The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The majority of critics praised the story of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, highlighting its engaging narrative, emotional depth, and surprising twists. Critics like Forbes appreciated the direct continuation from Breath of the Wild, introducing new elements and characters while revisiting key parts of Hyrule's history. GameSpot commended the engaging narrative with themes of heroism and collective responsibility, emphasizing emotional revelations and unique companion interactions. The storyline was deemed captivating, with innovative mechanics and engaging gameplay elements, as noted by GRYOnline.pl. On the downside, some critics expressed concerns about the storytelling in Tears of the Kingdom. Critics such as But Why Tho? and Pure Nintendo criticized the narrative journey for being underserved, falling apart, and feeling disjointed due to repetitive events and poorly executed cutscenes. Noisy Pixel mentioned the lack of memorable moments and forgettable characters, while Worth Playing highlighted missed opportunities for a direct sequel and repetitive elements from the previous game. Overall, despite some mixed opinions, the consensus among the majority of critics leans towards a positive view of the story in Tears of the Kingdom. Critics appreciated the game's immersive narrative, emotional depth, and engaging twists, showcasing a compelling journey for players to experience. The blend of familiar elements from previous Zelda games with innovative storytelling approaches seemed to resonate well with critics, offering a mix of mystery, action, and character growth. The game managed to strike a balance between familiarity and innovation, drawing players in with its rich lore and expanding on the Zelda universe post-Breath of the Wild.

The gameplay of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many praised the game for introducing innovative mechanics and abilities that added depth and creativity to gameplay. Critics like Digital Trends and But Why Tho? highlighted the game's encouragement of creative thinking and exploration, offering immersive sim elements and diverse activities. The introduction of new gameplay mechanics like Zonai devices and the Fuse system, as mentioned by Checkpoint Gaming, provided players with creative solutions to puzzles and combat scenarios. The game's versatile gameplay, rewarding traditional and unconventional playstyles, as noted by Shindig, allowed for unique experiences for each player. On the downside, some critics pointed out certain issues with the gameplay of Tears of the Kingdom. The Jimquisition mentioned concerns about weapon breakage, convoluted controls, and frustrating mechanics like the cooking system. IGN Portugal noted a lack of the sense of exploration and challenging puzzles expected from a Zelda game, while Pure Nintendo criticized the dungeons for being too open and lacking mystery. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment from the critics suggests that the positives of the gameplay outweigh the negatives for most players. In conclusion, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom received high praise for its innovative gameplay elements, diverse activities, and creative mechanics that offered players a fresh and engaging experience. Critics like VGC and GameSpot highlighted the game's introduction of new abilities for creative experimentation and problem-solving, encouraging player creativity and exploration. While there were some minor issues raised by a few critics regarding specific gameplay mechanics, the general consensus among the reviewers is that the gameplay of Tears of the Kingdom was very good, providing players with a rewarding and immersive gaming experience in the world of Hyrule.

The majority of critics praised The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for its stunning visuals and impressive art design. Many reviewers highlighted the diverse landscapes, detailed environments, and vibrant world that the game presents. Critics like GamingBolt and GameSpot commended the game for its vibrant and alive world, diverse landscapes, and rich dungeon designs. The visual enhancements, attention to detail, and improved aesthetics were also noted positively by critics such as Impulsegamer and GameSkinny. Additionally, the game's expansive open world, new areas like Sky Islands and The Depths, and visually appealing art design were appreciated by critics like XGN and ZTGD. On the downside, some critics mentioned issues with the game's graphics and visual design. JeuxActu pointed out technical issues like frame rate drops and texture quality problems that persisted in the game. Gamer.nl and Softpedia noted struggles with frame rate drops on the Nintendo Switch, especially in handheld mode. IGN France criticized the lack of identity and sense of repetition in the game's visuals. Additionally, Eurogamer Poland mentioned rough resolution for enemies and NPCs, while TierraGamer highlighted areas that may lack depth visually. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The game is widely praised for its gorgeous landscapes, stunning visuals, and attention to detail, with many critics commending the art direction and diverse environments. Despite some technical issues like frame rate drops and occasional visual shortcomings, the majority of reviewers found the game's graphics to be very good, enhancing the overall immersive experience and pushing the limits of the Nintendo Switch hardware. The game's expansive world, improved aesthetics, and visually stunning presentation have left a lasting impression on critics, making Tears of the Kingdom a visually captivating and artistically rich addition to The Legend of Zelda series.

The Sound Design and Music of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. COGconnected praised the fantastic music, highlighting the unique tracks for each town that added depth and different vibes to the game. IGN Brasil also commended the soundtrack for maintaining the iconic Zelda sound while introducing new compositions, effectively blending familiar themes with fresh elements. Additionally, Impulsegamer noted standout voice acting and brilliant updated music that combined old and new elements, enhancing the immersive experience for players. The overall sentiment among critics was one of admiration for the exceptional sound design and music that elevated the gameplay experience. Despite the widespread acclaim, a few critics did express some minor criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of Tears of the Kingdom. Cubed3 mentioned that while the musical and sound design added to the unique atmosphere of the game, there could have been more differentiation in the sound design to further enhance the overall experience. VG247 pointed out that while the soundtrack created a great atmosphere, the voice acting was considered hokey, slightly detracting from the overall immersion. Washington Post noted that the music lacked the iconic themes of the series, opting instead for atmospheric piano tinkles, which may have been a departure for some fans of the franchise. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Critics such as Hey Poor Player praised the game for featuring one of the series' best soundtracks with beautiful tracks that will stand the test of time. IGN France highlighted the adaptation and music, emphasizing beautiful moments and cinematic flair. The majority of reviewers appreciated the immersive audio design, captivating soundtracks, and exceptional voice acting that collectively enhanced the overall gaming experience. Despite some minor critiques, the general sentiment is that the sound design and music of Tears of the Kingdom significantly contributed to the game's success and should be celebrated as a standout feature.

The voice acting in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Critics like Impulsegamer and Nintenderos praise the standout voice acting, with Impulsegamer specifically mentioning the talented Matthew Mercer adding depth to the game's narrative. Nintenderos also highlights the exceptional Spanish voice acting that enhances the overall experience. Additionally, GamingBolt appreciates how the expanded voice acting contributes to the overall experience, while Nintendo Insider commends the voice actors for delivering commendable performances that breathe life into the characters. These positive opinions indicate that the voice acting successfully adds depth and enhances the storytelling for some critics. On the other hand, there are critics like Pure Nintendo and VG247 who express more negative views on the voice acting. Pure Nintendo describes the voice acting as okay but not essential to the experience, mentioning that it can feel dramatic and disconnect the player from the scene. VG247 goes further to describe the voice acting as Saturday morning cartoon-like and not well-directed. Gamereactor Finland also points out that exaggerated voice acting may not appeal to everyone. These criticisms suggest that while some find the voice acting to be immersive and enhancing, others feel that it can be overly dramatic, disconnected, and not well-directed, potentially detracting from the overall experience for certain players. Overall, the opinions on the voice acting in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are varied. While some critics appreciate the depth and enhancement it brings to the narrative, others find it exaggerated, disconnected, and not well-directed. The consensus seems to lean towards a positive reception of the voice acting, with critics like Gaming Age and T3 acknowledging that it adds to the overall story experience and depth of storytelling. However, it is important to note that personal preferences play a significant role, as highlighted by critics such as Pure Nintendo and VG247, who found the voice acting to be less appealing. Ultimately, the voice acting in the game seems to have a polarizing effect, with some players enjoying its contribution to the experience while others may find it detracts from immersion.

In terms of technical performance on the Nintendo Switch, several critics highlighted positive aspects. For instance, IGN Adria praised the game for its impressive technical performance and optimization expertise from Monolith Soft. Additionally, GameSpot commended the smooth gameplay experience, even in handheld mode, showcasing the game's ability to run well on the Switch. Critics like Nintenderos and Siliconera noted stable frame rates and no bugs or issues at launch, contributing to a technically impressive and stable experience. On the downside, some critics pointed out negative aspects of the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch. For example, COGconnected mentioned occasional framerate issues during intense scenes, while Pocket-lint highlighted occasional frame rate drops and slowdowns impacting overall performance. Critics like KeenGamer and Softpedia noted occasional frame drops and stutters, with Softpedia also mentioning a lack of accessibility options as a drawback. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the Nintendo Switch is generally positive, with many reviewers acknowledging the game's ability to run smoothly on the aging hardware. While occasional framerate issues and technical limitations were mentioned by some critics, the majority praised the game for its stable performance, impressive optimization, and smooth gameplay experience. This indicates that despite minor technical hiccups, the overall technical performance of the game on the Nintendo Switch was well-received by critics, showcasing the developers' efforts in delivering an enjoyable gaming experience on the platform.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has garnered high praise from the majority of critics for its exceptional replay value. Many reviewers highlighted the game's vast world full of mysteries, hidden gems, and challenging puzzles, offering endless possibilities for exploration and creativity. Areajugones commends the game for providing a playtime of around 40 hours for the main story and over 100 hours for completionists, ensuring a rich and rewarding gaming experience. Dexerto and Digital Trends also emphasize the game's creative gameplay mechanics, diverse combat options, and the Autobuild feature, which enhance replayability by offering unique and rewarding experiences each time the game is played. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks that may impact the overall replay value of Tears of the Kingdom. Pure Nintendo mentions that while the game offers a lot to do, it lacks substance in terms of rewards, which may disappoint fans seeking classic Zelda elements. IGN Portugal notes that the game, despite glimpses of being a perfect sequel, is held back by its extended duration and a sense of familiarity, potentially hindering replayability for some players. The Jimquisition finds solace in the engaging experiences offered in the Depths but suggests that the overall gameplay experience may not strongly encourage replayability. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the replay value of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The game's extensive content, innovative gameplay mechanics, captivating storytelling, and emphasis on exploration and experimentation have been widely praised. Reviewers like COGconnected, Player 2, and Press Start Australia highlight the multitude of side quests, shrine challenges, engaging optional bosses, and a variety of activities that offer substantial replay value, estimating over 100 hours of gameplay for completion. Eurogamer Poland and TierraGamer commend the game for providing endless possibilities for exploration and a mix of action and puzzle-solving elements, ensuring a personalized and engaging experience for players. With the majority of critics lauding the game's replay value, Tears of the Kingdom stands out as a must-play title for fans of the genre seeking a deeply immersive and rewarding gaming experience.