las hicieron el mismo dia haters y sin importar que tan malas sean no van a cambiar lo que el juego es en si, si te haz jugado todos los juegos de zelda, notarás que siempre cumplen lo que prometen, siempre son juegazos y este no es la excepción. felicidades nintendo.… Expand
  22. IF72
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Una maravillosa historia, mundo enorme lleno de vida. De lo mejor de esta década sin lugar a dudas. Un juego para pasar horas y horas descubriendo este espectacular mundo, con enemigos mas difíciles y llenos de vida. han introducido muchas mecánicas nuevas enriqueciendo el juego una barbaridad. Es sin duda 10/10… Expand
  23. arthurogrande
    Mar 7, 2017
    10
    Nintendo is back!
    Pls believe me. This is why we loved nintendo years ago..
    I did lost hope in the last years to be honest.
    And of course I had big expectations, but this game even overcome it.
    Sorry I cannot put to words how great this game is.

    Just believe me that this is the modern Ocarina of Time + even more.
    This really deserves a 11/10
  24. Sabo0man
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    Sin duda un juego revolucionario que reinventa lo que conocemos por videojuego, un mundo abierto lleno de vida y posibilades como nunca habiamos visto, un sistema de recolección, caza y cocina con una cantidad de variantes abrumadora, jugabilidad en el sentido mas puro el jugador lleva el control de todo lo que sucede en pantalla.
    Un sistema de fisicas que deslumbra. Y en el apartado    Sin duda un juego revolucionario que reinventa lo que conocemos por videojuego, un mundo abierto lleno de vida y posibilades como nunca habiamos visto, un sistema de recolección, caza y cocina con una cantidad de variantes abrumadora, jugabilidad en el sentido mas puro el jugador lleva el control de todo lo que sucede en pantalla.
    Un sistema de fisicas que deslumbra. Y en el apartado técnico que se puede decir, belleza hecha gráficos, me podría pasar horas hablando de como el apartado artístico y ambiental te envuelven de forma increible pero pienso que es algo tan personal que cada uno debe vivirlo por si mismo. En conclusión, juegazo del copón.    … Expand
  25. Pseudosaurus
    Mar 4, 2017
    10
    This game is a Zelda Masterpiece. It refines the conventions of Zelda to create the ultimate gaming experience with an incredible open-world that defeats those of Witcher 3, Skyrim and many more. By far, it is quite possibly the best Zelda game and a contender for the best game of all time.
  26. 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
  27. Magusdarkmatter
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    No necesitas tantas palabras para describir a esta obra de arte, lo que me impresiona más es el odio que esta belleza genera en los "Fanboys" de Microsoft y Sony. Me imagino que cuando no puedes tener algo, no te queda más que criticarlo lo más que puedas para tratar de ocultar tus inseguridades. Este juego viene a ser el mejor de la saga, lejos.
  28. MicaCrestana
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    I bought the Nintendo Switch only because of this game. My expectations were normal, just bought because everyone was talking about. I am surprise on how good the game is. The story is amazing, the world is big and full of secrets and stunning! Masterpiece!!
  29. emerald404
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    Great open world Zelda game!! Yes there are some flaws, but nothing that takes away from the overall experience of playing this amazing take on The Legend of Zelda series!! Honestly the mosr fun I have playing a game in quite a while.... Thanks Nintendo!!
  30. DracoNidhoggson
    Mar 5, 2017
    10
    It is amazing! A perfect balance between trials, enemies, exploration and story! The music was sublime! The little touches on the piano, those classic themes used in game, It simply improved everything we knew about The legend of Zelda. Certainly a Master piece, and certainly who ever says is a bad game and gives a low to 0 score is a Sony fanboy who want to stain this precious game and isIt is amazing! A perfect balance between trials, enemies, exploration and story! The music was sublime! The little touches on the piano, those classic themes used in game, It simply improved everything we knew about The legend of Zelda. Certainly a Master piece, and certainly who ever says is a bad game and gives a low to 0 score is a Sony fanboy who want to stain this precious game and is sad because of how good is making compared to their precious own Zelda Wannabe… 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 »