Breath of the Wild changed open-world games with its freedom and physics. Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, takes that foundation and adds a set of creative tools that turn the world into a giant playground. It is one of the most impressive games ever made, and an essential experience for Nintendo players.
We spent over 100 hours exploring Hyrule’s skies, surface and depths. Here is our review.
A familiar but changed Hyrule
The game is set in the same Hyrule as Breath of the Wild, but the world has changed dramatically. Islands float in the sky, chasms open into a dark underground world, and towns have evolved. Returning players will recognise places, but discover new caves, quests and secrets everywhere.
New abilities
Link gains new abilities that transform exploration:
- Ultrahand lets you pick up objects and stick them together, building vehicles, bridges and contraptions
- Fuse lets you combine items with weapons, shields and arrows, creating new effects
- Ascend lets you rise through ceilings to reach the surface above
- Recall rewinds the movement of objects
These abilities encourage creativity. There is rarely only one solution to a problem.
Building with Ultrahand
Ultrahand is the star of the game. Using Zonai devices like fans, wheels, rockets and batteries, you can build cars, planes, boats and more. Players have created incredible machines, from walking robots to flying fortresses. Even simple builds, like a raft with fans, feel rewarding.
Fuse and combat
Fuse adds depth to combat. Attaching a monster horn to a sword increases its damage, and fusing a bomb flower to an arrow creates explosive shots. Experimenting with fusions makes every fight feel creative.
Weapon durability returns, which still frustrates some players. However, Fuse makes it easier to create useful weapons from materials you find.
Sky islands and the Depths
The sky islands offer floating puzzles, beautiful views and unique challenges. The Depths are a vast, dark underground world beneath Hyrule, filled with dangerous enemies, valuable resources and mysteries. Lighting your way through the darkness creates a completely different atmosphere from the surface.
Dungeons and bosses
Tears of the Kingdom features themed dungeons with distinct styles, improved from the previous game. Bosses are memorable and often use your new abilities. Companions join you with special abilities that help in exploration and combat.
Story
The story explores Hyrule’s ancient history and the mysterious Zonai. Memories reveal key events, and the ending is emotional and epic. While the story is told in fragments, it is more engaging than Breath of the Wild’s.
Performance
On the original Switch, the game is impressive but can have frame rate drops in busy scenes. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition improves performance and resolution, making it the best way to play if you own the newer console.
Tips for new players
- Experiment with Ultrahand early
- Fuse strong materials to weapons
- Use Ascend to escape caves quickly
- Explore the Depths with plenty of light sources
- Do shrines to increase hearts and stamina
Who is it for?
Tears of the Kingdom is for anyone who enjoys exploration, creativity and adventure. It is ideal for Breath of the Wild fans, but newcomers can also start here.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to play Breath of the Wild first? It helps, but it is not required.
How long is it? The main story takes 50 to 70 hours, with over 150 hours to complete everything.
Is it suitable for kids? Yes, though some puzzles and enemies can be challenging.
Why it is special
Tears of the Kingdom trusts players to be creative. It gives you tools and lets you solve problems however you like. Watching other players’ creative solutions online shows how open the game truly is. Few games offer this level of freedom.
Comparing it to Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild felt like discovering a new world. Tears of the Kingdom feels like learning to reshape that world. Some players prefer the sense of discovery in the first game, while others love the creative depth of the sequel. Both are masterpieces.
Side quests and characters
Side quests in Tears of the Kingdom are more varied and memorable than in Breath of the Wild. Helping towns rebuild, assisting a group of construction workers or finding Koroks to reunite them with friends all offer charming moments. Many quests also teach you new ways to use your abilities, encouraging experimentation.
Exploration rewards
Exploration is rewarded constantly. Caves contain armour and rare materials, wells hide secrets and sky islands offer puzzles and treasure. Even after dozens of hours, we kept discovering new places and surprises. The game respects curiosity like few others.
Accessibility for less experienced players
Despite its depth, Tears of the Kingdom is approachable. Early areas teach mechanics gently, and you can avoid tough enemies until you are stronger. The freedom to explore at your own pace makes it suitable for players who are less confident with action games.
Value
Tears of the Kingdom offers an enormous amount of content for its price. With over 150 hours of potential gameplay, it is one of the best value games on Nintendo platforms. Physical copies are easy to find in Malaysian stores and online marketplaces, and they hold their value well.
Our experience
Our best memory was building a slightly wobbly flying machine to reach a distant sky island, only to crash it halfway and have to improvise a new plan mid-air. Moments like this make every session feel unique.
Physical or digital?
Many Malaysian Switch players prefer physical copies because they can be resold or traded later. Digital copies are convenient for handheld play without swapping cartridges.
Who should skip it?
Players who dislike open-ended games without clear directions may feel lost at first, though the main quests do guide you gently.
Verdict
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an astonishing achievement. Its creative tools, layered world and memorable dungeons make it one of the best games ever made. Minor frustrations like weapon durability and repeated enemies barely affect its brilliance. It is essential for any Nintendo owner.
