The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review

Developer: Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action-Adventure, Open-World
Release Date: May 12, 2023

Score: 10/10

Introduction

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom arrives with monumental expectations, serving as the sequel to Breath of the Wild, one of the most acclaimed games of all time. Nintendo could have played it safe by iterating lightly on the original, but Tears of the Kingdom is anything but a mere expansion. Instead, it builds upon its predecessor’s foundation with an unparalleled level of ambition, offering deeper systems, a richer world, and a narrative that ties together generations of Zelda lore. The result is a masterpiece that not only lives up to its legendary status but redefines what an open-world game can be.

Story: Expanding the Lore of Hyrule

The story of Tears of the Kingdom begins with Link and Zelda exploring the mysterious depths beneath Hyrule Castle. A sudden calamity—caused by the resurrection of Ganondorf, the Demon King—throws the kingdom into chaos, splitting Link and Zelda apart and scattering fragments of Hyrule across floating islands in the sky. Link, now imbued with mysterious powers from an ancient Zonai artifact, must piece together the shattered world, uncover the truth of Hyrule’s ancient history, and stop Ganondorf’s malevolent plans.

The narrative is much more prominent and emotionally impactful than in Breath of the Wild. It weaves together Zelda’s traditional themes of courage, wisdom, and power with an expanded backstory of the Zonai, an ancient race tied to the origins of Hyrule. Story beats are delivered through memories found throughout the world, echoing the structure of Breath of the Wild while providing more emotional resonance and clarity. The stakes feel higher, the characters richer, and the payoff deeply satisfying for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Gameplay: A Symphony of Creativity and Freedom

At its core, Tears of the Kingdom retains the open-world exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat of its predecessor. However, the game introduces several groundbreaking mechanics that fundamentally reshape how players interact with the world.

New Abilities
Link’s new abilities are game-changers, providing tools for unparalleled creativity and problem-solving:

Ultrahand: This ability allows players to build vehicles, bridges, and structures using parts found in the world. Whether crafting a flying machine or constructing a makeshift raft, Ultrahand encourages experimentation and ingenuity.
Fuse: Weapons can now be fused with objects to create entirely new tools. Fusing a stick with a rock creates a makeshift hammer, while attaching explosive materials to arrows allows for custom projectiles. This system revitalizes weapon durability by rewarding players for creativity.
Ascend: With this ability, Link can phase through ceilings, drastically altering exploration. What once required climbing can now be bypassed with clever vertical traversal.
Recall: This ability rewinds the movement of objects, leading to unique puzzle solutions and combat opportunities.

These mechanics make Tears of the Kingdom feel like a sandbox for experimentation. Every challenge has multiple solutions, and the game rewards players for thinking outside the box.

Sky Islands and Depths
The addition of the sky and underground realms dramatically expands Hyrule’s scope. The Sky Islands provide ethereal, puzzle-rich environments that contrast with the more grounded regions of Hyrule below. Meanwhile, the Depths are a vast, eerie underground network filled with danger and discovery. These new layers create a sense of verticality and mystery, making exploration feel fresh and unpredictable.

Dungeons
A major improvement over Breath of the Wild is the return of more traditional dungeons. While still maintaining an open-ended approach, these dungeons are themed around their respective regions and provide some of the best puzzles and boss fights in the series. Each one feels distinct, challenging, and integral to the story.

Combat and Customization
Combat retains its satisfying mix of strategy and reflexes, but the Fuse ability adds an entirely new dimension. Creating custom weapons and experimenting with combinations ensures combat never grows stale. The variety of enemies has also been expanded, with new foes like the terrifying Gleeoks and underground horrors keeping players on their toes.

Exploration: A World That Rewards Curiosity

Hyrule is as much a character in Tears of the Kingdom as Link or Zelda. The world has been meaningfully altered since Breath of the Wild, with new settlements, environmental changes, and dynamic events. Exploration feels rewarding at every turn, with secrets, treasures, and lore hidden in every corner.

The game’s sense of discovery is unmatched. Whether you’re solving Korok puzzles, helping rebuild settlements, or uncovering ancient Zonai ruins, every moment feels like an adventure. The removal of overt hand-holding ensures players are constantly engaged in charting their own path.

Graphics and Performance: A Technical Marvel

Despite running on the aging Nintendo Switch hardware, Tears of the Kingdom is a visual triumph. The art direction shines, with vibrant colors, stunning vistas, and a seamless blend of the fantastical and the grounded. The sky regions, in particular, are breathtaking, with floating islands illuminated by the soft glow of sunlight or moonlight.

Performance is surprisingly smooth, with minimal frame drops despite the complexity of the world. The game maintains a consistent level of polish, even in chaotic combat or massive open areas.

Sound Design and Music: A Masterpiece of Atmosphere

The sound design is impeccable, from the rustle of leaves in a breeze to the clinking of makeshift machinery crafted with Ultrahand. Every action, from swinging a weapon to gliding through the air, is accompanied by satisfying auditory feedback.

The music is nothing short of masterful. The soundtrack blends familiar Zelda motifs with new compositions that evoke wonder, tension, and triumph. Dynamic scoring ensures the music shifts to reflect the mood, whether exploring serene landscapes or battling ferocious enemies. Highlights include the epic battle themes and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of the sky regions.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Revolutionary new mechanics that encourage creativity.
Vast, layered world with unparalleled freedom and discovery.
Deep and emotionally resonant story with rich lore.
Incredible art direction and immersive sound design.
Meaningful improvements to combat, exploration, and puzzles.
Dungeons that feel unique and engaging.

Cons:

Occasional UI clunkiness, particularly with managing materials.
Some players may find the reuse of parts of Breath of the Wild’s map too familiar.
Limited hardware of the Nintendo Switch occasionally hampers performance.

Source:

https://zelda.nintendo.com/tears-of-the-kingdom/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓

What is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?

Tears of the Kingdom is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo. It serves as the sequel to Breath of the Wild, expanding on the open-world exploration and adventure set in the kingdom of Hyrule.

On which platform is Tears of the Kingdom available?

The game is exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch.

What new features are introduced in Tears of the Kingdom?

The game introduces new gameplay mechanics such as sky exploration, crafting abilities, and advanced building tools, allowing players to manipulate objects and create structures in creative ways.

Do I need to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom?

While playing Breath of the Wild is not required, it helps provide context for the story and mechanics, as Tears of the Kingdom continues many elements from its predecessor.

Does Tears of the Kingdom have DLC or expansion content?

As of now, there are no official announcements regarding downloadable content or expansions, but Nintendo may release updates or additional content in the future.

Verdict

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom isn’t just a sequel; it’s a reimagining of what a Zelda game—and an open-world game—can be. It takes the groundbreaking foundation of Breath of the Wild and builds upon it with astonishing creativity and depth. The result is a game that feels fresh, bold, and utterly magical.

Whether you’re solving intricate puzzles in the sky, battling ferocious enemies in the depths, or simply wandering the fields of Hyrule, Tears of the Kingdom offers an experience that will be remembered for generations. It’s a game that inspires awe, rewards curiosity, and invites players to lose themselves in its world.

For fans of Zelda, open-world adventures, or gaming in general, Tears of the Kingdom is nothing short of essential.

Final Score: 10/10

– DGP Corner

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review: A Sublime Evolution of a Masterpiece