The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review - IGN

Breath of the Wild is an evocative and exhilarating open-world adventure game.

[Deep-throat]

Wow!!

[Gazondaily]

Forget GOTY...this could easily be GOTG!

NOTHING is touching this title this year. Oh man....I'm excited. My delivery got delayed but come Saturday.....shieeeee.

This looks like it will truly be a Masterpiece.

[DragonDDark]

Maybe RDR2 if it releases this year.

[Gazondaily]

Oh yeah actually RDR2 is a good shout.

This is 98 on metacritic atm. Insane. Never thought I'd see a title this gen rated that high

[EddieNX]

Apparently its like a mic drop compared to the likes of GTA and Skyrim. Never underestimate Nintendo EAD.

[Deep-throat]

GOTGs so far:

TLOZ
The Witcher 3
Bloodborne
Bayonetta 2

[Why o why]

Swing a sword, Draw a bow, Link and Aloy have me covered for this genre for early 2017. When is RDR2 coming out? I never got into it but I hear great things about it.

[King_Nintendo]

Zelda will be GOTG and nothing is touching it this whole gen. Only mario odyssey has a chance.

:")

[Nevelos]

Dude just stop it with the nothing touches this title this year, I think that's a shot at PS4 and horizon zero dawn??!! Dude this game is good but come on now, outdated graphics and all goty my ass

[Nevelos]

It's 98 on metacritic, lol please stfu

[thekhurg]

Funny how it's reviewing flawlessly when it has the performance problems that ign showed and talked about.

Other games would get knocked for technical issues like that.

[bluefox755]

A quote from the Switch review on IGN:
"In console mode, The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, seldom makes it all the way to 30fps @ 900p, and it even dips far south of that when when lots of particles or physics objects are on screen at once."

A game that can barely achieve 30fps is hardly a masterpiece.

[freshslicepizza]

be interesting how well this sells on the wii u.

[Gazondaily]

@blue

"A game that can barely achieve 30fps is hardly a masterpiece."

Lmao what?! Talk about reaching there bro. Fps determines masterpiece now?

And how does that explain people calling The Last Guardian a Masterpiece? That game had some terrible frame rate problems but people were calling it that:

http://n4g.com/news/1999093...

[madmonkey01]

game of next generation you mean? nothing is touching it really this year, it already has a pretty close competitor for GOTY.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Very possibly, but Mass Effect my provide competition for me

[deafdani]

As mentioned above, Red Dead Redemption would be a strong contender if it actually comes out this year.

And I'd dare say that Super Mario Odyssey could also compete with Zelda BOTW. 3D Mario games have just as good of a track record in review scores as Zelda games.

On the other hand, BOTW is the second highest rated Nintendo game ever made, so far. There's currently 62 reviews on Metacritic and it's got a Metascore of 98, only one point behind Ocarina of Time... although there's a chance that with more reviews, the overall Metascore drops a point or two. Even if that happens, it's still outstanding and the main runner for GOTY this year.

[FITgamer]

Looks like Nintendo might have GOTY this year.

[Sm3000]

What does the G mean at the end

[Army_of_Darkness]

Hmm.. Seems like Nintendo exclusives always seem to get a pass for imperfections such as frame rate dips, indie quality graphics and low resolution... Horizon looks much better as an overall package... But that's just me.

[Officialxandr]

Not trying to knock Zelda but nothing? Um, Horizon, Mass Effect, Spiderman, and etc. There's SO many phenomenal games coming out this year.

[Germaximus]

Horizon Zero Dawn

[davand114]

Damn there hasn't been a game rated this highly is almost 20 years.

[davand114]

@Eddienx aren't they called nintendo epd now?

[SourtreeDing]

Bloodborne 2!! will be annouced anat e3 and comeout later this yr!

[IamTylerDurden1]

You've been pumping Zelda like crazy ever since Horizon hit... This is before reviews came out. Also, you really should play it before insinuating that it's game of the millennium.

[IamTylerDurden1]

GTAV PS4/X1 and TLoU Remastered are in the same ballpark Metacritic wise with GTAV being a 97.

Septic

You are way off. The Last Guardian was a great game that was hammered for its technical flaws, it was deducted major points a much was made about its unstable framerate. It ended up an 82 Metacritic bc of that. Zelda also appears to be a great game with some framerate issues but it seems like very few ppl are calling them (Nintendo/Zelda) on it and even fewer are deducting even a fraction of a point for it. It's a double standard and the framerate/technical aspect of game is part of the criteria it is reviewed on. So while SOME may have called TLG a masterpiece, it was a technically flawed masterpiece and it was rated accordingly.

[its_JEFF]

The drops in frames, and low framerate, should only ding the games score if it's so bad that it affects gameplay. Luckily it only seems to happen when it's in "docked" mode. If the rest of the game is so good that it over comes those technical issues, then it shouldn't affect the score, but of course it's a matter of opinions. Some ppl take that kind of thing into consideration more than others.

So far tho, it's looking like Zelda fans are getting the game they've always wanted... *queue grown men high pitched screams lol

[NecoTehSergal]

I mean....not to burst your bubble....but IGN gave Skyward Sword 10/10 as well....

10/10 is just simply what Zelda gets every fucking time, this isn't extraordinary....this is the score it ALWAYS GETS. NO MATTER WHAT. Zelda, let's be honest here, gets a free pass every time.

[Gaming101]

lol you haven't played the game yet, kid.
I'm just waiting for the 6/10 review from GameCritics for all you dumb fanboys to get your panties in a wad.
Can we please all get GameCritics off Metacritic already?

[skydragoonityx]

No surprises here. GOTY candidate for sure. Zelda breath of the wild is king

[ShadowKnight]

I been saying it would get goty since last year!

[ShadowKnight]

Zelda and Horizon is the best games this year!!!!! Friday can't come soon enough

[KevWriter]

Nioh is pretty damn good too.

[davand114]

Basically.

[Trez1234]

Best game from the best franchise ever!!

[jaymacx]

This is like a good game of bowling strike after strike. Gamers need to put their bias aside and enjoy this great game.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

PSA I just want to put this here so more people see it
When that low Score comes in, Which it will, be it a 7 or a 6, lets not be clowns and imitate Certain people that attack everyones opinion they don't agree with.

[davand114]

They did the same thing with Horizon someone gave it a 2.5/5 which doesn't make any sense.

[sonic989]

for sudden kids who are masquerading as nintendo fans ( while they are just sony haters ) .
one game " Persona 5 "
wait for it, it will come soon enough

[UCForce]

Wow ! That's most impressive, Nintendo ! Well done, my friend.

[pcz]

breath of the wild makes horizon dawn look like pacman.

horizon dawn is just a game of the moment, a spectacle of graphics design that will fade in time and reveal what is a mediocre game hidden under its graphical vineer.

breath of the wild is a genre defining, timeless classic of monumental proportions that has become the new template and standard for all gaming.

[Inzo]

Spoken like someone who has never played HZD.

[candystop]

Regardless of if he played it or not, this is Zelda and not even HZD can hold a candle to this game! Excellent reviews and one of those games that let us know that super duper graphics are not the end all be all.

Edit: Pathetic my azz! Nobody said they weren't both great games but this will never fo forgotten....

http://n4g.com/news/2020583...

[Bennibop]

Let's not be this pathetic. Two great games that are launching the same week, it's a great time to be a gamer not a fanboy.

[GoodnessGreatness]

Zelda is good but don't be pathetic. Horizon zero dawn is far from mediocre.

[Inzo]

@candystop

Clearly you have never read my posts otherwise you would known what my stance was on graphics and gameplay, so enough with the chest beating and take the praise that this game has coming to it. Its a fantastic game by the looks of things but is only one game and an established franchise after all, whereas HZD is a brand new IP not to mention that the PS4 has had several highly rated hits in this year alone.

[bluefox755]

At least HZD can hold 30fps.

[notachance]

now now, BOTW is a masterpiece and it's the single reason I bought Switch day 1, but let's not be this pathetic and downplaying HZD just because you're hyped on Zelda.

Both are great games and people should've play both if they can, no reason to shit on the other if you can only play one of them.

[guyman]

"horizon dawn is just a game of the moment, a spectacle of graphics design that will fade in time and reveal what is a mediocre game hidden under its graphical vineer"

yet it sits on 88 on metacritic and plays incredibly well, but i doubt you've even played it judging from your pathetic attempt at sledging the game.

You clearly are triggered by horizon's success as this article has NOTHING to do with horizon.

On topic:

Zelda is looking fantastic. I might consider getting a switch at some point for this but at the moment finances are constrained.

[kenwonobi]

Says that knowing full well Sony is dominating. Therefore it's game will likely get sold more. Therefore it will likely be remembered as a new franchise having a lasting effect. Where is Switch is probably one of Nintendo last console that might not sell well. Zelda while good and memorable will go down a similar path to Dreamcast's Resident Evil Code Name Veronica. A often forgotten gem and ironic.

[JEECE]

Pacman is one of the classic games of all time. I don't see how that's an insult.

[ninsigma]

You can't call something a timeless classic until you see it stand the test of time. So stop talking out your ass and enjoy what looks like a fantastic game.

[jaymacx]

Wow @pcz thats disrespectful. Both games are games to remember for this generation. We will tell our grandkids about this era

[CP_Company]

what standard? that game is boring,childish and uninteresting? thanks,but we don't need those standards.

[PistolsAtDawn]

HZD is a really good game gameply-wise, but the story sucks for it...so while it IS a great game, it's scores are a bit inflated. I'm not done, but so far it's a solid 8.5-9/10. But yes, it looks like Zelda is gonna dominate Horizon

[corroios]

And some say nintendo gamers are diferent. Mediocre the most advanced open world game on the market.Getting huge review, pushing the genre forward.

You know that zelda could be done on the ps3 and that the switch cant even get 30 frames loocked on a cell shaded game. Imagine hzd on the switch, wait you need a couple of them together to try and run it.

Be happy with the wii u game and try not attack some thing that you will never played .

[WickedLester]

Don't sound like an idiot. BOTH games are awesome. Why can't we just leave it at that?

[deafdani]

Have you even played Horizon?

I haven't, but very rarely do new IPs score as well as Horizon did, especially when they're this ambitious. I think all the great scores it's receiving most likely are there for a valid reason.

[Trez1234]

HZD is a fantastic game and zelda looks like a masterpiece. Don't attack HDZ because zelda will be better than most games and good games and HDZ for a first attempt from GG deserves the praise it's getting.

[BIGBOSS08]

The fact people are even comparing horizon, a new ip against a 30 year old legendary franchise like zelda speaks volumes about how great horizon is so what the hell are you even talking about?

[Last_Boss]

I made sure to downvote you. Get off the bozac!!

[nX]

You guys must be mentally retarded for calling out Horizon. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and Horizon is certainly the more technically impressive title.

[georeo]

It's to early for April fool's bud!

[davand114]

Hzd is a good game. Sure it's not as good as Zelda but that doesn't mean it sucks. HZD i easily top 3 games of the year and will most likely be there at the end of the year.

[princejb134]

You know not everyone is a fan of Zelda right. I actually like horizon. I like Zelda to but I think those games are average at best. But congrats to the Zelda team. I'm sure they'll sell millions.

[gammaray13]

spoken like a true 8 year old that has nothing between the ears...

[hiawa23]

Why even attempt to compare the two? Games can be great without tearing down other games on other platforms

[MVGeneral]

But the switch will still fail.

[patchzon]

LOL, i wonder what you have been smoking before you wrote that comment!

[rainslacker]

So basically, if one games is better than the other, then the lesser game is crap?

Got it. Glad to know. Too bad I already brought Horizon I guess. Sucks to be me. Didn't know I shouldn't be enjoying it.

Too bad I have to wait until I get a switch later this year maybe to partake in the wonder that is BOTW.

OTOH, if BOTW is so amazing that it will make all other games terrible, I better just stay away from it indefinately because I think I'd grow bored of playing BOTW forever until something better comes along.

[pcz]

Actually, forgive me... I'm just getting wound up at the comments saying it's a contender for game of the year, up against titles like horizon dawn...

This game is a contender for greatest game of all time, so it's a discredit to Breath of wild to put it up against horizon dawn.. HD may be a good game, but let's put things into the correct perspective- breath of the wild is monumental and all the other things I said in my previous reply

[WickedLester]

"but let's put things into the correct perspective-"

I'm still waiting for you to do that.

[gammaray13]

Zelda is for 10 year olds with graphics that look 10 yeras old, your a dreamer as Horizon easily destroys this garbage

[ninsigma]

You're getting wound up because people are saying zelda is a game of the year contender and is in the top 2 best games of the year?? Wow. Just wow.

And HZD is a fantastic game. Brings to life the staling open world genre. Zelda games are good (especially wind Waker. Fantastic game) but they are way over hyped by the Nintendo fan Base as these Godly games but in reality they generally don't stand the test of time. New one looks brilliant and reviewers seem to think that's the case. So be happy about that rather than trying to drag down an unrelated game for absolutely no reason at all. You must have been really frightened of HZD before zelda reviews came out.

[Nes_Daze]

It's funny because Nintendo really doesn't have any new great ideas, it's showed terribly with the WiiU and now it will show with the Switch, it will most likely be their last console, they should go the way of Sega and release one great cartoony game in three years like this. After Zelda and Mario, what else is there?

[VforVideogames]

there's a score you don't see on other "superior" consoles.

[Inzo]

Consistency is the key word here, Zelda has probably the highest meta score ever but what about Nintendo's other games? I can can tell you this, Sony’s games consistently score between high 80's to mid 90's, a better exclusive average than any other gaming platform.

[Nyxus]

Q1 of 2017 is just insane...

[conanlifts]

I have to agree.

[Next_gen_2015]

ZELDA IS KING

[davand114]

It might be the best quarter in gaming history

[acekaze]

This is one of those moments I am happy to have a Wii U

[Kosic]

Hopefully this doesn't play like the leaked released hacked version. Heard it takes forever to load, and while out in the world the game can just pause to load graphics and content. But unsure if it's down to the hack (loadiine) or the game file.

[acekaze]

I went check the youtube comparison, its already out, and its great, the WII U version is identical to the switch with the main diference being the slight longer loads + 720p instead the 900p, still way better than I was expecting on fps, both versions have slight decrease of Fps on grassy areas but nothing game breaking but dont take my word for it, go peak yourself for the comparison and relieve your mind like I did mine.

[kevnb]

I dont think anybody is playing breath of the wild on loadiine, and if they are they really should update their methods.

[pcz]

the only moment.

xeno is worth a mention though

[Kosic]

@kevnb Nintendo leaked the files for breath of the wild via their eshop and it was cracked to work on loadiine. But heard it's not that stable with long load times, and random load periods through play. But it has to be loadiine causing the issue.

[kevnb]

why wouldn't people just install it to a usb hard drive? Works so much better.

[EddieNX]

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the best game of all time

[remixx116]

Lol that's a bold title but.....eh I can dig it, wonder if gamestop near me gonna have a 9pm release for it.

[davand114]

If you have a preorder from gamestop I heard that if you don't pick it up by saturday afternoon they will sell your preorder.

[dRanzer]

The last of us

[EddieNX]

I'm afraid we have to have metacritic have the last say

[madmonkey01]

@crotaaa, Ninetendo are held to a lower reviewing standard.

[PistolsAtDawn]

No way...TLoU was a very good game, but it's WILDLY over-rated

[_-EDMIX-_]

Lol easy Eddie

[EddieNX]

I'm just going on the basis of the metascore, that's fair enough isn't it? A compiled score from journalists.

[game4funz]

Even if you're going by meta critic you should know that it's only credible when it's convenient to some people here

[jaymacx]

@EddieNX If we died tomorrow that argument would be (arguably) true lol

[CP_Company]

you wanted to say best overrated game of all time.
those reviews ignoring all the negatives and bad things,

madmonkey01,you are right.

[PistolsAtDawn]

As of right now it does have a solid claim for that.

[TheGamez100]

We'll have to wait til everybody actually gets to play this game to see if thats even true. Definitely will be one of the best games ever made though.

[acekaze]

@madmonkey01 @CP_Company Actually nintendo are held against all other consoles, giving it a much higher bar to achiev since nintendo consoles are weaker than their counterparts , pay in mind this game is being released and constantly compared to Horizon Zero Dawn, which is aparently a great game, and still feels lacking next to zelda, This is nothing short of an amazing feat when you compare what both consoles can do, I know I have them both.

[CP_Company]

lacking what? gameplay? voice acting? mature? horrible performance or tragic graphics?
but hey,compare this franchise with huge fanbase against totally new IP.wow.

[acekaze]

@CP_Company A quote from Metro:

"Having just completed it, we couldn’t help but think of Horizon Zero Dawn while playing Breath Of The Wild, and how simplistic it now seems compared to Zelda. You also have a bow in Breath Of The Wild, but you have to account for how arrows arc through the air, rather than it just acting like a low-tech sniper rifle. Boomerangs have to be caught manually on their return and the best way to defeat the skeletons that appear at night is to chop off their head and punt it into a river, like a goalkeeper trying to make a clearance.
This is just the first five hours, and we still haven’t even mentioned the stealth (there’s an onscreen indicator to show how much sound you’re making) or the horse-riding where you have to catch horses yourself and tame them (by praising them when they do what you tell them). You can have five horses at a time that you keep in a stable, and each has their own unique stats and can be individually named."

Edit : ( http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/...

[rainslacker]

That's not really what I've noticed. I've noticed that Nintendo games seem to get any problems glossed over, to which I can only assume is because Nintendo tends to have the weaker hardware so it's given a pass on performance issues.

Nintendo games are generally pretty good though, and I have no doubt that BOTW is a great game.

[C_Ali88]

Lol butthurt N4g is going wild.... Hahahaha

[Dragonscale]

Very subjective. So no game in the future will ever be better? Thats one hell of a crystal ball you've got there. I can also think of a few past and current titles better tbh. Best zelda game of all time more like.

[nommers]

lol this is going to be funny

[I_am_Batman]

Damn. I really don't want to buy a Switch cause I have no use for the portable aspect of the console but I want to play this game so bad.

[DragonDDark]

I am getting it for the Wii U myself

[I_am_Batman]

That's what I'd do if I had one. Buying a Wii-U is hard to justify right now because it's pretty much a dead console while the Switch has a future ahead of itself and a lot of Wii-U games are being ported with additional content for the Switch. The only real reason (albeit a big one for me personally) to buy a Wii-U over a Switch would be Bayonetta 2 but Nintendo might bring that over to the Switch at some point as well.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I mean that would make sense if he actually own the Wii U but I think it actually makes better sense to just purchase the switch

If anything if I was him I would just wait until the ending of the year or the beginning of next year to purchase it used so that way he could also get the other games that released like Mario Odyssey

[Wrex369]

The fact that this console is launching with a GOAT contender should probably help, right? But wait it's underpowered so.. ;P

[I_am_Batman]

To be fair the only gripe of some reviewers seems to be that the game occasionally drops frames and freezes in docked mode. So a more powerful console would've probably made the game even better. Hopefully they can fix the technical issues with a patch though.

[Wrex369]

True and the UI sounds annoying af. Lol but to be honest all the criticism seems light alongside the fact you can play on the go.

[_-EDMIX-_]

That's what I've been reading as well.

If that can't be fixed with a patch I'm definitely going to worry because I actually intend to play the majority of my games docked.

The ending years of the PSP I actually sort of kept docked For a long time

If there's significance performance issues with games because of what's Happening with the dock, it's definitely not going to help them because it's going to sound as if the feature is technically an afterthough

everything I've been reading this far is telling me the portable itself plays the games flawlessly it's only when it's out putting the television that these performance issues start to happen.

I guess we'll have to see after it's patched

[davand114]

To be fair this is a wiiu port that they only had a year to work on and the wiiu architecture is so different than arm architecture that they basically had to rebuild the game in a year. We will see what the switch is capable of one we get games that are made with the switch in mind.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Isn't this title also releasing for the Wii U?

I'm sure that sell does going to capture many Game of the Year Awards, I'm not sure that's going to continue selling the switch years after its release because that seems just unrealistic simply based on Zelda's historic sales.

Switch is definitely launching with a game of the year Contender with they're also launching with a game that exists on their previous platform that would technically be no different than Sony releasing Horizon zero Dawn 2 at the launch of PlayStation 5 but it's also launching on PlayStation 4 or Microsoft launching the next Xbox with Halo 7 but also releasing it on Xbox One.

It's not saying it's a bad thing it's simply saying how many consumers are going to purchase this device that were already going to purchase it anyway?

I'm sure Zelda being a return to form is something lots of fans of this company want to hear but considering the sales of the previous is all the games I'm not entirely sure those Gamers will return.

Mario Kart 8 is regarded as one of the best Mario Kart games ever released how many of the 36 million that purchase Mario Kart for the Wii returned to purchase the Wii U for that game?

Mind you the example I use this of a bigger series.

This is great for those who are excited for Zelda but I don't know if their fortunes are going to change all that much from one game

I don't see this building there install base because it is too established

Anybody who is a fan of that series was always going to purchase this in the first place.

[davand114]

Actually that's very different than sony launching the ps5 with horizon. With nintendo launching the games on both consoles at the same time its a cross platform launch and with sony launching the ps5 a few years later with horizon that would be a last gen port. Sort of like what they did with the last of us. Mario kart 8 deluxe on the switch would basically be the same as the horizon example.

[mkis007]

Dava...he said Horizon 2.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@dav- my reference was for the theoretical possibility of Horizon 2 launching on both PlayStation 4 as well as PlayStation 5.

I believe it was only by happened chance you didn't see a similar thing happened with The Last of Us

So you have to question is this launching as a switch game or as the port of a Wii U game? Because this is technically not that much different than Mario Kart 8 if you consider that they delayed one game to get these results in the first place.

The concept of porting or transferring a game actually has nothing to do with it already releasing on another platform it's the idea that breath of the wild was made for the Wii U in the first place.

Similar to how World of Final Fantasy was made on the Vita and then transfer it over to the PlayStation 4 they may have released at the same time but it is very clear it had to be made on the least common denominator.

The amount of time in between releases it's actually irrelevant to the concept of transferring

I understand you might have confused what I was saying with Horizon 2 with the first horizon zero Dawn.

No biggie

[Brugal]

Congrats to the creators of this game and those that will be playing it. I don't ever remember a three month period providing us with this amount of incredible games.

[gamer7804]

sweet, definitely a ton of great zelda games on the wiiu. can't wait to play it on mine.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Buddy, it really sucks that the Wii U Got the treatment that it got because it literally has the stable of some of the best Zelda games in one platform.

Wind Waker Twilight Princess Skyward Sword and now breath of the Wild

I don't really know if Ocarina of time or Majora's Mask was put on Virtual Console but as of right now the Wii U is basically the Legacy system for all the great 3D Zelda games.

I mean for the time being because I basically see all the major 3D Zelda games getting ported over to the switch anyway as Nintendo has been known to do that often.

[Fishy Fingers]

Reviewing insanely well and I can only assume how high the expectations of the reviewers were. Super impressed considering the weight of the IP on its shoulders.

Stoked for all the Zelda fans out there.

[--bienio--]

Congratulations!! Great to see this score

[Lon3wolf]

Meta of 98 based on 37 reviews, blimey

[The 10th Rider]

Still at 98 with about 50. . . I was expecting a 93 or so, but if it sticks at a 98 that's just insane. The crazy thing is that if Mario Odyssey, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Last of Us 2 all follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, we could have 4 95+ metacritic games in a little over a year period.

[Lon3wolf]

So many great games releasing 2017, getting this on Wii-U and really looking forward to LoU2, RDR 2, HZD, ME Andromeda (few more not listed) going to be an expensive year :(

[Gaming_Cousin]

It wont stick at 98. Want to know why? Shit gaming sites want to post a low score to get more traffic

[FanMan]

Last of us 2 is not coming this year or even next

[davand114]

That would be crazy, but didn't naughty dog basically say that they haven't started working on tlou 2 yet. That might be a 2019 title

[The 10th Rider]

Ah, thanks for the info about TLoU2, I honestly wasn't aware it was that early in development, though I knew there was no chance it was releasing this year.

@Gaming_Cousin,

Unfortunately I agree with you there. It's still at 98 now, but there's going to be someone who comes along and has to go against the crowd either for clicks or fanboyism. Here's hoping that there's not too many of those.

@Lon3wolf,

There's a ton of incredible looking games this year. I think tis is the year this gen is really coming out swinging, with the Switch really being a continuation of the Wii U. I believe The Last of Us 2, Zelda Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Red Dead Redemption 2 will all be in a league of their own with 95+ metacritic scores, but I also think that we're going to get a lot of great games that finally break the trend of games this gen all scoring <90.

[alb1899]

Switch is a must

[oricon]

nintendo are still king at making games purely on gameplay they don't need to rely artificial stuff in games by focusing on graphics and cinematic stuff that play themselves.

[Fishy Fingers]

I'd say you're selling them short, they make some gorgeous titles and are a testament to the idea that art direction can be just as important as technology (and I'm a PC gamer who puts waaaaay too much stock in tech but enjoy being shown I'm wrong from time to time).

No gripes about gameplay though. They rarely miss a beat.

[_-EDMIX-_]

?

One person at Nintendo does not make a game

it is a company of people that all collaborate together in different areas and aspects so I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about, even the games that actually look good still have developers working on the gameplay aspects as they're not part of the same departments.

This game is getting amazing reviews as its well deserved but please do not soil this company's name by trying to disrespect other Developers.

The irony in your post is that this Zelda has taken Concepts from so many other games that this is likely the reason behind its amazing score is them finally playing catch-up to concepts that have been established from other companies for a very long time.

Randomized dungeons
a larger open-world
Crafting elements etc

These are all elements that have made other titles really amazing and there's no reason that Zelda should be lacking those features so to ignorantly say something like that is a very questionable based on that this game is taking elements from lots of games.

Even reading lots of these reviews I'm not reading anywhere thats suggesting that they invented these features from the ground up

Because the games that you're mentioning ironically are also the games that they're taking a lot of these features from in the first place

[DanteVFenris666]

Zelda doesn't play catch up that's one thing I disagree with. Every Zelda game for the consoles has been extrmley solid

[_-EDMIX-_]

@dan- lol no.

This game is playing Major catch up to very basic concepts of open world RPG design in regards to how they did their questing and regards to waypoints
in regards to random dungeons
even in regards to crafting mind you that isn't a knock to the game I appreciate what they've done in regards to taking these features to heart because they need to get with the program they could not keep ignoring these basic features.

I'm sorry but you cannot appreciate what they've done without recognizing that they had to take so many ques from other games to perfect this game

That is not a knock to the game but is nothing disrespectful to the game in fact I'm buying this is Zelda because they've done this.

What I liked about the original Ocarina of Time had everything to do with the Wonder and the exploration in the cold dungeons what I actually started to not like with the rest of the series was that they did not really progressed in this area I started to play other games like Baldur's Gate in Elder Scrolls to fill that void years later I'm a fan of multiple series because of that feeling of Wonder and exploration that I stopped getting from the Zelda series what this is doing is playing catch up to those features and actually being Progressive something the last several Zelda's I cannot say actually were.

To accept at this Zelda is doing something right you have to admit that the past ones did something wrong and there's no shame in that.

Whenever I was looking for a fun open world game to explore trust me Zelda was not one of those but the ironic thing is it was one of the first series that ever gave me that feeling and it became irrelevant to that concept for me for almost 10 years.

As of right now breath of the wild is going to stand right next to games like The Witcher and Horizon zero Dawn and even Elder Scrolls before me as another great game that I could explore and have fun with in regards to the metagame.

If they have to look at what those games are doing to be successful what is the harm in that? Other companies have been taking from this concept for the longest time you have to understand Ocarina of Time with the greatest point of reference to creating a 3D open world game.

There is no shame in the multitude of developers that looked at that series for inspiration so why is it suddenly a problem that zelda is doing this right now?

They did not invent randomized dungeons or crafting or stamina bars or anything like this.

The best thing that has happened to the series thus far is been understanding they cannot create games in a bubble.

I believe the main core team is probably wanted to do this for a very very very long time and I believe it is Nintendo that is possibly been stopping them in fear of hurting than the static aspect of the series Zelda is a progressive game concept.

This is the way the Zelda series needs to be going forward

you don't play Future Elder Scrolls games that have less features they always have more they always seek to push the envelope.

I don't disagree with the Zelda series being solid I agree they've always actually made a very solid game but from Ocarina of Time To Breath of wild in between those two games you've had a lot of static Concepts that literally remained the same and dated.

Skyward Sword is some crap I never want to see again from this company breath of the wild is the type of sequels that should be making that always seek to Progressive the concept.

[rainslacker]

Purely game play huh? For a story based open world game?

Seems like a good thing I guess.

Don't know how many Nintendo games you've played, but quite a few of them have a lot of story cinematics. Maybe not the graphics of the modern gen, but they use all the other stuff that the competitors use to push a story.

[CP_Company]

one of those overrated games.

[Nyxus]

So you've played it already?

[Sirk7x]

There's 30 different reviewers rating it as 100 on Metacritic right now, but yeah, totally overrated. /s

[I_am_Batman]

It's all a big conspiracy. /s

[deafdani]

Nintendo paid 100 million dollars to each and every one of these reviewers awarding it a 100!

I know this because my uncle works at Nintendo.

[deafdani]

One of these irrational haters.

[C_Ali88]

I know Horizon is..... Jeez wish people would understand that.

[nowitzki2004]

Ok come on.. You are trolling just as bad as he is. Zelda should be better (havent played it ye) but if you think Horizon is overrated you are no further above CP_Company in the trolling department.

[Legatus]

WOW, what a beautiful masterpiece.
Wii U/Switch players enjoy !!
I will too, later this year.

[solideagle]

I have never played Zelda or any Nintendo game since super mario bros because I only owned PlayStation (no deep pockets here). but Nintendo exclusives are always 200% quality. such a talented team.

if Sony (ND, Santa Monica) + Nintendo make a game that would be the awesome :D

[Relientk77]

Damn Zelda is killing it

[MasterCornholio]

It's a good thing that the switch started out with a very strong title.

[The 10th Rider]

I know, right? I was going to wait for a Switch until some more games hit . . . But it is launching with one of the highest rated games of all time. I don't want to buy Zelda for Wii U since I'll be retiring that to the basement, but the wait is almost unbearable. At this point I'm probably stuck waiting until summer because with the way things are going it may be very hard to even find a Switch for the next few months.

[pitythefool]

This has been a phenominal year so far, Jesus it's only March

[DragonDDark]

I just wish Microsoft would release titles like this. It has been a disappointing few months for them.

[pitythefool]

They are getting swallowed up at the moment

[MasterCornholio]

Don't forget we still have the western release of Persona 5, Nier Autómata, Super Mario Odyssey and Read Dead Redemption 2.

It's going to be a crazy year for gaming.

P.S And if the rumors about GOW coming out this year are true then holy crap......

[King_Nintendo]

People keep crying about GRAPHICS GRAPHICS GRAPHICS

Nintendo has proven time and time again, graphics aren't everything. It's the gameplay. The sense of wonder. The feeling of adventure. No company cares about more gameplay than nontendo. That is what gaming is all about. Learn from nintendo and stop this graphics and resolution BS.

6tf this, pro that etc etc. Who cares!! If games aren't fun. Nothing matters.

Thank you so much nintendo for caring about gameplay. You have proven the world what matters the most.

:")

[Utalkin2me]

@King_Nintendo

If thats the case why didnt Nintendo release Zelda a long time ago on the WiiU? I mean, if power doesn't equate to nothing, then why release a new console?

[C_Ali88]

Ahhhh @Utalkin2me because its a Wii U game that is getting 10/10 and why not put it on a console that is launching to boost sales? This has nothing to do with graphical capability or that Nintendo wanted to boost the graphical fidelity seeing as the only difference between the versions would be resolution... I think you're speaking out of your derriere....

imtiyaz is precisely why they waited to put it on the Switch.

[imtiyaz6]

I am seriously planning to buy a Switch just for this game alone, but you have to admit Nintendo's choice of using cel-shaded texture, even though it can be very stylish, is still an easy way out when it comes to presentation. They get to spend most of their creative time and resources focusing solely on the gameplay department, while GG, Rockstar and ND have a pressure to focus on both gameplay and graphics. I mean, I like Zelda's art style, but designing top-notch level graphics, like UC4 and HZ, on a limited hardware takes up a hell lot of development time and money. TBH, I prefer playing games that does both graphics and gameplay well. It's nice to have some games use a unique art style instead of trying to replicate the real world, but if all games started looking like Zelda, we would grow sick of it too.

[SirBradders]

I agree with you mate I really do but the frame rate dips and constant loading don't warrant a 10/10 simply because that fun gamelan becomes rudely interrupted and causes frustration.

[rainslacker]

I agree with this, but Nintendo has a habit of having a rather predictable art direction. I don't consider the art bad or anything, but I tend to like a bit more variety than updated from the 8 bit gen look. A more realistic looking Zelda would be a nice change of pace, however, I do like the cell shaded look of BOTW.

Nintendo more often than not does nail the game play though. There are some exceptions, but they tend to be few and far between.

[Emme]

So Wii U gets a top game...again. First party Nintendo games are always on par or better thsn MS or sony games :D

[LexHazard79]

That is Awesome! Zelda still got it!!

Edit: I respect that, so I deleted it. But you know its true!

[King_Nintendo]

Can we keep this BS out of this review article? It's time for us ninty fans celebrations so stop spoiling our moment by pissing of other groups so that they can hijack this article.

[LexHazard79]

I edited it. And I wasnt spoiling your moment. I defended Zelda during that time! I was just saying..

2nd edit: I should have left my original comment! Why you afraid of the fanboys?

[Utalkin2me]

@King_Nintendo

Seems someone has very, very thin skin.

[LexHazard79]

@utalkin2me,

You need to mind your damn business. Dont even know what I wrote about!

Thin Skin? Thats you all the time downplaying everything and talking shit when you know nothing!

But let me go through your comment history and see if you're one of the people who had negative things to say regarding Zelda.

Which is what my intial comment was about , he just didn t want it to stir up some shit on the thread. So I edited it.
I didnt have to explain myself but that was it! So how about you go play some games and stay out of peoples business. Lol! You're one of the biggest trolls on the site....

[pitythefool]

Yawn

[LexHazard79]

You played and beat it already? That was fast. So it was a yawner?

[pitythefool]

@Lex

No your childish comment that has been edited was boring.

[LexHazard79]

Lol, you mean the comment you never read! And yet call me childish!

[pitythefool]

@Lex

Yes I read it.

Gibbering on about HZD in a thread that has nothing to do with it, care to take another swing and a miss.

[King_Nintendo]

Thank you brother for editing. Much appreciated.

[x_BlackRose]

Wow, two GOTY contenders within the past few days. Horizon and Zelda. Worst part is I just got my tax return and I want to be responsible with it. Sh*t it's alright to get at least one of the two, right?

[candystop]

Zelda isn't a contender, it's the winner, period! Horizon is defintely a contender for 2nd and 3rd place though!

[peewee11016]

Lol this kid

[Wallstreet37]

Ill be playing this beast in a day or so, cant wait. My go to review site "easy allies" gave it a 90 so i know its good money :)

[Inzo]

Definitely the front runner for game of the year. What a time to be a gamer...............Well, at least for Playstation and Nintendo gamers.

[Takwin]

I cannot believe that two games that will be in my all-time top ten will release within a week of each other. Horizon Zero Dawn is already right behind The Witcher 3, The Last of Us, and Mass Effect 2. This might edge its way close to the very top.

[Einhander1971]

There it is fanboys Nintendo show how it's done. Roll on Friday:)

[Sirk7x]

Nintendo showing that when they truly put their all into a game, they end up raising the standard of excellence for the entire industry. I can't wait to play this on Friday! I'll admit, I'm trying not to tear up watching some of the video reviews xD

[PGRfox]

I get the great score, I really do. But why are reviewers so easy on Nintendo's faults?? He did BRIEFLY mention the poor performance such as slowdown, pop-in - whereas any other game you'd hear all about it and there would be penalties in the score.

[Majin-vegeta]

Yup any other game and they would have been chewed up for it

[C_Ali88]

actually no, TLOU scored very well and quite frankly the remaster had a lot of pop in and some minor texture fill delay.... Does that make it not a great game?

People used to freaking play with indiscernible blobs of pixels, and still had loads of fun... This is some modern gamer trope that believe the more beautiful a game is the better it should be scored. In so much that we now have more interactive movies pretending be games than actual immersive video games.

So no not all games get penalized for it especially when it does little to detract from the overall experience. Get over it.

[SirBradders]

Exactly bro. Zelda hasn't been about for a while and neither has a big hitting Nintendo game, I feel there's an element of fanboyism in some of these reviews.

Not to say the games crap but I don't see why it gets a free pass for basically loading half way through a session.

[ONESHOTV2]

congrats to Nintendo on this is a must buy

[christocolus]

Damn. Congrats Nintendo. Well done.

[peewee11016]

Why are people comparing it to HZD... LoL...
They have been working I this Zelda what 10 years? Also HZD was made by a studio who has never made an open world game...
HZD will always be an amazing game. It will win Many game awards but anyone who thinks this touches HZD is a blind fanboy

[pitythefool]

Sorry are you saying that anyone who prefers Zelda over HZD is a fanboy.

[peewee11016]

Well obvi you can't read context. Read it till you understand.

[pitythefool]

Well your comment doesn't make sense you said that HZD will always be amazing but anyone who thinks that it touches HZD is a blind fanboy.

So HZD can't touch itself ?

Would learn to string a coherent sentence together before you try and be a smart arse.

[PGRfox]

I think there is a fair comparison, one I will make myself when I get Zelda tomorrow. I've been playing HZD nonstop, so lets see if Zelda can suck me in the same way. Graphics wise though, no comparison. HZD blows it away especially on the Pro.

[C_Ali88]

Shut up peewee, you make no freaking sense.. Pandering to a crowd, hoping in desperation you can find any excuse to make it seem untrue... Guess what? Zelda is the better game reviewers have directly compared the two and Zelda wins out..... lol a fanboy trying to call others fanboys....because his game of choice isn't the BESTEST!!!!

[Last_Boss]

Incredible congratulations Nintendo!!

F & U fanboys on all sides, play games not scores.

[Petebloodyonion]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Sorry to says I Told you so but I told you so!

Here's my comment from 4 days ago

"Just a reminder: with every Zelda, review come:
http://ca.ign.com/articles/...
"(put the Zelda game name) is the greatest Zelda game ever created"
and
"(put your Zelda game name)will be remembered for revitalizing a franchise that had, for a time, seemingly settled for being merely great instead of revolutionary. Once again, Nintendo is demonstrating its unparalleled ability to craft some of the greatest gameplay this industry has ever seen."

Here's the comment from IGN from this Zelda game
"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a masterclass in open-world design and a watershed game that reinvents a 30-year-old franchise"

[C_Ali88]

They have a place for people who laugh to themselves...... Ahhh "Reinvents" is not the same as "revitalizes"...... You may need to try again.

Reinventing would be taking all thats made Zelda and deviating to create something new and fresh, whereas Revitalizing is giving new life to a series or game but not specifically changing or deviating. You could revitalize by reinvention but they are not synonyms.

[Petebloodyonion]

Well ok, if you want to play on wording than here's the other reviews:

Gamespot
"Breath of the Wild is a defining moment for The Legend of Zelda series, and the most impressive game Nintendo has ever created."

Dualshockers (hey at least they are honest)
"Before I begin the review, I must make a note. It is a well-known bias that all new The Legend of Zelda games are considered the best to have ever existed in the series. Only years ago, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was deemed the most ingenious, creative, and best Zelda title to date. Today, it is often derided as one of the worst games in the series, especially when compared to classics like Link’s Awakening and The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker."

Giantbomb
"Nintendo has never introduced a true disaster to their core Legend of Zelda series, but most of the last ten years has felt lacking in inspiration"
"This sense of wonder is something that I haven’t felt so strongly since I played A Link to the Past when I was seven years old. Ocarina of Time was able to capture some of that same magic in my teenage years"
- For fun let's look at Skyward review Gianbomb
"Skyward Sword is the best Zelda game in years"

Should I continue?

[rainslacker]

You'd have to have actual journalist who care about using the proper words when writing their work to actually get the right context in their work.

You ask for too much.

[DanteVFenris666]

Sony fanboys are out with their disagrees. Did you really want this game to fail that badly?

Jesus grow up people.

[Utalkin2me]

Funny how you call people fanboys, then turn around and tell people to grow up....SMFH

[DanteVFenris666]

Yes because an adult wouldn't behave in the manner must are conducting themselves. No need to hate a game just because you don't own the console. No need to compare it to horizon to trigger Sony fanboys either from the Nintendo fanboys side.

[C_Ali88]

Boys need to grow up... thats why they are called BOYS.... Don't see the hilarity or irony....

[KevWriter]

It's human nature. First, you have to pick a side. Then you have to knock the other side to lift yourself up. Most people do it, including many Nintendo fans (see all the comments about what crap HZD is compared to Zelda), so it's not just Sony fans.

[rainslacker]

Sony fan boys didn't want this to fail. Maybe 1 in 100 did. But damn the Nintendo fan boys are in here acting like they just won the entire world because Nintendo released an exemplary game.

Just an FYI, Sony fan boys don't generally hate Nintendo, they do tend to talk crap about MS though. There is no real war between Sony and Nintendo. The war is between Sony and MS. At least with the forum fan boys. Nintendo hasn't been part of any real console war for a long time now. Since the Wii, where they actually "won" the generation, but people wouldn't give them that credit, and the WiiU was too little too late, and as of right now, Switch is an unknown, but generally being placed into the handheld category instead of the home console category where most of the fan boys wars wage.

Hopefully switch shakes things up this gen though. The MS/Sony war is getting boring.

[senorfartcushion]

I don't know about this one? Jose Otero reviewed it. That means that it was always going to be a 10/10. Skyward Sword received that score too. It is like Ryan MCcaffrey reviewing an Xbox game.

These companies make healthy relationships with people they know will benefit them, especially review-wise.

They go as far as to pay people to help seek them out.

[DanteVFenris666]

Than you could put that same logic to the last of us or any other game you like that you thought deserved the score. That's the problem with your logic is it can be used against you for games you think deserve their scores. Metacritic I believe is a good bet as it is an average. Even though some websites are trolls and review low for clicks. That's something that happens to all games so it's even.

Skyward sword has a 93 on metacritic it was a damn fun game.

[goatking]

This game is averaging a 9.8 out of 10, I doubt nintendo payed every gaming website on the internet.

[C_Ali88]

Bias

its everywhere don't point it out when it doesn't suit your needs.

[itsmebryan]

I'm glad to see that this game is well received. I don't have a Nintendo but, as a game I'm always glad to have good games that expand the gamer family.

[theshredded]

Japan's just better at making games and I'm just glad they're making a comeback, I laugh at those who even thought Horizon would score higher rofl!

[Imalwaysright]

Yep, what I learned a long time ago. Power is NOT what makes great games. Devs creativity, passion and how they execute their vision is what makes masterpieces. That's why I don't understand when people say that the Switch is underpowered as a reason to not buy it.

Oh and again, Nintendo showing why their 1st party is a force to be reckoned with.

[rainslacker]

Power is only really important to maintain multi-plat support, and said power has to be comparable to whatever the market leader is during a generation to maintain support.

So long as there is enough power to maintain current levels of game design(not graphics but actual implementations), any game could be made. For the most part, all this gen has offered is prettier graphics, but most of the game play we've seen was available last gen, with a few things here or there that would have been more difficult.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Zelda is KILLING IT...I can't wait, but in a weird twist of cruelty...I get my Switch tomorrow, but Zelda not until Tuesday :( I guess the silver lining is that it gives me more time to finish Horizon before moving on.

[PistolsAtDawn]

It's insane that so far the LOWEST score for this game I have seen is 9/10. I know lower ones are out there, but so far that's the lowest I've seen. Fantastic news.

[quent]

Where are all the usual suspects. Bashing on nintendo ?

[dubal-e]

Can't wait until TOMORROW!!! hell TONIGHT !!

[Ashunderfire86]

The year if the open world games! Holyyyyyy Shit! Yakuza 0, Horizon Zero Dawn, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Ghost Recon Wildlands, Nier Automata, Mass Effect Andromeda, Prey(Yes because you can go anywhere on the space station), Crackdown 3, Middle Earth: Shadow of War, and Red Dead Redemption 2! Heck maybe more yet to be announce open world games.

I knew that Zelda: Breath of the Wild was gonna get more 10s and some 9s than Horizon Zero Dawn. Look Horizon Zero Dawn will win the best visuals category, and probably best game on PS4. I am playing it right now an having alot of fun with it. The bread an butter for Horizon is hunting down robot dinosaurs that is very interesting to fight. The storyline is great also. As for the side quest I played so far, not the best but not the worst. I played Witcher 3 a game that is known to have the best side quest, Horizon is about average on this one. Horizon Zero Dawn is more of a story driven open world game, while Breath of the Wild is more of a survival open world experience. You can tell from the previews that you have to feed Link, give him the proper suits for different environments. Lightening strike Link if he is wearing all metal, hand gliding is stamina base, running is stamina base, swimming is stamina base, heck climbing is stamina base lol! Yes this game is a survival experience, especially with the enemy A.I. kicking your ass! You can beat the game without following the main story! You literally can go anywhere! And this game doesn't hold your hands like other open world games. The pioneer of Action RPG is back, and here to take the crown! But wait on the horizon we got other games that could be a triple threat like Middle Earth Shadows of War, Mass Effect Andromeda, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Let's see what game gets game of the year. The game of the year is going to be an open world game for sure.

[imtiyaz6]

As a hardcore PS fanboy, I am seriously considering buying a Switch just for this game. To all the MS fanboys, who now hide behind Nintendo and PC to s**t on PlayStation: Seriously, just stop, we all know you're bitter about the Xbox being dead. Nothing will undo MS's f**kups, and Sony will keep dominating the market

[C_Ali88]

I have my ps4 and getting my Switch today.... Honestly theres nothing to be afraid of brand loyalty doesn't reward you like it does the companies you're so devoted to.

[imtiyaz6]

This is n4g, bro. You gotta have brand loyalty to have some fun here. It's just like having a sports team, you don't need to be all PC here. I started coming here since 2008, just cuz I enjoy all the trash talking.This was literally the only pro-Playstation back then, the media, then, just outright bashed Sony. Even after MS's fuck up at Xbone's launch, the media still went relatively easy on it compared to the crusade they had on the PS3 back then.

[rainslacker]

Considering getting my WiiU back from my cousins kid to play it. OTOH, I'll likely buy a switch later this year, so might just hold out. Do have a lot of back log, but I liked the look of this Zelda during the marketing....but as of now, it'd be the only game I'd be interested in on the system.

[YAO-BLING]

lol at the xbox kids praising a game they wont even play as well.. just need something to cheer for because horizon is that damn good. not taking anything away from zelda as well.. love my japanese consoles!

[Chaosdreams]

I'm glad this is reviewing so well. I'll pick up a Switch in a couple of months when I get a better sense of how they plan to support the overall hybrid console. (But Chaos, how can you possibly wait?) I'll tell you. So many games!!!!

[goatking]

Now that this is out, I want an HD version of skyward sword without motion controls, and maybe a new 2d top-down game, or maybe a new open world one like this.

[XStation4pio_Pro]

Props. I'm sure it's fantastic.

[ger2396]

This is how you launch a console!

[lifeordeath617]

trying my hardest to not watch the video lol. So tempting!

[BlakHavoc]

Holy hell!! 98 meta! 3rd highest ever, I'm shook...

[Gr8saiyaman88]

I just came to see all the salty PS4Gboy downvotes :D

[CodeNameTBW2]

dick riding

[rataranian]

Ill wait until it drops to $20 on wiiU. Until then I have Horizon, Nier, Yakuza, River City Ransom, Fire Emblem etc etc.

[PFFT]

Nahhh i still think Horizon has GOTY. As much as i think Zelda will be a great title it still has nothing on Horizon.

[Cobra951]

This is what happens when developers pour their hearts and souls into a solid game, and when the money people don't hamstring them along the way. See? It still can be done--just not very often.

Congratulations to Nintendo. I hope Zelda carries lots of Switches on its coattails into buyers' hands.

Edit: On a less rosy topic, the clickout to the IGN story is getting N4G reported as an attack site. Sorry!

-----------
"Reported Attack Page!

"This web page at n4g.com has been reported as an attack page and has been blocked based on your security preferences.

"Attack pages try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system.

"Some attack pages intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners."
-----------

[nommers]

IGN and Edge gave Skyward Sword a 10 as well so I'll take this with a grain of meh

[gedden7]

But the system got a 6.7??? Which isn't final I might add...

[Platformgamer]

This is intellectually dishonest, technically and gameplay-wise is mediocre, however the graphic is fascinating and the story i can bet that's amazing like the majority of the previous titles. an honest vote is 7 MAX 8 but 10 oh f**k no

[Blu3_Berry]

Well well, looks like we got a potential GOTY. Good job Nintendo.

[txboy05]

Welp I'm about to save up slowly for a Wii U I gotta play this

[opinionated]

Lol what a joke. I will never understand the Zelda bias. It is what it is I guess.

[TheVetOfGaming]

Very good reviews all round for this game. It would be nice to see Nintendo become like they were in the snes days. I'm a Sony player, but Nintendo will always have my respect. I may buy a switch later on in the year.

[CommanderPYE]

Someone finally found the correct water to land ratio :)

[Father__Merrin]

clearly this was going to be a gargantuan game but its only 1 game. last 2 gens it was the same staple games are 10/10 then thats it

[Petebloodyonion]

My only real complaint with the review is the usual Jerking to Nintendo main franchises that are reviewed with different standards compare to the rest of the 3rd parties games and the praise of Standard things like it was a revolution of the world.

Point 1) The Sooooo Important story in other games that cost point in other games reviews.
Go see the review of all 3rd parties game (Witcher, Farcy, Assassin's creed, Dying light, etc.)
they all seem to take a hit in score due to: Generic, Stoy line or boring NPC),
How come Zelda's lack of story is never called in question?
http://ca.ign.com/articles/...
http://ca.ign.com/articles/...

Point 2)
From this review:
"But what elevates Breath of Wild above its open-world contemporaries is its sheer freedom, both in its non-linear questing structure and in your ability to climb almost any surface and travel in any direction once you leave the starting area"

I guess he never played: Farcry, Skyrim, Fallout, Batman, Witcher, Red dead redemption, or basically any good open world game.

"For instance, a tantalizing island far off the coast of the mainland was just out of my paragliding reach for the first several hours until after I’d upgraded my abilities"

Really?

Point 3) compared to the best!
This game is reviewed a 10 meaning it's an essential so the main question is:
What does it do better compare to Witcher 3 to deserve a better score?

Now I'm not trying to devalue the greatness of Zelda here, just pointing that like MGS5 this review seem to be easy on topics that are so important in less hyped games.

[Livecustoms]

Its gonna be between this and Rdr2 for GOTY in my opinion.

[FallenAngel1984]

This currently has a 98 on Metacritic

[Yui_Suzumiya]

And I thought Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition would be GOTY

[DEEBO]

Got my switch and Zelda pay for with the 50% trade at game stop.
Midnight can come soon enough.

[Randostar]

No matter how much game stites praise this N4G users will still downvote the shit out of people who say this is better than a PS4 game.

[higgins78]

Nintendo just once again skooled every developer working today. Mic drop? and then some...

[ARESWARLORD]

I have to say Nintendo is back at it with a force to be reckoned with

[Bruh]

Nintendo does it again, one of the highest rate titles of all time. The Switch on Day 1 has a title better than anything on PS4 or Xbox One haha

[jc12]

ok, so there's one reason to buy a switch...unfortunately thats the only reason.

[Platformgamer]

And it's on wiiU too so...

[Kerppamaister]

Ps fans must be devastated.

[Ninver]

The japanese are killing it right now. Best and most memorable experiences are always delivered by japanese consoles. Take note dubebros

[hiawa23]

Looks like the Nintendo fans has some pep in their step. Good to see the excitement.

[Saito]

You guys are so easy to impress. I'll take my leave.

[joab777]

While Zelda is my favorite IP of all time, and this game will definitely be the best since Ocarina and probably the original, I do believe that the 10 today is inflated because of its namesake.

If it were released as an X1 exclusive and called something like "Jewel", it would be praised and become a hit, but every flaw would be compared to contemporary benchmarks and scores would be about a point lower.

That said, I couldn't be happier that this game was made. And the truth is that it is nostalgic for me, and I will enjoy the hell out of it.

[NotAFanboyyy]

Damn...don't own a switch but I am seriously thinking of picking one up for this masterpiece. Until then, I'll get my open-world fix with Horizon on my PS4 Pro.

[wolf581]

oh my god......bow beating all zelda games in gamerankings/metacritic and even matches the legendary masterpiece of 1998 ocarina of time .....in 10 hours im ready for unboxing ...

[dillhole]

I haven't owned a Nintendo console since the Gamecube.......maybe it is time again.
Now can you please remaster all the best games I have missed inbetween. Thnx

[R3DRAIN89]

How much did Nintendo pay ign?

[Platformgamer]

Nintendo paid ang beg to be nice to all the reviewers from what i see.

[Srelhow]

If its got a poor frame rate that has lots of drops how can that not be taken into consideration when scoring a game? All aspects of a game make it what it is. Story, animations, visuals, content, controls, and how well the software runs on said system should be accounted for. I'm not saying that this game doesn't have potential to be a great game but flaws are flaws.

[jholden3249]

Already tied for second highest rated video game of all time