The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch)

Gameplay is smooth and intuitive, with a mix of action, strategy, and problem-solving that appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers. The freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with the environment adds a layer of depth that makes each play session unique. Overall, Tears of the Kingdom is a masterful continuation of the Zelda franchise, offering hours of immersive adventure and unforgettable moments.

EDIT: This edit is made 2 years after the review, July 2025. There is an optional £8 DLC that upgrades it for the Switch 2, including a frame rate boost to 60fps, resolution boost up to 1440p and HDR. While the controls weren’t sorted, the game is absolutely stunning and has no issue on the new hardware, so I’m bumping my review up to 5 stars. A must have game for any Switch 2 owner, nevermind Zelda fan. Quick note about spoilers: As of writing this review I have 100+ hours in it. I have not finished the game and as a result no end game spoilers will be in this. However, there might be some things mentioned that while not massive spoilers, may constitute this warning. So, 6 years came and went. What was the longest wait between Zelda games felt like the shortest. I’m sure many people like myself were hesitant to see the same map being used and questioned how much you could really do. The answer is: a lot to justify it as the best sequel game I have ever played. It is very open to new players and doesn’t require you to have played the last game: if anything it’s very loosely connected. Gameplay feels more or less the same as Breath of The Wild, which isn’t a bad thing! You will start from scratch (3 hearts/1 stamina wheel). You will get powers, some feeling very similar (ultrahand is like an upgraded magnesis) and some original (ascend). There is a massive creative aspect to the game with the new building mechanics, but you don’t need to be a pro, nor does the game force you to build things in a specific way. You’re very quickly fired into the story, which feels a lot more present than BoTW. However, the game feels very similar in that regard (again, not a bad thing!) You’re given a brief overview of the story, talk to NPCs to find out more, and there are memories you collect to unravel the past and find out why everything is happening. That, along with the typical Zelda dungeon layout will lead you to the final boss. There are parts where the gameplay feels massively different however. Those who criticised BoTW’s weapon system are either gonna love the new system or hate the new system: weapons are a lot more brittle, and the higher damage weapons in ToTK are similar to that in the lower tier of BoTW. But the new fuse mechanic increases durability and inspires creativity; You can fuse a mushroom to a sword to send an enemy flying, or a certain type of flower to make an enemy a friend. The geography of the world too feels different. Aside from simple terrain differences, which threw me off (as a person with 300+ hours in botw), there is the sky layer (which has some interesting history) and the depths; a desolate field which is only occupied by strong monsters and rare materials. It’s a place you’ll want to avoid early game. Graphically it’s seen a boost; longer render distances, better reflections and better lighting are noticeable from the start. What is also noticeable is their new dynamic resolution system, which will apply when the camera is being moved in even slightly busy places. I couldn’t notice it much on my 50” TV but on the Switch tablet it was noticeable. Still, after playing Age of Calamity anything above 540p is a blessing. All in all, this game is almost perfect, after all it succeeds an almost perfect game. But I would give it 4/5 for two reasons. 1. Sage controls; throughout the game you will unlock sages, which are little avatars to help you in battle. They can grant you powers - if you can catch them. In actual gameplay they will run away from you and are next to useless; I often disable them. How this got past QA I do not know. A wheel system would’ve been better, similar to the main powers you get in the game. Maybe mapped to holding the down dpad button, considering that’s how you summon them in dungeons. 2. The frame rate. Admittedly, it’s not bad at the start, but once you get all sages in a fight the frame rate tanks in the most desolate of places. I had a lynel fight in an empty field where the frame rate was in the 20s essentially the whole time. I highly recommend dumping this game and playing it on an emulator for even a stable 30fps. Aside from those 2 issues, it would be the perfect game. And who knows, maybe they’ll be fixed upon. If the game’s ending changes my mind, I’ll update this review.

Awesome, and thoroughly enjoyable. Huge map, riddles to solve, and so many things to do and collect. One of the best games I ever played.

I had the immense pleasure of diving into the enchanting world of “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” and I must say, it exceeded all expectations. From the very beginning, the game pulls you in with its mesmerizing visuals, compelling narrative, and captivating gameplay. The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, showcasing the attention to detail that the developers poured into every pixel. The lands you explore are a true testament to creativity, with each region offering a distinct atmosphere and challenges that kept me eagerly exploring for hours on end. The heart of any Zelda game lies in its puzzles and dungeons, and “Tears of the Kingdom” delivers these in abundance. The ingenious puzzle designs left me scratching my head in the best possible way, and the satisfaction of solving them was immeasurable. The dungeons are masterfully crafted, with a perfect balance between difficulty and reward. What truly sets this installment apart is its narrative. The story weaves a tapestry of emotion, weaving together themes of loss, courage, and the indomitable human spirit. As Link, I found myself emotionally invested in the fate of the kingdom and its inhabitants, rooting for them with every step I took. The orchestral soundtrack deserves special mention, as it elevates the experience to new heights. The melodies are not just background music, but a vital part of the storytelling, enhancing every moment and evoking genuine emotions. In a gaming landscape filled with options, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” shines as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of video games. If you’re a fan of the series, or even if you’re new to it, this game is an absolute gem that deserves a place in your collection. It’s an adventure that will leave you with tears of joy and a sense of wonder that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Bought for the wife. She enjoys it and gets me to do the bigger bosses. First time playing Zelda since the N64 days and it doesn’t disappoint.

Tears of the Kingdom The follow up to the highly acclaimed Breath of the Wild. I stepped foot into this title with some worries, but was very quickly reassured that my time in this game would be everything BoTW offered and so much more. This is the ultimate sandbox open world rpg experience. It’s unique, down right hilarious at times thanks to the games mechanics, gripping and instilled a thorough sense of adventure that I haven’t experienced since my younger years playing World of Warcraft. The team behind ToTK took BOTW polished, refined, then added some zest and sprinkled some perfection on top and served it up. The new systems beg for you to dig into your own creativity, be it crafting weapons from random materials around you to building methods of travel. Every aspect of this game teases you with adventure, creation, intrigue and comfort. The story starts of slow, then settles it’s pace and takes you on a beautiful starting journey to then pat you on the shoulders and say “that’s just the beginning, you have all of this to explore now” A truly jaw dropping and genre defining moment yet again, to show that Team Zelda still have the means to wow their audience and deliver every step of the way. I won’t dive into story or game play, it’s genuinely so much better experienced. But rest assured it does not feel ‘samey’ - in fact the new weapon creation system fleshed out weapon durability considerably - it just makes sense. Performance is the same as BoTW (a damn good thing) which is genuinely shocking given how rich the world now is. Without a doubt my GoTY if not game of the century. Nintendo smacked the home run again, this is the standard ALL developers should be looking to achieve (looking at you redfall). Currently played roughly twenty six hours and no where near done.

It’s a great sequel to botw. However it’s not far removed. It’s the same map with a new sky and underground area to explore. The new abilities are great. The new puzzles are amazing especially with new sticking ability. But the graphics and art style haven’t changed. They are the same as 5 years ago and could use a new console to power them. They are quite muddy and uninspiring. The Zora kingdom should be jaw dropping but it’s like a dvd after you’ve watched Blu-ray. I’d have liked to beg able to swim under water in this game but nope. Same as botw. The shrines in this game out do botw. They are so imaginative with different ways to do them. Story I won’t spoil but I’ve found myself skipping text on side stories as some are pointless. Doing a side quest for twenty rupees isn’t tempting. I’m almost finished the main game and whilst I did every corner of botw I feel a lack of desire to do it here. Maybe I’m eventually tired of open world games. The music is stunning Id love a soundtrack. Very mournful in places. Overall it’s a good game. Frame rate is solid. But the textures and graphics could have used an overhaul

Tears of the Kingdom is another outstanding entry in the Zelda series that takes players on an unforgettable adventure. The game builds upon the open-world mechanics introduced in Breath of the Wild, adding new layers of complexity, excitement, and storytelling. The graphics are breathtaking, with vast landscapes to explore, detailed environments, and a rich atmosphere. The puzzles are clever, and the combat feels fluid, making each encounter engaging. The addition of new abilities and the enhanced verticality of the game world really elevate the experience, making it feel like a truly expansive and immersive world. What stands out the most is the storytelling. The narrative is emotional, rich, and filled with moments that truly connect with the player. It continues the legacy of Zelda’s iconic world while introducing new characters and lore that will keep fans invested. Tears of the Kingdom is a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike. It's a beautiful, well-crafted game that offers countless hours of exploration, challenges, and enjoyment. Highly recommended!