The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - IGN Review

A remarkable sequel that somehow makes Breath of the Wild feel like a first draft.

[RpgSama]

Awesome!! This is what happens when a developer and a console manufacturer cares about their first party output.

Great to see this Zelda raises the bar from the previous one.

[chrisx]

Maybe it's time I truly start considering a switch for BOTW and this. Looks good.

[Azurite]

I'd recommend to first wait for the next Nintendo console to see if the games work on it as well.

[RpgSama]

@Azurite

At this point in the generation I was considering just that, to wait to see if Switch 2 is backwards compatible. There are definitely quite a few bangers that I want to play on the system with Xenoblade Chronicles 3 at the top of the list.

[notachance]

My lazy but completionist ass will probably wait a few months for a complete guide before playing this, just like how I play elden ring lol.
too old and tired to go looking for all the secrets myself..

[GotGame818]

There is already a guide for TOTK. A regular and collectors edition.

[Sonic1881]

GOTY guarantee it

[seanpitt23]

Shocker!

[badz149]

this sounds like a promo for the game, not a review.

[SoulWarrior]

Looking forward to giving this a go, heard it's a bit more traditional in some ways so that's music to my ears.

[NecrumOddBoy]

Dungeons apparently which is good. BOTW lack of anything traditional was a huge turnoff for me.

BOTW wasn’t a 10 for me but I am more excited about the sequel.

I do wish reviews were honest about these games. Almost every single reviewer completely ignores anything that any other game would be criticized for.

[Linefix]

Same. Loved the first one, but it wasn't perfect due to the reasons you mentioned, but I'm too really excited about the sequel. I hope it delivers.

[RpgSama]

Yeah, I tried to not read the reviews that much, do not want to spoil me of anything, at the same time I am very curious about dungeons coming back, that was one of the things that put me off playing BOTW, if they are like regular Zelda Dungeons then this is definitely on my list.

[fleshzombie]

I couldnt finish the first one. Might pick this one up down the line based on what I hear about it.

[sadraiden]

It's interesting seeing people try their damndest to find something wrong with BOTW. It's literally the best reviewed gaming product of all time, from literally every single journalistic outlet including mainstream media. But unless it exactly resembles what people subconsciously think they need from a Zelda experience, it's "a huge turnoff".

I think we're nitpicking for the sake of being contrarians in a digital landscape that rewards controversial takes.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I loved BoTW and I don't even like open world games, but it's sad to see some staples of the series dropped like dungeons, pretty happy to go back to that to some degree.

[XbladeTeddy]

I'm a massive fan of the traditional Zelda's but just didn't like BotW.

Still undecided on this one, going to be doing a lot of review watching and reading though to see if I should give this a go.

[goldwyncq]

GOTY

[RaidenBlack]

Shaping up to be one of the best year in gaming
Now lets hope Spider-Man 2 and Starfield equally delivers as well to complete the holy trinity ...

[goldwyncq]

This game, Spider-Man 2, Starfield, and Resident Evil 4 Remake will likely be the nominees this year

[RaidenBlack]

@goldwyncq
We'll have to wait for Armored Core VI, Baldur's Gate III & Diablo IV as well
(and am I missing anything else with a concrete 2023 release date? )

[MrNinosan]

@goldqyncq
I wouldn't count out Final Fantasy XVI either, but Zelda is always Zelda, and will probably win it in the end.

[Linefix]

Spot on!
And to the dislikers, what games do you think will challenge it for GotY?! Spiderman 2, Starfield, Redfall?! Don't make me laugh!

[outsider1624]

Ofcourse they are challenging it for GoTy. What do you think the Nominations are for?

Ok about Redfall...come on man...!!

[darkrider]

You are kidding aren't you? Zelda is an amazing game for the switch hardware, but we are in 2023?

There no comparison in every technical aspect. Just looking at the game you see that. Beside the fact it looks empty.

I can't imagined how Zelda would be if Nintendo got a next gen system. Where the interaction and emotions weren't robotic and with text.

[Obscure_Observer]

GOTY indeed.

97 on Metacritic right now!

Nintendo being Nintendo. Well deserved!

[CBaoth]

MS should take note. Have they ever had a game even nominated for GOTY? And are you sure you Xbox guys know what one looks like?

[anast]

You might be right.

[solideagle]

Congrats to Nintendo for another masterpiece. I have never owned any console except PS but I know the quality when I see it :)
wait, why isn't reviews on Metacritic yet?

[Linefix]

It's 96 so far on Metacritic.

[Obscure_Observer]

97

[shammgod]

Proves that creativity can beat out raw power and graphics

[Kakashi Hatake]

Proves Zelda has the most nostalgic fans.

[Angyobangyo]

Bro, you’re running with an anime name that hasn’t been relevant for a decade. I bet you know all about nostalgia. How about simply acknowledging Nintendo released a good game?

[Linefix]

proves a certain fanbase has the most salt whenever a TRUE masterpiece is released. LMAO! Just cope and continue playing your cinematic experience, one and done games, though I love them myself, but I just can't put them on the same level with Zelda, sorry.

[Neonridr]

proves that Nintendo fans care more about good gameplay over a shiny coat of paint.

[sadraiden]

What does that mean? They put out Zelda games regularly. No one is earnestly playing any of the 20+ Zelda games and thinking "man, this reminds me of the first time I played Zelda on NES".

TOTK isn't capitalizing on nostalgia. It might just be...... a good game.

[Nintentional]

Proves you’re just salty af 🧂🎻

[King_Noctis]

This new Zelda play nothing like the past Zelda on the Gamecube or N64 era.

So what are the Zelda fan nostalgia for?

[Adrian_v01]

@linefix what's so innovative and different about Zelda gameplay?

[darkrider]

No it doesn't proves that. It's a great game on the switch. It can have 100. But this game doesn't set any standard in any aspect on rpg in 2023. For me that's a problem with giving perfect scores.

[aconnellan]

Scores aren’t relative though. Just cause this is a 10 doesn’t invalidate other 10/10 games

[Workshyskiver]

Was there any doubt?

[Kakashi Hatake]

Really! Nintendo nostalgia is a disease. Couldn't possibly be a 9, nope 10. Nintendo gets away with the most.

[stupidusername]

Difference between you and the reviewers is that they have played the game and you not.

Take into mind that Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most priced posessions so it’s no wonder that a game made with enourmous quality assurance and devloped by some of the best talent in the business turns out good. Nintendo would never release a Zelda game they believe is bad.

[Linefix]

Yeah, yeah... haters gonna hate. The amount of salt we're going to see will be hilarious hahaha
We never see you comment negatively when TloU part1, a rererelease and a true cash grab, gets undeservedly 10s across the board. Hypocrisy much?!

[pitythefool]

Or maybe it’s just really really good, never considered that as a possibility ?

[Old McGroin]

Says a fella who probably loved the latest God of War games that are reimaginings of a game from 18 years ago 😅😅😅

[VersusDMC]

Wait...isn't this a reimagining of a game from 37 years ago?

[CDbiggen]

It's really fun messing about with the new abilities, you'd like it.

[King_Noctis]

With this kind of comment no wonder why you get so many upvotes on this site n

[RPGer]

I know this isn't much for most of the fans. But if the blades ain't fixable it will be another pass for me. Liked it but that with the emptiness is ahuge turn off for me.

[GamingSinceForever]

I still need to finish BOTW first. I got stuck trying to enter the village full of women the last time I played it.

[LOGICWINS]

Congratulations to Nintendo and all the Zelda fans who will take off work to enjoy this, but I can’t support this on principle. There’s no justification for the $70 price tag other than the fact that Nintendo knows people will buy it at that price. Give me 60fps and 1080p resolution bare minimum before you charge me $70.

[GamingSinceForever]

Is Nintendo immune to inflation?

[LOGICWINS]

If the reason for the price increase is truly inflation, they why aren't ALL Switch games getting price increases? Funny how inflation only affects 1 title.....

[fleshzombie]

They are definitely immune to giving good discounts for their old games.

[GamingSinceForever]

“If the reason for the price increase is truly inflation, they why aren't ALL Switch games getting price increases?”

I can’t answer that because it is above my pay grade and probably your’s as well.

It’s $10 more for a game with a 97 on Metacritic. There truly is no pleasing everyone because someone always has to cry about something.

[RedDevils]

What if the game became dog shit, will it still merit the $70 price tag?

[Neonridr]

so resolution dictates price now.. interesting.

[DankSinatra]

Blame Sony for this shit. Sony proved anyone will buy anything they offer for $70 bucks just because it has “PS5” slapped on the game. Nintendo is just following suit.

[VersusDMC]

Didn't NBA2K start the 70$ next gen price?

And wasn't the handheld and remasters pricing 40$ and Nintendo went ahead to pricing everything 60?

But sure go ahead and blame whoever you want...

[DankSinatra]

@VersusDMC

“Didn't NBA2K start the 70$ next gen price? “

Didn’t matter who started it. Sony popularized it. They’re the reason it stuck and gave bullshit reasons as to why 70 bucks was justified and everyone ate it up. So why do you think Nintendo is going with the flow?

“And wasn't the handheld and remasters pricing 40$ and Nintendo went ahead to pricing everything 60? “

Are you forgetting the ps3 era where Sony was selling “remastered” games at full price even though they were resolution upscales only? You guys have selective memories and try anything to make “Nintendo bad!” I know you guys hate when the truth is told but all of these companies have shit practices. You guys are just so hyper focused on Nintendo because they don’t need the most powerful hardware and bleeding edge technology to make good games.

[VersusDMC]

Sony popularized it when 2k, EA and Activision had all their games for 70 and Sony only had Demon Souls? I guess you can say Sony went with the flow as well.

What remaster was 60 on ps3 that wasn't several games?
The WiiU ports for switch were single games with no upgrades for 60. Even EA didn't pull that nonsense and released all 3 Mass Effect games in one package for 60.

[DankSinatra]

“Sony popularized it when 2k, EA and Activision had all their games for 70 and Sony only had Demon Souls? I guess you can say Sony went with the flow as well. “

Again, Sony was vocal for the justifications as to why 70 was a good idea, something you’re ignoring. Because Sony’s voice outweighs Ea’s in the industry due to reputation. This caused EVERY PlayStation game with PS5 slapped on it to be 70 bucks including a remake of a remaster(ps4 version) of a ps3 game, so talk about overpricing a decade old game. But I bet you’ll try to justify that one too.

“What remaster was 60 on ps3 that wasn't several games?
The WiiU ports for switch were single games with no upgrades for 60. Even EA didn't pull that nonsense and released all 3 Mass Effect games in one package for 60.“

So 2 packed together with a bump of resolution from 360p to 720p justified 60 bucks? And 2 games means several games? You’re trying to make it sound like they packaged together 7 or 8 games lol and a resolution bump justified the price? Like I said, you guys eat this shit up and will defend it but when Nintendo follows suit it’s suddenly bad. Hell people were giving grief over Metroid prime remastered and were even lying about it saying it was a resolution bump only when it was a total overhaul of the graphics. But guess what they didn’t do? Sell it for 70 like Sony did the last of us. Wii U ports were single ports with no upgrades? You mean like the resolution bump on DK country? The graphical overhaul and newly added content for Mario 3D world? The resolution bump for captain toad? The bump in resolution and added content for Mario kart 8? You guys are lying if you say it was just a straight port with nothing upgraded. Is the price completely justified? No but at least they added stuff to it but guess who was doing this shit first? You guessed it! Sony.

[Linefix]

As expected. A GotY material for sure. Can't wait for my copy to arrive ^^

[TheEnigma313]

of course it got a 10. Typical Nintendo.

[Linefix]

Like whenever any Sony linear, movie like game get 10s. Typical Sony.
Come on now! Acknowledge that other companies CAN produce great games too, not just your beloved company.

[phoenixwing]

@Line i was one of the detractors to botw but for it to recieve 10/10 for a sequel too has led me to believe I'm being too critical of botw and I should give my copy a fair try and ignore the fact that i don't like the breaking weapons mechanic. Please don't go into a lengthy discussion defending that broken weapon mechanic because I truly hate that mechanic. But the point you make stands. Not just Sony makes good games. The fact this series is consistantly getting things right enough to recieve 10 out of 10 in the media makes me think I should at least finish these games then I'll make a real informed take on them. I didn't give the first one much of a try very far in when my weapons kept breaking. Although I will say it's very stubborn of the devs to not fix that issue in the sequel. Of course I've always known Nintendo to be going at their own pace and not really listen to feedback much.

Anyway TLDR: Games are probably good and lightning striking twice doesn't make this a fluke and I'll retry botw again and buy totk later on too. Because like i say when I comment on here i own a ps5, a switch, and gaming pc.

[P_Bomb]

Oh no a game is linear!! *pulls bed sheets over eyes * 👀

[Old McGroin]

@TheEnigma313

"Typical Nintendo"

Exactly, top top quality as always.

[TheEnigma313]

Nah not 10 quality. 9ish range, yes.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

It's almost as if, and follow me closely here, Nintendo keeps developing masterpieces. They've been doing this since the 80s, and it's not changing any time soon. You'll have to get over it.

[CDbiggen]

10s aren't special anymore, loads of games get 10s now and don't deserve it. I wouldn't get upset pal

[King_Noctis]

Until a console comes out with a 10s exclusive game and score suddenly matter again.

[senorfartcushion]

Games as a service Vs games like this and God of War: Ragnarok and Ghost of Tsushima.

[phoenixwing]

yeah it's kind of crazy how companies are desperate to get on the games as a service bandwagon when tried and true quality games are like 90% more reliable.

[senorfartcushion]

Animal crossing probably made more money on day one than any of its update days.

[repsahj]

Wow, I'm happy it got a masterpiece score. Graphics aside, this is really an awesome game!

[gold_drake]

its great

but the tons of new things you can do, have a steap learning curve ha.

other than that, its amazing

[OWCY]

1080p an 30frames. If that was a xbox game people would be screaming an rating it a 4 out 10 saying its 2023 we wouldn't have less then 60fps

[andy85]

Compare the hardware.

[darkrider]

Yes, but hardware also got impact on the score. You cant give perfect score just because.

All thing are considered. Except for some.

[Neonridr]

if it was an Xbox game it would have to actually be good first

[CDbiggen]

Difference being I can play it anywhere, shouldn't have to remind people of that.

[Mr_cheese]

So very close to buying a switch and this may be the catalyst I needed for it. Went with an Oculus instead and to be fair, I've had a blast with that over the last year!

[XiNatsuDragnel]

I recommend buying a switch they're fun

[Mr_cheese]

It's on my list! A big reason is so I can play it in bed 😅

I'll eventually get round to it

[darklaw]

I always hated the cooking for temorary buffs aspect, and the disintegration of loved weapons. Kinda a turn off for me when playing BOTW. This new zelda looks amazing though

[Good-Smurf]

I'm currently at the first areas and it drags quite a bit It felt pretty empty and lonely don't know if I can power through these cleverly disguised tutorial areas.
Not a fan of the first areas so far.

[stloony]

Guess you have never played a Zelda game before.

[Good-Smurf]

I played Wind Waker, Minish Cap and Four Swords Adventures.
And those didn't have slow paced tutorial areas.

[CDbiggen]

It does go on something chronic, longer than I thought. But it's all worth it in the end. I can see casual gamers getting turned off in this area alone actually.

[thesoftware730]

The king of pure fun games!

Nintendo FTW!

[ThEusAisPoisonous]

If this same game had a Microsoft instead of Nintendo label, it would be getting 6’s and 7’s.

[stloony]

Someone doesn't have a Switch.....

[TheEnigma313]

Not 6. But definitely in the 7.5-8 range

[outsider1624]

F**k!! Someone lend me a Switch?

[andy85]

Mega scores. Hopefully they're deserved this time unlike BOTW. It does seem like they've listened to feedback of that game so maybe it will do indeed

[DarXyde]

GOTY right here.

It's gonna sweep. No questions asked

[DankSinatra]

Insert “Nintendo doesn’t deserve this because graphics/hardware/gameplay doesn’t live up to my fantasy standards” or insert “of course they would give it a 10/10, it’s Nintendo and they always get a free pass” quote here.

[darkrider]

You know that's the reality. Everybody gives a free pass to Nintendo games. All those 3 aspect are real. Not fantasy standards but 2023 rpg.

[DankSinatra]

Except Nintendo is the most criticized of the 3 console makers. They don’t receive free passes for anything. Just because it’s not living up to your fantasized standards doesn’t mean it’s getting free passes. Their games getting high scores means that they make good games. Just because it’s isn’t 4k 60fps doesn’t mean it’s a bad game.

[DarXyde]

All reviews are subjective and frankly, quite a few games from every corner get a free pass in some way. Even objective measures like poor performance can be completely forgiven if the game itself is memorable and brilliant. Shadow of the Colossus on PS2 is a good example of that. I absolutely adore that game, but it had plenty of performance issues. That was forgiven and, in fact, that game received perfect scores. I would say that also constitutes a free pass.

It's not really a Nintendo thing and I think the best way to interpret a review score is to look at it purely as a meter for the level of recommendation that you experience it. 10/10 is another way of saying, "we highly recommend this game".

If you do that, you completely diffuse the stupid nuances of a 9, 8.5, etc. Looking at the scores, very fair to say that this game is very highly recommended. 96 after 87 reviews at the time of writing on metacritic. A must play, if you will.

[DarXyde]

DankSinatra,

"Most criticized" might be a stretch, but I would say Nintendo deserves a lot of the grief they get. They get a ton of it, but they're also not doing anything to address their shortcomings either because they know people will eat it up. In the same generation, they went from not charging for online to charging for online and it's embarrassingly bad. Worse than PS3 era PSN. They haven't updated the joycons to avoid drift in future iterations of the hardware accessory. They are vehemently anti piracy of ancient games but are not adequately preserving their own catalog. There's a lot there.

Personally, I think Microsoft is the most criticized, but they often earn it. It often comes down to them doing something dumb, followed by a mea culpa, and the fans seem to believe that (or are willing to overlook it because Game Pass).

Sony does their share of dumb stuff too, but I also believe Sony responds the best to criticism. They move in this industry like people with something to lose, and I don't really get that sense from the other two. Nintendo doesn't really apologize which is kinda hilarious but also not cool.

[darkrider]

DankSinatra the game can't even run at 30 frames locked. It drops to 20. Doesn't receveid free passes? Perfect scores? What would happend if any exclusive of Sony and Microsoft run at 20 flops in 2023? Would it get perfect scores?

Again, not saying it's a great game, but just like Bayonetta the switch limitation are huge and it's shows. It's incredible what they can still do on the switch. With those kind of specs, but

[DankSinatra]

Again, that doesn’t make a great game or a bad game. Is it showing hardware limitations? Yes. Does that mean that the game is automatically bad? No. Also it doesn’t drop below 30 most of the time according to DF. You guys are so hardwired on “it’s gotta be 4k 60fps or it’s a bad game!”. There’s a difference between its a bad game and it’s a limited game technology wise. Learn the difference.

[CDbiggen]

This man knows his N4G. But what do you expect from grown men on a gaming site.

[Elda]

Good for Nintendo. I don't own a Switch but I'm going on a trip in a few weeks & my friend offered to lend me her Switch to use while traveling because she no longer uses it & she knows I love gaming. I never played a Zelda game before so I'm thinking about buying this game to play during my travels.

[P_Bomb]

Tremendous scores!

[EternalTitan]

Does it still have shitty open world and weapon breaking?

[OWCY]

Every zelda is open world... maybe your not a zelda guy.

[ocelot07]

Looking forward to this. Enjoyed BOTW a fair bit. However I'm not buying into these 10/10s until I play it.

I bought into them with botw a few years ago. With the amount of 10/10s and I was expecting the best game ever made. Though it was fun it was a solid 7 or 8. But was a little annoyed with my self for buying into the whole 10/10 bs.

[DOMination-]

Congrats to all the developers who worked on this game

[sadraiden]

You really feel like Zelda.

[Ristul]

Boom! Nintendo dropping a big bomb, feel that Microsoft! This is quality, watch and learn.

[InUrFoxHole]

This is exactly why I don't stick to 1 console

[autoglope]

how on earth is this 10/10,.. I mean it is really good,.. but more or less pretty much the same as BOTW,.. Maybe it gets way better only finished the wind temple,.. which was pretty fun,.. shrines are a bit meh,.. Love the pop trough ceiling power,.. some great puzzles around that. But it is an incredible time sink.

[DefaultComment]

first thing's first watch the video and then you STFU.

[mkis007]

They gloss over performance again as if running at less than 30 is somehow not as important as the gameplay...

[randomvoice]

Man when is Nintendo launching their next gen console? I so want to play this but hate the underpowered switch hardware!

[sactownlawyer916]

You can see the clear difference in quality when it comes to the two Japanese console makers versus the American one.

[JokerBoy129]

Dude... Pure fucking stoked guys! Let's goooooo!!!!!

[mastershredder]

ign and zelda….always a 10. What a load.

[Promachos]

Oh gods those 20 fps dips...huhhhhhhhh