We reviewed Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

davton
Thursday, March 2, 2017 | 12:00 PM
43 comments

GSY Review Switch Wii U

The least you can say is that we've had to be very patient to finally play The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. The game was originally announced on Wii U before it was also made official that it would be released on Switch too. When we received our early copy of the game, we were both excited and fearful to discover this new adventure. We were indeed worried about the game's weaknesses after several delays and such a long development time, wondering if Nintendo still could amaze us as in the past. Inside, you'll find the answer to that question, with the translation of our verdict and the +/- section. As usual, for the full review, you'll have to head over to the French side. Be warned that some of the videos accompanying the article can be considered spoilery, so if all you want to see is the beginning of the game, join us tonight for a new livestream at 9:30 CET. It will only last 30 minutes, so be on time if you're interested.

Verdict

True, Link's new adventure is not perfect when it comes to the purely technical aspect of the game, which might deter the graphics whores among you. It is also impossible to claim The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a perfect game in every other department. That being said, we haven't been this enthusiastic about a Nintendo title, or even a video game in general, for a long time. The Japanese firm has often been blamed for playing it safe, for not being able to push its franchises further. Breath Of The Wild is the perfect example proving that Nintendo can make us dream. They have managed to build a very well-crafted open world, with gameplay mechanics that are perfectly implemented to make the experience even more immersive. The world of this new Zelda is so magical that there are actually no words we can find to describe what we have been through. We won't beat about the bush, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a piece of art, the kind of title that will leave its mark in the industry and, more importantly, in our hearts. We are going to need a little time to take a step back and think about our experience to find out if this game will reach the first place in our our all-time favorites ranking, but what is certain is that it's reminded us why we have loved video games for several decades. Breath Of The Wild was undoubtedly an epic adventure, but the best part is we still have tons of things to see after completing the main quest, and we can't wait to continue playing.

On the plus side
The coherent and extraordinary open world
The size of the map
Much variety in the different areas
The shrines and the puzzles that come with them
Engaging story
So many things to do and to deal wtih
Never boring
Finally some challenge in a Zelda game

On the downside
Technically disappointing - which was to be expected
The sort of white filter on the image
Having to wait - a long time - for the next episode

High quality stream and download

Commented on 2017-03-02 13:05:20

I really want to play this but buying a switch for 1 amazing game is hard for me, and the technical downsides doesn't make buying one easier as i care a lot about good IQ in games. If switch was more powerful i think i would definitely buy it because this game does look like something special and be probably goty unless rdr2 blows are minds.

In reply to

catfish

Commented on 2017-03-02 13:06:27

...this makes me very excited...I think I will have to pick up a Switch...Thanks for this!

Commented on 2017-03-02 13:14:10

98 metacritic is just insanity! 96 was the highest, games had reached in recent years

Commented on 2017-03-02 13:24:13

I ve never played a Zelda game, is this a good entry point? The characters, world etc look charming so without knowing any lore-story i think i would probably enjoy it

Tiz

Commented on 2017-03-02 13:52:19 In reply to AndreasZ94

Posted by AndreasZ94

There isn't a continuous story to Zelda, but the story always revolves around the Triforce and the owners of the pieces.

Commented on 2017-03-02 13:56:15 In reply to Tiz

My assumption was that saving Zelda was a main story thread in every game as well? I s that correct?

Kostchtchie

Commented on 2017-03-02 14:16:18

Getting real sick and tired these free passes in gaming industry, any other game would be slammed if there game look crap or like betheda was a buggy mess but these companies again and again get gold stars and max marks its a joke, 10/10s pfft.. no game should ever be 10

Commented on 2017-03-02 14:30:04 In reply to AndreasZ94

Yes and no.

Put plainly, Zelda requires Link's help so she can stunt in the end.

Or in demolition terms: Link clears the building and Zelda pushes the detonator.

Commented on 2017-03-02 14:38:15 In reply to Kostchtchie

I would probably never give a game a 10 because im very technical and nothing is perfect but i have no issue with people giving amazing games 10s. Im sure most of the reviewers would tell you its not perfect but the experience was a 10 for me

Commented on 2017-03-02 14:46:29 In reply to Tiz

Ok, so its a sort of you save Zelda so she can save the world or defeat evil kinda thing. I know there is a multiple timelines element as well so it sounds interesting. I hope this game has an interesting story to go along with everything else which looks amazing

KORNdog

Commented on 2017-03-02 14:53:18 In reply to AndreasZ94

yippee123

Commented on 2017-03-02 15:32:56

This game will not be the reason for me to buy NS
Buy I will definitely buy this game if I have NS

Commented on 2017-03-02 15:36:47 In reply to KORNdog

Yeah i agree to some extend but reviews are about the time of launch and also video game technology evolves so fast that makes recognizing truly 10/10 games very hard

Commented on 2017-03-02 16:55:03

Do not get me wrong like i am some hater, the game from what i have heard is brilliant, and cannot wait for my copy, but at least try to hold all companies and games to the same standard or we should not take metaric system seriously, i also agree to what lot people here said about hype for games launch, in the end everyone us gamers play what we like, just wish there was mores stability in scores than hype and plain red tinted glasses, anyway enjoy everyone else that is buying this like me, peace and love to all gamers

Archer5

Commented on 2017-03-02 17:03:11

This is so last century)

Commented on 2017-03-02 17:50:36

I like the visual style more than I expected to.

Adropacrich2

Commented on 2017-03-02 18:07:28

this is very encouraging. I used to be the biggest Zelda fan up until I realised they were getting far easier in lots of ways. Always good games of course but still disappointing. Majoras's Mask was the last Zelda game I truly enjoyed but this is sounding like the next big thing

radsy

Commented on 2017-03-02 18:30:26

This message is in "Boulet Time" (TM), If you still *really* want to see it, click here

i totally agree about no game getting a 10/10 .
a 10/10 means there is no way that it can be improved on .
after watching videos , seriously ?
no room for improvement , seriously ?
animations to me are horrendous and a big turn off , the glider , bombs item just appear out of thin air .
picking up items looks so generic , he doesnt even bend down .
the enemies are so rediculously silly , its embarassing to play unless you are 12 years old
i think people are rating this as it is just to sell the switch

Commented on 2017-03-02 18:39:03

I didn't think that salt could reach this quiet part of the gaming net.

Sheesh.

Driftwood

Commented on 2017-03-02 18:44:29 In reply to radsy

Posted by radsy

its embarassing to play unless you are 12 years old
i think people are rating this as it is just to sell the switch

That is the most ridiculous comment I've read so far.

Commented on 2017-03-02 19:18:06 In reply to radsy

10/10 doesn't mean the same thing for every one. Also don't let the cartoony style of the game fool you, this is a much more hardcore game than most AAA games out there.

KainXVIII

Commented on 2017-03-02 19:37:03

No dungeons videos? Or there is no dungeons at all?

nostradamus

Commented on 2017-03-02 21:52:50

ZELDAGOTG > Horizon: 0/0.

/thread

commence the videos.

MrWhite

Commented on 2017-03-02 21:55:33 In reply to radsy

Posted by Kostchtchie

For fuck sake, dry your bulbs. Every major reviewing outlet is praising this game to the tits, yet here you are gurning about it because why? It doesn't have some pretty shaders you wanted? Catch a grip.

Then there's this load of bollox.

Seriously, fellas, if you can't even see how this game is getting its praise just by looking at it and going off of the pedigree of the series, I think its time to find a new hobby...or just go and play vast, empty, uninspired copy and paste open world vapid shite like the latest turd Ubisoft just pumped out.

Come tomorrow, I'll be having a blast, but keep crying your lamps out anyway.

[quote=Kostchtchie]Getting  real sick and tired these free passes in gaming industry, any other game would be slammed if there game look crap or like betheda was a buggy mess but these companies again and again get gold stars and max marks its a joke, 10/10s pfft.. no game should ever be 10[/quote]
For fuck sake, dry your bulbs. Every major reviewing outlet is praising this game to the tits, yet here you are gurning about it because why? It doesn't have some pretty shaders you wanted? Catch a grip. [quote=radsy]i totally agree about no game getting a 10/10 .
a 10/10 means there is no way that it can be improved on .
after watching videos , seriously ?
no room for improvement , seriously ?
animations to me are horrendous and a big turn off , the glider , bombs item just appear out of thin air .
picking up items looks so generic , he doesnt even bend down .
the enemies are so rediculously silly , its embarassing to play unless you are 12 years old 
i think people are rating this as it is just  to sell the switch[/quote]
Then there's this load of bollox.

Seriously, fellas, if you can't even see how this game is getting its praise just by looking at it and going off of the pedigree of the series, I think its time to find a new hobby...or just go and play vast, empty, uninspired copy and paste open world vapid shite like the latest turd Ubisoft just pumped out.

Come tomorrow, I'll be having a blast, but keep crying your lamps out anyway.

Commented on 2017-03-02 22:02:16 In reply to KORNdog

Posted by KORNdog

I agree with what you're saying. Probably not TLoU, but that's just me. Ocarina of Time: it still stands up today. It's still a great game. By that logic, the game is a 10, because its lasted. From multiple accounts, it would appear that BoTW has surpassed it as a Zelda title. I'm not an advocate of giving out perfect scores either, but when a game gets this many, it can't be ignored. I just can't fathom why people just don't accept that a game is brilliant. I'm aware of the contradiction in that I've yet to play the thing, but I know from experience, and its not exactly as if the dev that makes it has some kind of bad rep.

[quote=KORNdog]

i actually think 10's are only something you can give a game in hindsight. a 10 to me is a game like half life 2 or MGS or last of us. games where even after the hype fades, after years pass, after the dust settles, you can play them and they still make the competition seem weak. THAT is a 10/10. a 10/10 for a game at launch is just hype. because for a game to be "perfect" i think it needs to be perfect in 20 years time too, not just for that month of the year it was released.[/quote]I agree with what you're saying. Probably not TLoU, but that's just me. Ocarina of Time: it still stands up today. It's still a great game. By that logic, the game is a 10, because its lasted. From multiple accounts, it would appear that BoTW has surpassed it as a Zelda title. I'm not an advocate of giving out perfect scores either, but when a game gets this many, it can't be ignored. I just can't fathom why people just don't accept that a game is brilliant. I'm aware of the contradiction in that I've yet to play the thing, but I know from experience, and its not exactly as if the dev that makes it has some kind of bad rep.

We reviewed Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Verdict

Switch - Combats

Switch - Horse Riding

Switch - Flying

Switch - Villages

Switch - Shrine 1

Switch - Shrine 2

Switch - SPOILER - Boss

Switch - SPOILER - Story

All comments (43)

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