The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

 Switch
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9840 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7,514 out of 9840
  2. Mixed: 734 out of 9840
  3. Negative: 1,592 out of 9840
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  1. PhummyLW
    May 14, 2023
    10
    Tears of the Kingdom massively increases the standard open world games should be held to. It takes all of the ideals of its predecessor and runs with them to the absolute limit, all while maintaining a small file size on an underpowered console.
  2. Kaladon
    Jun 5, 2023
    10
    An essential title. Beautiful story with some of the most creative and confident releases in a long while. Nintendo should be beyond proud of themselves!
  3. spencerplewe
    Jun 4, 2023
    8
    Expanding the map of "Breath of the Wild"'s Hyrule Kingdom to mind-blowing new heights, "Tears of the Kingdom" may have some missed opportunities, but it does have a richer & bolder story this time, and develops the gameplay, dungeon designs and characters in satisfying directions.
  4. Shadowcat2206
    May 16, 2023
    10
    The graphics, the scenaries, everything is beautiful and it gives the user the oportunity to play with the new mechanics
  5. Andresfrq
    May 16, 2023
    10
    Cuando pensábamos que el fenómeno de BOTW no podría repetirse, llega Nintendo y nos deja con la boca abierta. La mejor aventura que podamos jugar actualmente. Viva "Tears of the haters"... digo, the kingdom.
  6. Hippystank
    May 16, 2023
    10
    10/10, game is amazing and I can't stop playing it. Easily the best zelda game ever made, hopefully we can play it at 60fps on the switch 2 in the future.
  7. Lukas200007
    May 15, 2023
    10
    This game improved every good aspect of botw and fixed the bad ones. The content is three times as much as in botw, which was already a masterpiece in my opinion. Overall i‘d say it doesn‘t deserve the bad reviews, because it definitely is way more than just a copy and everyone that says else should google the definition of a sequel, especially because every other triple a game sequel likeThis game improved every good aspect of botw and fixed the bad ones. The content is three times as much as in botw, which was already a masterpiece in my opinion. Overall i‘d say it doesn‘t deserve the bad reviews, because it definitely is way more than just a copy and everyone that says else should google the definition of a sequel, especially because every other triple a game sequel like gow ragnarok would lack the exaxt same „problem“… Expand
  8. Ali_Almazrouei
    May 16, 2023
    10
    No other game can give you these tools, mechanis, the game is even bigger than what i imagined, its really embarrassing for other open world games because this game is THE best open game i would say ever!.
  9. Dudemanmrguyman
    May 16, 2023
    10
    This game is an absolute masterpiece and is in my opinion revolutionary for both the open world and sandbox genres!
  10. DestiNofi
    May 16, 2023
    10
    At first I wondered if this game would feel too much like BotW. Thankfully I was proven wrong. Not only is this game a total upgrade in every way, it also feels completely separate as a game. The exploration feels more satisfying, less empty space as well as more places to explore. I'm impressed the switch pulled off such a feat. NPCs also feel more significant.
  11. Epic_Gamerrater
    May 14, 2023
    10
    I absolutely love this game! It has evrrything of the best game in the workd but better! I am rrally enjoying myself
  12. dannysgamebox
    Jun 4, 2023
    9
    The performance issues in Tears of the Kingdom are majorly masked by the exceptional presentation and engrossing explorative experience that it offers.
  13. Anzu-gaming
    May 21, 2023
    9
    Quelle aventure dans la lignée de breath of the wild certes mais quel génie de la part de Nintendo niveau gameplay un must have foncez
  14. Aquaticset3245
    Jun 3, 2023
    9
    Leading up to this game I was worried that it wasn't going to be as great as it could be or it would feel like dlc, my worries quickly vanished as soon as I started playing, the game is very close to a perfect score, unfortunately things like occasional frame drops and the major dungeons (while way better than botw) not being on the same level as the classic dungeon designs bring the scoreLeading up to this game I was worried that it wasn't going to be as great as it could be or it would feel like dlc, my worries quickly vanished as soon as I started playing, the game is very close to a perfect score, unfortunately things like occasional frame drops and the major dungeons (while way better than botw) not being on the same level as the classic dungeon designs bring the score down, every other aspect of the game feels amazing.… Expand
  15. Kikketou
    May 30, 2023
    10
    It’s like a fresh air, Nintendo did it again, when you think this couldn’t be better and it’s absolutely better. Totally addictive, you can’t be bored with the new mechanics of game, they having you playing by hours and hours.
  16. Starazor0
    May 16, 2023
    10
    This game is amazing. I haven’t finished and I doubt most reviewing have. But so far, it’s non stop fun. I’d elaborate, but I’d much rather say what we’re all thinking lol. Not at all surprised the Sony crowd is actively review bombing yet another exclusive they can’t play. I take pity though. Sony only has ‘timed’ exclusives now. 0 actual exclusives. But I digress. This game is fantasticThis game is amazing. I haven’t finished and I doubt most reviewing have. But so far, it’s non stop fun. I’d elaborate, but I’d much rather say what we’re all thinking lol. Not at all surprised the Sony crowd is actively review bombing yet another exclusive they can’t play. I take pity though. Sony only has ‘timed’ exclusives now. 0 actual exclusives. But I digress. This game is fantastic (though I recommend buying with $50 voucher instead)… Expand
  17. Linebeckk
    May 16, 2023
    10
    This game improves from BOTW in such a huge way... This is legit on of the best games of all time. I simply can't go back to play PC, Xbox and Playstation open world games anymore... they just aren't as good. Tears of the Kingdom will leave its mark on the videogame's industry for many years to come.
  18. mr_joj
    May 16, 2023
    10
    There have been many people who, most likely haven't played the game review bombing this game. they are saying: "this is just Breath Of The Wild but with a few new sky islands and more boring cutscenes!" But trust me, this game is truly something special. even though the game builds on many of botw's old gameplay aspects, and reused the same map, the game still seems really fresh. Me, whoThere have been many people who, most likely haven't played the game review bombing this game. they are saying: "this is just Breath Of The Wild but with a few new sky islands and more boring cutscenes!" But trust me, this game is truly something special. even though the game builds on many of botw's old gameplay aspects, and reused the same map, the game still seems really fresh. Me, who have spent over 1000 hours in botw, constantly find myself lost in "the same map". there are also so much more content to this game. there is always something new to explore, or a quest to complete, they have really just improved on everything botw lacked on. oh and there's also the story. even though I have just spent around 15 hours in the game, the story so far, has been really engaging and overall just really good. If you're looking to buy this game, but you feel like there are too many negative reviews. Don't listen to them, this is really one of the best games I have ever played.… Expand
  19. Papapletos
    Jun 5, 2023
    10
    Este juego me sorprendió, le tenía mucha fe, pero no espere algo tan grandioso, con una consola tan antigua como la Nintendo Switch, es realmente una locura sus físicas y lo grandioso que es emplear la imaginación sin limites, estoy segura de que pasaran meses y seguirán saliendo mas y mas curiosidades del juego, fácilmente se le pueden sacar unas 400 hrs de provecho, su precio puede noEste juego me sorprendió, le tenía mucha fe, pero no espere algo tan grandioso, con una consola tan antigua como la Nintendo Switch, es realmente una locura sus físicas y lo grandioso que es emplear la imaginación sin limites, estoy segura de que pasaran meses y seguirán saliendo mas y mas curiosidades del juego, fácilmente se le pueden sacar unas 400 hrs de provecho, su precio puede no ser exequible para todo el mundo, pero si puedes comprarlo usado hazlo, no tengo dudas de que; TEARS OF THE KINGDOM GOTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  20. Leviack
    May 13, 2023
    10
    The perfect game, loads of mechanics and incredible creativity Definitely the game of the year
  21. Marcosyb
    May 16, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A M A Z I N G. Simplemente asombroso e increíble. Mapa expandido x 3, nuevos enemigos, crafteo, etc (x1000).… Expand
  22. PotatoMaster69
    May 14, 2023
    10
    It takes one of the best games ever made with Breath of the wild and improves it in every way. The map is over double the size and there is more to do and the gameplay is really fun
  23. Melle1000
    May 13, 2023
    7
    Zelda Totk is definitly a Great Game, but it have hard Problems with the Performance. Sometimes it feels like 10 FPS when u fight or build. I also have sometimes soundbugs.
  24. Steven_PF
    May 14, 2023
    6
    An almost complete retelling of BotW. Same prologue, same progress, same story for a 5 year old, almost identical map, ... TotK does not revolutionize anything.

    In addition, the game has many flaws: the narration still behind and far from current standards, the framerate which can drop to 20 FPS, many camera problems, heavy and unintuitive gameplay, and, the most serious in my opinion ,    An almost complete retelling of BotW. Same prologue, same progress, same story for a 5 year old, almost identical map, ... TotK does not revolutionize anything.

    In addition, the game has many flaws: the narration still behind and far from current standards, the framerate which can drop to 20 FPS, many camera problems, heavy and unintuitive gameplay, and, the most serious in my opinion , the game has no accessibility options.

    Impossible to adjust the size and color of subtitles, impossible to individually adjust the volume of sound tracks (music, voice, sound effects), ...

    Nintendo doesn't give a damn about the comfort of players, especially players with disabilities. It's an absolute shame in 2023. And it's even more shameful to see the media around the world saying nothing about this unconscionable lack.    … Expand
  25. Basinggse
    May 16, 2023
    10
    This is the proove of what a game has to be. Excelente magnificent and of course the Way how the companys has to treat their public
  26. Blompo
    May 13, 2023
    7
    This is gonna be one of those games where the user score will go down as time goes on.

    As someone who loved Breath of the Wild, I can't help but feel disappointed with Tears of the Kingdom. This really does feel like a $70 expansion to a BotW, or rather a different version of BotW, which is lame as half of the fun of the game was experiencing the world for the first time with all new    This is gonna be one of those games where the user score will go down as time goes on.

    As someone who loved Breath of the Wild, I can't help but feel disappointed with Tears of the Kingdom. This really does feel like a $70 expansion to a BotW, or rather a different version of BotW, which is lame as half of the fun of the game was experiencing the world for the first time with all new mechanics. I already feel like I've seen everything in TotK, the draw just isn't as strong. The gameplay is mostly unchanged, including all of its negatives. Cooking is still annoying, exploration can still feel pointless, durability is even more annoying, etc etc. Link does have new abilities this time around but I honestly think I prefer his old ones. TotK also has pretty bad performance issues, like way more than its predecessor. Dips, stutters, and moments of blurry picture quality are all too common.

    With all that being said, TotK is still a fun and (mechanically) polished experience, which is more than you can say for most AAA games being made these days. Just don't go in expecting something totally new and groundbreaking.    … Expand
  27. Scooterbru
    Jun 3, 2023
    10
    As a sequel to breath of the wild, this game is so much more. Those who have played both games can attest to just how much more content there is in this game when compared to what was in BOTW. Not only is there an excess of content but that content is more or less better in every way then what BOTW had to offer. Im not sure Nintendo are native to this planet with how well they understandAs a sequel to breath of the wild, this game is so much more. Those who have played both games can attest to just how much more content there is in this game when compared to what was in BOTW. Not only is there an excess of content but that content is more or less better in every way then what BOTW had to offer. Im not sure Nintendo are native to this planet with how well they understand game design. I would buy an entire console for this game and you should to if thats what it comes down to. Good night and we love the Silent Princess … Expand
  28. GreenMenace
    May 14, 2023
    7
    This is BOTW 2. As a long-term hardcore fan, I think there’s a lot more to be critical of than what I’ve seen from critics. Despite improvements to BOTW’s core formula, this game is not a masterpiece. It’s simply a sequel to a great game. Primarily because the puzzles did not deliver in this entry.

    Pros Story/Characters Improved Interface Greater Variety Cons Puzzling /    This is BOTW 2. As a long-term hardcore fan, I think there’s a lot more to be critical of than what I’ve seen from critics. Despite improvements to BOTW’s core formula, this game is not a masterpiece. It’s simply a sequel to a great game. Primarily because the puzzles did not deliver in this entry.

    Pros

    Story/Characters
    Improved Interface
    Greater Variety

    Cons

    Puzzling / Dungeons
    Music
    More Linear
    Safe

    TOTK improved upon monster variety. It’s much easier to switch items, the quests are passable, and the characters feel more likeable. Most importantly, the story in TOTK can go toe to toe with any other Zelda. The map feels significantly different from before, so I can confidently say it doesn’t feel “rehashed”.

    That said, this is BOTW. Even the tutorial is scarily close to BOTW. I’ve never been big on the futuristic theme. I can see why Nintendo’s given BOTW so much love considering its sales, but I think part of BOTW’s success was it’s fresh breath into the franchise, not the structure of the game. In other words, I don’t want 100+ hour long Zelda games. Especially considering how many of those hours are spent walking from place to place.

    Fusing is a large portion of the game. It’s helpful because it gives every item in your inventory a purpose. It’s somewhat annoying because most of the time, ALL of your items become ugly.

    I’m worried that Zelda is starting to lose its identity. The puzzles were heavily, heavily reliant on Ultrahand. It needed more materials to work with to allow a more diverse experience. Puzzles in TOTK revolve around machines. It didn’t feel like Zelda, and worse, it wasn’t satisfying to complete a puzzle—it was sweet relief I could stop using Ultrahand. Puzzling in TOTK feels much more linear than BOTW. Yes, linear. Machines are meant to be built one way to work. And that made shrines feel like an absolute drag.

    Of all the changes in the game, I feel like the music changed the least. I’m used to having beautiful Zelda music each game, but BOTW and TOTK have not delivered. The music was empty in BOTW, but the Sky Islands theme is nothing short of AWFUL. A good chunk of the score I can look you in the eye and say anybody, and I mean anybody, could write it.

    I don’t play Zelda to build modern technology. I play Zelda to play epic one on ones with exciting music, progress through a story, and complete dungeons. That’s what OOT was designed for in the first place. Link’s a knight, not an engineer. I like fast paced, satisfying puzzling that tests Link’s reflexes and skill. Not running around the map. Not taking thirty minutes as you fiddle around with Ultrahand to progress through three phases of a single shrine.

    It’s like TOTK was forced with the worst of two worlds. It avoided the influence of old school Zelda, and it couldn’t provide too much variety to work with since the open world game is already hard to design.

    All in all, I didn’t mind the “go here” “go there” attitude that TOTK developed to extend simple tasks like unlocking the Sky Towers. I’m satisfied with the BOTW formula, but it should place a much larger emphasis on puzzles. Not big lengthy physics puzzles, a simple chain of commands to get Link from A to D in five minutes. Time will tell whether vehicles in Zelda will be popular, but for me on a personal level, they’re a bust.    … Expand
  29. CoA
    May 16, 2023
    5
    As a long time Zelda fan, and someone who has played almost every game in the series(minus handheld), this is towards the bottom of my Zelda list. I feel like they said "Here's Breath of the Wild, and a bunch of cheap gimmicks... now make your own fun!". No music while running everywhere. No creative weapons when you fuse. It's just a floppy arm on the end of your Spear. You don't likeAs a long time Zelda fan, and someone who has played almost every game in the series(minus handheld), this is towards the bottom of my Zelda list. I feel like they said "Here's Breath of the Wild, and a bunch of cheap gimmicks... now make your own fun!". No music while running everywhere. No creative weapons when you fuse. It's just a floppy arm on the end of your Spear. You don't like backtracking? No worries! Just teleport through a ceiling. It's so boring... and tedious. I'm interested in the story, but not nearly enough to finish this black hole of fun. I would much rather play Breath of the Wild any day. If you think they were going to fix issues like weapon breaking from Breath of the Wild, think again. This is Breath of the Wild with cheap gimmicks for abilities. I kind of feel slapped in the face by Nintendo.… Expand
  30. DullahansXMark
    May 13, 2023
    7
    No one's here to read a college thesis, so I'll knock this one out, good/bad/ugly style (ugly being things that I wasn't a fan of but that don't affect the overall score).

    The Good: -if you liked BOTW, you'll be happy to know all of its mechanics have essentially returned. -the new runes are mostly pretty good and shake up exploration in inventive ways. -the remixed overworld isn't    No one's here to read a college thesis, so I'll knock this one out, good/bad/ugly style (ugly being things that I wasn't a fan of but that don't affect the overall score).

    The Good:
    -if you liked BOTW, you'll be happy to know all of its mechanics have essentially returned.
    -the new runes are mostly pretty good and shake up exploration in inventive ways.
    -the remixed overworld isn't perfect, but I am willing to admit they did more than I expected them to.
    -the new areas are pretty cool. Spelunking is really fun.
    -the dungeons, as the game calls them, are generally a big improvement on the Divine Beasts.

    The Bad:
    -if there were aspects of BOTW you didn't like, you'll be disappointed to know that every single core mechanic has returned.
    -using Ultrahand for building (it has other uses, which are fine) sucks. Stray from what the game *wants* you to make and it will rarely ever work. Just make bridges. They're funny and they actually work.
    -while it doesn't come into play often, there are parts of the world where it's very clear the game wasn't built with your toolset in mind. (hint: because it was built for BOTW's toolset)
    -the story is almost laughably bad. Same minimalistic approach as BOTW but with a far worse script. Ganondorf deserved better.

    The Ugly:
    -no matter what the game calls them, these still aren't dungeons as Zelda fans know them. The Divine Beasts weren't terrible, but they left me feeling hungry for something better. Dungeons in this game are basically the Divine Beasts without the control mechanism. They are generally better, though.
    -they took whistle-sprinting out. While it was a glitch and did need to be removed, it was really handy for getting around quickly. Having nothing replace it is really unfortunate.

    Overall a fun game, but six years and $70 is a big ask for what we ultimately ended up getting, which largely does play like an DLC rather than a proper sequel. Not in terms of scope (the game definitely has scope), but in terms of what the game actually is.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Switch Game of 2023
1
#1 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 150 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 145 out of 150
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 150
  3. Negative: 0 out of 150
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Mar 18, 2024
    100
    I wasn't sure how Nintendo would find a way to top their work in Breath of the Wild back when it came out, but I feel they have here – with years of more polish applied and refined exploration. [Issue #66 – July/August 2023, p. 71]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 22, 2024
    100
    The good thing is that, thanks to the limited possibilities, the creators couldn't go crazy and swing for hundreds of game miles. Instead, they created what could be called Elden Ring in a travel pack. [Issue#328]
  3. Shacknews
    Dec 28, 2023
    100
    The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has lived up to the high expectations created by the success of Breath of the Wild with its exquisitely intertwined gameplay systems, outstanding music, and a legendary story culminating in a magnificent denouement. It's not every day that such a special video game like this comes around. Truly the stuff of legend.
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