Nintendo is set for a fantastic couple of weeks. Based on the initial Tears of the Kingdom review scores, the sequel seems to have met all expectations. Released on May 12th, six years after its predecessor, the game has received top marks from nearly all major gaming sites and reviewers. The praise echoes that which was bestowed upon Breath of the Wild in 2017, and this is fantastic news for all Zelda fans.
Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom carries significant responsibility. After all, it follows in the footsteps of one of the greatest games of all time. Judging by the larger open world, new mechanics, and captivating storyline, it appears to have succeeded.
Related: Is Tears of the Kingdom 70 Dollars?
Tears of the Kingdom Review Scores
At the time of writing this article, Metacritic has compiled a total of 86 reviews. All of these reviews are from registered websites, meaning there are no user scores among them. We expect user scores to become active in the next 1-2 days. Unless we witness a situation similar to The Last of Us Part II – where critics and gamers disagreed sharply – it seems both parties will be in agreement about this game’s excellence.
Here are some review scores for Tears of the Kingdom:
- Gfinity – 60
- Eurogamer – 80
- Digital Trends – 90
- Forbes – 90
- Game Informer – 98
- The Gamer – 100
- Washington Post – 100
- Guardian – 100
- Dexerto – 100
- IGN – 100
- Destructoid – 100
- GameSpot – 100
- Inverse – 100
Although it’s normal for a few sites to give high ratings, the fact that almost all of them have done so speaks volumes about the new Zelda game. When you delve into the content of the reviews, you’ll find that some critics have written very positive remarks. For example, IGN editor Tom Marks gave 100 points and said:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an unfathomable follow-up to one of the greatest games ever made, somehow improving upon it in nearly every way – be that with simple quality-of-life improvements, a genuinely exciting story, or wildly creative new building mechanics that make you rethink what is possible.
Tom Marks – IGN
Why Is Tears of the Kingdom a Good Game?
All the reviewers who provided the scores above are discussing similar themes. The most prominent observation is that Tears of the Kingdom has successfully layered innovative ideas onto the foundation established by the previous game. They discuss the challenge and reward of designing a game that still feels fresh after Breath of the Wild, which in itself felt complete.
Another aspect that stands out in the reviews, making Tears of the Kingdom a strong contender for one of the best games of all time, is the new map. In fact, the map covers almost the same area as Breath of the Wild. However, it feels larger and richer than ever, replete with a variety of different ideas, including flying islands. This is fantastic news for the open-world gameplay that is a fundamental part of the Zelda series.
Of all the reviews, the comment from IGN Italia is particularly noteworthy – especially in the wake of Arkane’s Redfall disaster: “Tears of the Kingdom is what happens when a triple A studio with a triple A budget can take its time to develop a game, focusing on polish and gameplay instead of graphics. The result is so powerful that it puts to shame many contemporary games. This is a masterpiece.“
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tears of the Kingdom Really Perfect?
Technically, no game can ever be perfect. That being said, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an exceptionally well-crafted sequel. It’s commendable to see so much successful innovation layered on top of an already excellent game like Breath of the Wild. The game’s review scores are generally 90 and above, though there are a few outliers like Gfinity that offer lower ratings.
Is Breath of the Wild an Overrated Game?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is considered one of the greatest games of all time. Released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017, it boasts a Metacritic average of 97, a score derived from the evaluations of 109 independent websites. The player score average stands at a very respectable 8.7. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Zelda franchise or a newcomer, Breath of the Wild is certainly not overrated. It’s an outstanding open-world action-adventure game that fully deserves all the praise it has received.
Who Is Developing Tears of the Kingdom?
As with all Zelda games, Tears of the Kingdom is developed by Nintendo’s in-house teams. The entire project is handled directly by first-party teams, rather than being outsourced to a third-party company. This applies to all aspects, including both technical and artistic details. The game’s director is Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and its producer is Eiji Aonuma.
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