The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom – Complete Guide and Review

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom stands as Nintendo’s ambitious 2023 action-adventure sequel to Breath of the Wild. Released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023, the game expands Hyrule into the skies and depths below while introducing revolutionary building mechanics that redefine open-world exploration.

Developed by Nintendo EPD under director Hidemaro Fujibayashi, the title has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, earning a Metacritic score of 96/100. The narrative picks up years after its predecessor, thrusting Link into a fractured kingdom threatened by the resurrection of an ancient evil.

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

Is Tears of the Kingdom a Sequel to Breath of the Wild?

Narrative Continuity

Yes, the game functions as a direct sequel set years after the events of Breath of the Wild. Link and Zelda investigate caverns beneath Hyrule Castle, awakening a mummified Ganondorf who emanates gloom—a poisonous substance threatening the kingdom. Ganondorf shatters the Master Sword, wounds Link’s arm, and sends Zelda into the Depths with a secret stone artifact.

Link awakens on the Great Sky Island with a new magical arm granted by Rauru, the first king of Hyrule. He must recover his strength through shrine completion while investigating the Upheaval, chaotic phenomena altering the landscape.

Gameplay Evolution

While retaining the open-world freedom of its predecessor, the sequel introduces verticality through three distinct map layers. The surface Hyrule returns largely intact but altered by the Upheaval, while sky archipelagos offer aerial exploration and the Depths present a dark, hazardous underground realm.

What Are the New Features and Gameplay Mechanics in Tears of the Kingdom?

Ultrahand and Construction

Ultrahand allows Link to lift, rotate, and fuse objects together, enabling the creation of vehicles, bridges, and siege weapons. Players construct flying machines, boats, and automated combat devices using materials found throughout Hyrule. This mechanic differentiates the experience from How to Crochet for Beginners, offering dynamic, physics-based creativity rather than static pattern work.

The Fuse System

Fuse attaches materials to weapons, shields, and arrows, creating customized gear with unique properties. Attaching rocks to swords increases damage and durability, while elemental items fused to arrows create explosive or freezing projectiles. This system replaces the traditional weapon durability concerns with creative upgrading options.

Recall and Ascend

Recall rewinds an object’s movement through time, essential for solving puzzles involving falling platforms or reversing projectiles. Ascend phases Link upward through solid ceilings, revolutionizing vertical traversal and secret discovery.

The Expanded Map

The world comprises three distinct layers: the familiar surface, sky islands accessible via launch points, and the Depths—a dark underground requiring illumination to navigate. The Depths contain gloom, a hazardous substance that reduces maximum health until cured by returning to the surface or completing shrines.

How Long Does It Take to Beat Tears of the Kingdom?

Main story completion requires approximately 50 to 60 hours for players focusing on the four regional temples and primary narrative beats. This includes the Wind, Water, Fire, and Lightning Temples, each guarded by unique bosses like Colgera and Mucktorok.

Completionist playthroughs demanding all 152 shrines, side quests, Korok seeds, and map exploration extend significantly longer. Most thorough players report 100 to 200-plus hours to achieve full completion, depending on creative building experimentation and exploration depth.

What Are the Review Scores for Tears of the Kingdom?

Critics universally acclaimed the title upon release. The game holds a 96/100 Metacritic score based on aggregated reviews, with outlets praising the unprecedented creative freedom afforded by the new ability set.

Sales figures exceeded 20 million copies by late 2023 and early 2024, establishing it as one of the fastest-selling Nintendo Switch exclusives. Spectrum Magazine highlighted the seamless integration of building mechanics with the existing physics engine.

In 2025, the game maintains its status as an essential Switch exclusive. With no successor announced and the base game providing substantial content without downloadable content, it remains a worthwhile investment for new players.

When Was Tears of the Kingdom Released?

1. 2019

   Nintendo announces the sequel to Breath of the Wild is in active development following the massive success of the 2017 title.

2. June 2021

   First gameplay trailer revealed during Nintendo Direct, showcasing sky islands and Link’s new arm abilities.

3. September 2022 The September 2022 release date was later confirmed, and for those interested in challenging gameplay, Sekiro Shadows Die Twice härtestes Spiel offers a comparison of difficult games.

   Official title revealed as Tears of the Kingdom alongside a second trailer detailing the gloom threat and Ganondorf’s return.

4. May 12, 2023

   Global release for Nintendo Switch across all major markets simultaneously.

5. Late 2023

   Sales surpass 20 million copies worldwide according to Nintendo financial reports.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain?

How Does Tears of the Kingdom Fit Into the Zelda Series?

The game represents an evolutionary leap for the franchise, abandoning traditional linear dungeon progression for emergent sandbox gameplay. While previous Zelda titles offered isolated tool-based progression, Tears of the Kingdom provides four permanent abilities from the opening hours, trusting players to solve complex challenges through physics manipulation rather than prescribed solutions.

The title resolves narrative threads left dangling in Breath of the Wild while establishing new mythological foundations involving the Zonai civilization and the first king Rauru. This approach satisfies longtime series fans seeking deeper lore while maintaining accessibility for newcomers. Players seeking diverse creative outlets might also explore culinary projects like Recette Tartare de Saumon between gaming sessions.

What Do Critics and Developers Say?

“A masterpiece sequel that expands upon every successful element of its predecessor while introducing genuinely revolutionary building mechanics.”

— RPGFan Review

“The physics-based creativity on display represents a new high-water mark for interactive entertainment.”

— God is a Geek

Nintendo has not announced specific post-launch support beyond the initial release, confirming the game ships as a complete experience.

Is Tears of the Kingdom Worth Playing in 2025?

The game remains an essential purchase for Nintendo Switch owners two years post-release. With no downloadable content required to experience the complete narrative and a thriving community still sharing creative constructions online, new players enter an ecosystem of established guides and optimized strategies. For those seeking complex open-world puzzles and unrestricted creative expression, the title offers unmatched value despite the hardware’s aging limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions