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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. rodericrinehart
    Jan 2, 2018
    10
    This is one of the greatest games of all time and could be number one. The way the refined a legendary formula with the most open-world, do-anything experience is refreshing in a sense no other game can handle. The story is weak, but everything else is 10/10 or better.
  2. lgndsgn
    Apr 13, 2017
    10
    How anyone could give Breath of the Wild less than a 9 is beyond me. It's a perfect 10 in my book. Of course there is always room for improvement, but what they have accomplished with BotW is one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had in gaming. I've been playing Zelda since the original NES version. If I had to compare it to previous games, I would say in light of renderingHow anyone could give Breath of the Wild less than a 9 is beyond me. It's a perfect 10 in my book. Of course there is always room for improvement, but what they have accomplished with BotW is one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had in gaming. I've been playing Zelda since the original NES version. If I had to compare it to previous games, I would say in light of rendering similarities, it's like a much better version of Wind Waker. The attention to detail all around is astounding, and I can see why it took such a large team and over 4 years to develop.

    First off, the game does a great ode to nature with it's beautiful environments. The flowers, rain showers, lightning storms, morphing clouds and atmospheres, varying temperatures, all changing in a day to night cycle creates an amazing environment to explore in. Link (and his items) are effected by the environment, which adds to immersiveness.

    The sound production is excellent. If you have a chance to play these on good speakers, you'll realize how much detail and thought went into the making of the sounds.

    The ONLY thing I feel they fell somewhat short on was the English voice acting. It's not BAD, but most of it is also not very good (made it feel like a cheesy cartoon), but luckily there is very little of that in the game.

    Anyways, this game is awesome, and if you don't like this game, you just don't like video games. This will go down as one of the best games ever made.    … Expand
  3. pittu
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    Incredible artstyle, polish and fun. The world is immense and the attention to every single detail is amazing. I don't think I've ever seen a game so beautifully crafted as Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
  4. realgamefan
    Mar 13, 2017
    10
    Masterpiece. Classic. Play It. That is really all that needs to be said about this excellent game. The graphics are beautiful and charming, the gameplay is fantastic and dynamic and the replayability is off the charts. :)
  5. Dead_Reckon
    May 21, 2018
    10
    This game is a masterpiece. It took a tried and true formula people loved and threw it out in order to create something new and the gamble was worth it. It's world is immersive, expansive, and enjoyable. It's mechanics while sometimes unforgiving, are well defined and mesh well together. It's story is one of the better told in the Zelda franchise, and the gameplay is fantastic.
  6. bishopknight
    Mar 16, 2017
    10
    Game is amazing. It doesnt hold your hand. It lets the player figure things out, which I love. It's HARD and it should be! It's Zelda, which originally was HARD as well. I will say, one minor thing is that there are not tons of monsters in the game, a lot use the same type like the moblins but again im nitpicking on an otherwise flawless game. 10/10
  7. Ciber
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    Pros:

    1.- Huge world to explore 2.- Open world with tons of possibilities. 3.- Full of options 4.- Combat is hard but you can decide how to fight them. 5.- Good art direction, Hyrule looks amazing. 6.- Music is always great when you like Zelda themes. 7.- you can cook your items, craft new stuff and as result Lynk is not always wearing the same green suit. Now you can change the    Pros:

    1.- Huge world to explore
    2.- Open world with tons of possibilities.
    3.- Full of options
    4.- Combat is hard but you can decide how to fight them.
    5.- Good art direction, Hyrule looks amazing.
    6.- Music is always great when you like Zelda themes.
    7.- you can cook your items, craft new stuff and as result Lynk is not always wearing the same green suit. Now you can change the armor, weapons.
    Cons:

    1.- Frame rate drops sometimes and is very noticeable.
    2.- 30 FPS cap
    3.- Difficulty is not balanced, sometimes you feel is a Dark Souls game and sometimes is very easy.
    4.- Weapons broken very fast sometimes.    … Expand
  8. DVader
    Sep 29, 2017
    10
    Excellent game.
    I bought the Pro Controller to play BOTW and I think it does make a difference. I have some problems with my left hand and using the larger buttons on the Pro Controller is easier to play the game.
    Also, I was able to get the BOTW amiibos and even though not really needed, they're helpful. Specially, at the beginning of the game.
  9. Verbal
    Mar 27, 2019
    10
    This is the most perfect game I’ve ever played, and worth buying the Nintendo Switch for this alone. One can easily sink 150+ hours in to completing the main game and expansion packs, and still be yearning for more when the game comes to an end. Caution, you may find yourself playing this until the sun comes up more than once!
  10. 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.
  11. knightmonkey
    Mar 29, 2017
    10
    Have played every Zelda since the first and this is by far the best so far, I'd go as far as saying the best game ever made. An absolute masterpiece of game design.

    It's everything an adventure game should be: - Lots of puzzles to solve - Lots of secrets to find - challenging but fair combat - lots of weapons/shields/bows/food to find and experiment with - Beautiful graphics -    Have played every Zelda since the first and this is by far the best so far, I'd go as far as saying the best game ever made. An absolute masterpiece of game design.

    It's everything an adventure game should be:
    - Lots of puzzles to solve
    - Lots of secrets to find
    - challenging but fair combat
    - lots of weapons/shields/bows/food to find and experiment with
    - Beautiful graphics
    - Great storyline (voice acting could be better)
    - Stunning music
    - SO MUCH to see and do I don't want it to end

    And to top it all off, you can take it with you on the portable Switch screen and carry playing wherever you are.

    In my opinion - gaming perfection.    … Expand
  12. andisart
    Mar 7, 2017
    10
    I've clocked in around 30 hours since release 5 days ago, but barely scratched the whole content of the game. There is so much still left to explore and discover, yet the time I spend so far was filled with wonder and excitement. The world of BotW is the star of this game! This is the best designed open-world I have ever played. Beautiful, alive, rewarding. What a pleasure to take in onI've clocked in around 30 hours since release 5 days ago, but barely scratched the whole content of the game. There is so much still left to explore and discover, yet the time I spend so far was filled with wonder and excitement. The world of BotW is the star of this game! This is the best designed open-world I have ever played. Beautiful, alive, rewarding. What a pleasure to take in on breath of this wild after the other.… Expand
  13. Jannis94
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    A return to form for one of the most beloved franchise in video game history. The open world is stunning, interesting and entertaining. Probably the best Zelda ever and maybe the best game ever.
  14. viachicago22
    May 7, 2017
    10
    Seriously amazing. And I'm not a gamer. It's so immersive but not overwhelming. It's challenging without being frustrating. It's fun. It's funny. Beautiful art and music. Best game I've ever played.
  15. daemeh
    Apr 4, 2019
    10
    First of all, I'm not a Zelda fan. The Switch is the first Nintendo console I ever owned, and BOTW is the first Zelda game I've played. I'm an average PC gamer, playing a few hours a week only, I only recently managed to finish The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and I loved it. BOTW is more fun for me than TW3:WH because it's so easy to pick up and get something done: exploring, shrines, koroks,First of all, I'm not a Zelda fan. The Switch is the first Nintendo console I ever owned, and BOTW is the first Zelda game I've played. I'm an average PC gamer, playing a few hours a week only, I only recently managed to finish The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and I loved it. BOTW is more fun for me than TW3:WH because it's so easy to pick up and get something done: exploring, shrines, koroks, side quests. But the best thing about this game for me is the constant surprises even after 100h into the game(I'm at the 3rd divine beast). The side quests are varied and interesting, the characters believable(in the fantasy world they live in) and the traveling can be as fast or slow as you desire. I think that the combat is perfect as well: because the weapons break, you need to be constantly swapping weapons for the target, enemies are always challenging(blood moon helps with that) and have very interesting AI(in the way they can interact with the environment, your bombs, or use anything as a weapon). Really, there's nothing else like this game. It's got more types of gameplay and more content than any other game I've played. I'm sure I'm going to play it again right after I finish it.… Expand
  16. Sadikusama
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    Believe the hype. I was skeptical at first, seeing so many 10s and 100s given out to this game. I went blindly into Breath of the Wild knowing nothing about it except for the main trailer of the game. Hours into the game I can only agree: this game is a masterpiece.

    There is so much contect, so many things to do, so many places to explore. You are given complete freedom in this    Believe the hype. I was skeptical at first, seeing so many 10s and 100s given out to this game. I went blindly into Breath of the Wild knowing nothing about it except for the main trailer of the game. Hours into the game I can only agree: this game is a masterpiece.

    There is so much contect, so many things to do, so many places to explore. You are given complete freedom in this adventure, you can even try to beat the game as soon as you start. Freedom and exploration are perhaps the best gameplay aspects, without leaving behind the sheer amount of actions possible: cooking, riding horseback, climbing... Whether you actually beat the story is also up to you, there is so much to invest in this game you might never grow bored of it.

    Go play this game. Now. This isn't your typical 10/10 game, it goes beyond that. This game is now videogame history.    … Expand
  17. lowkey42o
    May 12, 2020
    10
    No game has ever made me feel like I'm hiking but I have near super powers. No game has deserved an 11 more. I really would love to interview the people who down rated this and dissect whether they hate the game or got obsessed with minor flaws. I hope next generation elder scrolls take some qs.
  18. johnardo
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    Stunning in every way, While everyone thought that this Zelda would just copy new games and lose its identity, it showed everyone else how its done. What an amazing time to be a gamer
  19. Xaphnir
    May 6, 2020
    10
    One of the best games I've ever played.

    This game does the open world concept better than any other game I know of. Almost anywhere you can see, you can go to. And the game's mechanics and physics allow the most creative problem solving I know of in a game.
  20. Kentathon
    Mar 27, 2017
    10
    Happy to say I can now safely change my review of the game from a measly 3/10, thanks Nintendo for finally getting some Switch in stock! It's fantastic, and easily the best Zelda to date. If this is what the future of the Switch looks like, this is going to be a killer console.

    The game gives you a vast open world to play in and a lot of tools to do so with. It's the biggest Zelda ever.
  21. xDeniz
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    Down with the fake reviews! I totally own this game and it is awesome!Playing it on the Nintendo Switch is great! I hope Nintendo can launch other great games during Switch Life Time.
  22. worldcitizen19
    Nov 10, 2017
    10
    10/10. Loving it. Worth the price of a Switch. Always challenging. You can’t take anything for granted. Inspired many other games. Been playing all day on my 4K tv.
  23. Forneray
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    The result, for all the longevity of its series and the familiarity of the open-world genre, is a game that evokes feelings we haven’t known for 20 years. Not since Ocarina Of Time have we set foot in a world that seems so mind-bogglingly vast, that feels so unerringly magical, that proves so relentlessly intriguing. Plenty of games promise to let us go anywhere and do anything; few, ifThe result, for all the longevity of its series and the familiarity of the open-world genre, is a game that evokes feelings we haven’t known for 20 years. Not since Ocarina Of Time have we set foot in a world that seems so mind-bogglingly vast, that feels so unerringly magical, that proves so relentlessly intriguing. Plenty of games promise to let us go anywhere and do anything; few, if any, ever deliver on it so irresistibly. Nineteen years on, Ocarina is still held up as the high-water mark of one of gaming’s best-loved – and greatest – series. Now it may have to settle for second place.… Expand
  24. drlowdon
    Sep 17, 2018
    10
    The Zelda series has long been amongst the most famous in gaming but, in all honesty, I’ve only even been a minor fan and actually found the last two console entries (Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword) pretty dull. The overfamiliar structure, that hadn’t really evolved since Ocarina of Time, coupled with the constant hand holding and interruptions of NPCs meant that Zelda seemed to beThe Zelda series has long been amongst the most famous in gaming but, in all honesty, I’ve only even been a minor fan and actually found the last two console entries (Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword) pretty dull. The overfamiliar structure, that hadn’t really evolved since Ocarina of Time, coupled with the constant hand holding and interruptions of NPCs meant that Zelda seemed to be running out of ideas. How wrong I was……..

    Virtually every issue I’ve had with the series of late seems to have been solved. The first example is the excellent tutorial section on the Great Plateau which, rather than trying to explain all the different controls and concepts through dull text, teaches all the basics by simply allowing the player to explore a limited area of the map. Once you gain access to the glider that allows you to leave the plateau things you’ll quickly realise just how big this open world is and guess what? You can go anywhere you want! There’s no artificial restrictions or areas you can’t access without finding a certain item, Breath of the Wild shows you this world to explore and then actually lets you explore it.

    One of the main things to discover are the shrines, there are around 300 I believe and completing the tasks inside of each rewards the player with orbs that can be used to increase your life or stamina (which is vital for climbing). Unlike the dungeons in previous Zelda titles these never outstay their welcome as they only take 5-10 minutes to complete for the most part and many introduce completely unique puzzles or concepts. Even better is the fact that many can be completed in more than one way and you’re actively encouraged to think outside the box.

    I could go on for pages about all the clever ideas in Breath of the Wild but I’ll finish by saying that, not only does it set a new standard for the Zelda series, it sets a new standard that open world games are going to find it very hard to match.    … Expand
  25. Quartz64
    Mar 12, 2017
    10
    A great game that could bring back the Zelda fun with the best ideas from great open world games, like Shadow of Colossus, Skyrim or Dragon Age, teaching that even a vast and desolate post-war world can be filled with adventures and variety.
  26. thekylekurtz
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    This game is a masterpiece. From the gameplay to the art style, the big open world and even the way it shows rather than tells you how to play, there is almost nothing that could be better, inconsistent frame rate aside. All the guys who made an account just to score it a 0 are sad and pathetic.
  27. Daniel_Campbell
    Mar 7, 2017
    10
    Truly a breathtaking game. It's not perfect, but it's close enough.

    Seriously, this game is amazing. In most open world games when you "climb the tower" you're inundated with icons that flood the map. In Zelda, it's up to you to chart your path. In so many games they tell you to look to the horizon and say, "See that mountain, you can go there". In Zelda that means something so much    Truly a breathtaking game. It's not perfect, but it's close enough.

    Seriously, this game is amazing. In most open world games when you "climb the tower" you're inundated with icons that flood the map. In Zelda, it's up to you to chart your path. In so many games they tell you to look to the horizon and say, "See that mountain, you can go there". In Zelda that means something so much more than how far you can go. You don't have to follow a specific path, you don't have to take the road some designer had laid out for you. It's up to YOU how and when you get there. What's more amazing is how the game rewards exploration. On your way to "The Mountain" you may see a valley, a flag pole, a shack, an adventure. Nintendo has proven with Zelda that the old saying, “It's not the destination, it's the journey” is true. My story of going to Death Mountain will be different from yours. The horse you tamed, the shrines you visit and the enemies you've slain will all feel different. Different, yet no less impactful than my journey was to me. To anyone hating on this game, I truly feel pity for them that they found themselves incapable of enjoying this masterpiece of game making. For the rest of us though, go. Go on YOUR adventure, and enjoy climbing YOUR mountain.

    Cons:
    Forced Motion Control
    Raining puts a Damper on climbing. Get it? "Damp(er)? DO YOU GET IT?!?!
    May be too difficult for some folks
    Some won't like weapon durability

    Pros:
    Everything else    … Expand
  28. rockyboss7
    Mar 10, 2017
    10
    Es una maravilla. Mundo abierto de verdad, sin relleno, nada sobra, todo tiene su sentido y está colocado ahí para algo. Las físicas que tiene, construyendo un mundo completamente vivo y con unas mecánicas perfectas hacen que este juego sea eso, perfecto.
  29. vbueso
    Apr 10, 2017
    10
    A must have game. Maybe the best sandbox ever and a master piece for all times. I don't understand the people who enter here to destroy the score. Y ahora en español. No entiendo como hay gente que entra aquí a bajarle la nota a esta obra maestra. Pero el mismo día de lanzamiento sin haberlo jugado y sin tenerlo ponerle un 1 es de risa.
  30. YassirX
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    Countering all the haters who are giving this game a 0.
    I've watched about 18 hours of this game on twitch and in my eyes its a masterpiece.
    Its a true Open-World Zelda with a beautiful Design and nice Quests and Puzzles. The only thing I dislike is the durability, which means Weapons are short-lived. Durability is fine, but things degrade too fast and there is no way to repair or    Countering all the haters who are giving this game a 0.
    I've watched about 18 hours of this game on twitch and in my eyes its a masterpiece.
    Its a true Open-World Zelda with a beautiful Design and nice Quests and Puzzles.
    The only thing I dislike is the durability, which means Weapons are short-lived.
    Durability is fine, but things degrade too fast and there is no way to repair or strengthen the durability of a weapon.

    I would rate it 9.5, because its not perfect but I want to counter the Haters.    … Expand
prev
Page:

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 »