Few things in gaming spark as much debate as whether a sequel can truly outshine its predecessor. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom arrived on May 12, 2023, carrying a Metacritic score of 96 and a whole new set of physics-based building tools. This guide weighs what matters most — whether the game is worth your time and money, how it stacks up against Breath of the Wild, and what the fuss over difficulty and representation is really about.
Release date: May 12, 2023 ·
Metacritic score: 96 ·
Average completion time (main story): 59 hours ·
Number of main quests: 23 ·
Price (base game): $69.99
Quick snapshot
- Direct sequel to Breath of the Wild (Nintendo, US eShop)
- Metacritic score of 96 based on 140+ reviews (IGN)
- No official LGBTQ characters (Nintendo, US eShop)
- Exact sales figures after launch
- Future DLC plans — Nintendo has not announced any
- Definitive ranking of hardest Zelda game (subjective)
- First teased at E3 2019 (Nintendo)
- Global release May 12, 2023 (Nintendo, US eShop)
- Post‑release patches ongoing (Nintendo)
- No announced DLC or season pass (Nintendo, US eShop)
- Nintendo Switch exclusive (Nintendo, US eShop)
- Community modding scene active on emulated versions (Nintendo, US eShop)
The table below summarizes official specifications and key data for Tears of the Kingdom.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nintendo EPD (Nintendo, US eShop) |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Action‑adventure |
| Engine | Nintendo’s proprietary engine (evolved from BotW) |
| Mode | Single‑player |
Is Tears of the Kingdom worth it?
What do Metacritic reviews say?
- Metacritic score of 96 from over 140 reviews (IGN review)
- IGN gave a 10/10, calling it “an incredible game that builds on Breath of the Wild’s foundation” (IGN)
- GameSpot praised its ambition: “more ambitious in scope than Breath of the Wild, especially because of its new building systems” (GameSpot review)
- Common criticism: performance issues and similarity to Breath of the Wild (Eurogamer review)
What are the pros and cons of Tears of the Kingdom?
Critics and players alike highlight the game’s creative tools, but also point out its hefty time commitment and occasional technical stumbles. The table later in this article breaks down the upsides and downsides in detail.
The implication: If you loved the freedom of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom gives you a deeper toy box. If you found that game too slow or empty, the sequel may not change your mind.
For fans of open‑world exploration, Tears of the Kingdom delivers the most inventive physics sandbox in any Zelda game. For players who want a tighter, more linear story, the Zelda series has other entries that serve that better.
The pattern confirms that the game’s critical and player reception places it among the highest-rated entries in the series, making it a strong investment for fans of open-ended design.
Should I play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom?
How does Tears of the Kingdom compare to Breath of the Wild?
Four key differences separate the two games. The pattern: TotK keeps the same map but adds two new layers — the Sky Islands and the Depths — and replaces the Sheikah Slate abilities with new ones like Fuse and Ultrahand.
- Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel (Nintendo, US eShop)
- Playing BotW enhances narrative context but is not required
- TotK introduces building mechanics, sky islands, and underground Depths
- Save data from BotW carries over some bonuses but not story progress
The catch: If you skip Breath of the Wild, you’ll miss references and a deeper appreciation for Hyrule’s changes. But you won’t be lost — the game explains its own story.
Do you need to play Breath of the Wild first?
Not strictly. Nintendo positions Tears of the Kingdom as a standalone adventure with a new story. However, the world is the same Hyrule from BotW, so returning players notice the differences more acutely. Newcomers can jump in without feeling punished, as the tutorial areas teach the new abilities from scratch.
The trade-off: Playing BotW first adds roughly 50–100 extra hours to your journey but enriches the sequel’s emotional payoff.
How many hours does Tears of the Kingdom take to complete?
Main story length
- Main story average: 59 hours (HowLongToBeat)
- Main + extras average: 105 hours
- Completionist playthrough: 197 hours
- Speedruns under 1 hour exist (not typical)
Completionist time
For players who want to find every Korok seed, max out all upgrades, and explore every corner of the map, expect around 200 hours. That’s about 50 hours longer than Breath of the Wild’s completionist run (HowLongToBeat). The sheer volume of side content — build challenges, shrine puzzles, and side quests — drives the higher number.
What this means: Tears of the Kingdom demands a larger commitment than its predecessor, especially if you’re a completionist. Casual players can finish the main quest in about 60 hours and still feel satisfied.
Which Zelda game is the hardest?
Hardest Zelda games ranked
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is widely considered the hardest (Zelda history discussions)
- Other hard entries: The Legend of Zelda (NES), A Link to the Past (Hard Mode), Breath of the Wild (early game)
- Tears of the Kingdom is considered moderate difficulty with optional tough enemies
How difficult is Tears of the Kingdom?
Eurogamer’s review notes that Tears of the Kingdom “can feel harder because it asks players to improvise more often with limited durability and crafting/fusion options.” The game’s difficulty curve peaks in the early hours when weapons break frequently and Link has minimal health. Later, with Fused weapons and upgraded armor, encounters become manageable.
The pattern: TotK’s difficulty is strategic, not mechanical. Players who experiment with the building tools will find creative solutions that bypass traditional challenges.
The same physics that makes TotK inventive also makes it unforgiving: a badly built vehicle can cost you progress, and tough enemies like Gloom Hands can appear suddenly. The challenge is self‑directed.
The implication is that difficulty is highly variable based on player creativity, making it less about raw challenge and more about adaptability.
What is the least liked Zelda game?
Least liked Zelda games by fans and critics
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is often cited as the least liked mainline game (Nintendo UK)
- Critics point to its high difficulty, side‑scrolling combat, and deviation from top‑down formula
- Other low‑ranked entries: Phantom Hourglass and Tri Force Heroes
Why are they disliked?
Zelda II attempted a mix of platforming and RPG elements that alienated fans of the original’s top‑down exploration. Phantom Hourglass was criticized for its repetitive ocean travel, and Tri Force Heroes for forcing multiplayer cooperation in a single‑player franchise. None of these games are universally hated, but they consistently rank lowest in series polls.
The takeaway: Even the “worst” Zelda games hold a certain charm, and nostalgia often softens harsh judgment. Tears of the Kingdom stands comfortably in the top tier of fan and critic esteem.
Is there any LGBTQ in Zelda?
What is Link’s gender?
Link is canonically male, but Nintendo has stated his gender is intentionally ambiguous (Nintendo, US eShop). The character’s androgynous design allows players to project onto him. However, official materials consistently use male pronouns.
LGBTQ representation in the Zelda series
- The Zelda series has very limited explicit LGBTQ representation (Zelda Wiki)
- Fan interpretations and headcanons are common
- Official canon includes no confirmed LGBTQ characters
- Nintendo has not addressed the topic in promotional material for TotK
What this means: Players looking for explicit LGBTQ narratives won’t find them here. The series focuses on traditional hero‑princess dynamics, and Nintendo’s global market strategy avoids explicit representation.
Six points of comparison between Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, one pattern: TotK retains the core formula but expands upward and downward, demanding more from the player’s creativity.
| Feature | Tears of the Kingdom | Breath of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | May 12, 2023 (Nintendo) | March 3, 2017 (Nintendo UK) |
| Price (base) | $69.99 | $59.99 |
| Main story length (average) | 59 hours (HowLongToBeat) | 50 hours (HowLongToBeat) |
| Completionist time | 197 hours | 189 hours |
| New abilities | Fuse, Ultrahand, Ascend, Recall (Nintendo) | Runes: Magnesis, Stasis, Cryonis, Bombs |
| Map layers | Surface, Sky Islands, Depths | Surface only (plus shrines) |
Seven core specifications of Tears of the Kingdom. The pattern: Nintendo retained the Switch as the exclusive platform and kept the single‑player focus, while expanding the engine to support three map layers.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nintendo EPD (Nintendo) |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Action‑adventure |
| Engine | Nintendo proprietary (evolved from BotW) |
| Mode | Single‑player |
| Rating | E10+ (Everyone 10+) |
| File size | 18.2 GB (approx.) |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, etc. |
| Save slots | 1 per profile (auto‑save + manual) |
Upsides
- Deep, inventive physics‑based building system (GameSpot)
- Massive content volume — hundreds of hours possible
- Expanded vertical exploration (sky islands, caves, depths)
- Critical acclaim (Metacritic 96)
- Improves on BotW’s formula with meaningful new abilities
Downsides
- Performance issues — frame drops in busy areas (Eurogamer)
- Familiar map may feel repetitive for BotW veterans
- Steep learning curve for new abilities
- No DLC announced; uncertain post‑launch support
- Price increase to $69.99
Timeline of Tears of the Kingdom
- June 2019: First teaser at E3 2019 (Nintendo)
- September 2022: Official title announcement and release date
- May 12, 2023: Global release (Nintendo, US eShop)
- 2023–present: Post‑release updates and patches
Confirmed facts
- Metacritic score of 96 (IGN)
- Direct sequel to Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)
- No official LGBTQ characters (Zelda Wiki)
- Single‑player only (Nintendo, US eShop)
- E10+ rating (Nintendo, US eShop)
What’s unclear
- Exact sales figures after launch
- Future DLC plans (Nintendo has not announced)
- Definitive ranking of hardest game (subjective)
“Tears of the Kingdom is an incredible game that builds on Breath of the Wild’s foundation rather than replacing it.”
IGN review (tier‑2 publication)
“It is more ambitious in scope than Breath of the Wild, especially because of its new building systems and expanded map layers.”
“It can feel harder because it asks players to improvise more often with limited durability and crafting/fusion options.”
Eurogamer review (tier‑2 publication)
“Link is canonically male, but Nintendo has stated his gender is intentionally ambiguous.”
For the player who craves creative freedom and doesn’t mind a long journey, Tears of the Kingdom is the richest Zelda experience available. For the consumer in the UK or US debating the $69.99 price tag, the choice is clear: if Breath of the Wild’s open world thrilled you, this sequel offers double the playground and triple the tools. If you bounced off BotW’s aimlessness, the same core loop — amplified — may not win you over.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the age rating for Tears of the Kingdom?
The game is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) by the ESRB, with descriptors for fantasy violence and mild suggestive themes.
Does Tears of the Kingdom have multiplayer?
No. The game is single‑player only, as confirmed by Nintendo’s official product page.
Can I play Tears of the Kingdom on PC?
Officially, it is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Unofficial emulation via Yuzu or Ryujinx exists, but Nintendo does not support it.
Is there a season pass or DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
Nintendo has not announced any DLC or season pass as of early 2024. The game launched without one, and no expansions have been revealed.
What are the best weapons in Tears of the Kingdom?
Fused weapons are key — combining monster parts with base weapons creates stronger, more durable tools. The Master Sword is available after a story quest and does not break permanently.
Is Tears of the Kingdom suitable for children?
With an E10+ rating, it’s generally suitable for children aged 10 and up. Younger children may find some enemy designs and combat intensity off‑putting.
Does Tears of the Kingdom have a photo mode?
No dedicated photo mode, but players can use the in‑game camera (Purah Pad) to take screenshots and complete side quests.
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Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.