Zelda Tears of the Kingdom – Complete Guide and Review

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom arrived on May 12, 2023, as the direct sequel to the critically acclaimed Breath of the Wild. Developed and published by Nintendo for the Switch, the game sends Link on a new mission to explore a Hyrule that has been transformed by mysterious upheavals. It builds on the foundation of its predecessor while introducing fresh mechanics and a vastly expanded world.

Players immediately wondered whether the sequel could live up to the legacy of Breath of the Wild. The answer, according to both critics and players, has been a resounding yes. With a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100, Tears of the Kingdom is one of the highest-rated games of 2023. This article covers everything from the release date and price to gameplay, map changes, review scores, timeline placement, and more.

When was Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom released and how much does it cost?

• Tears of the Kingdom is one of the highest-rated games of 2023 with a Metacritic score of 96.
• The game introduces new abilities like Recall, Fuse, and Ultrahand, expanding gameplay creativity.
• Map size is roughly the same as Breath of the Wild but adds verticality with Sky Islands and Depths.
• Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild and fits in the “Era of the Wild” branch of the Zelda timeline.

The standard edition of Tears of the Kingdom retails for $69.99 USD. The game is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, meaning it is not available on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC. While some users have emulated the game on PC using tools like Yuzu or Ryujinx, this is not an officially supported method.

What is the gameplay like in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?

What is the map of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?

The world of Tears of the Kingdom is structured across three distinct layers: the Surface, the Sky Islands above, and the Depths below. According to the official strategy guide from Piggyback, the map is effectively tripled compared to Breath of the Wild. The guide includes a three-layer world atlas that covers the Surface, Sky, and Depths, with detailed corner-by-corner breakdowns.

What are the new abilities in Tears of the Kingdom?

Tears of the Kingdom introduces four major abilities that replace the Sheikah Slate runes from Breath of the Wild. Recall allows Link to reverse the movement of objects. Fuse lets him combine weapons, shields, and arrows with materials to create new tools. Ultrahand enables the construction of vehicles, bridges, and other structures by attaching objects together. Ascend allows Link to swim upward through solid ceilings to reach higher ground.

How long does it take to beat Tears of the Kingdom?

Completing the main story typically takes between 50 and 70 hours. Players aiming for 100% completion, including all shrines, side quests, and upgrades, can expect to invest over 150 hours.

Is Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom worth it? (Review and Comparisons)

What is the review score on Metacritic?

The game holds a Metacritic average of 96 out of 100, placing it among the highest-rated titles on the platform. Critic reviews consistently praise its depth, creativity, and the way it expands on Breath of the Wild. Users on the Metacritic page have also contributed positive ratings, reflecting strong reception from the player community.

How does Tears of the Kingdom compare to Breath of the Wild?

According to the Metacritic editorial description, “Tears of the Kingdom is a remarkable sequel. Not only does it improve on every single aspect of Breath of the Wild, but it expands the characters, locations, and mechanics in ways that feel both familiar and delightful.” The map has tripled in effective size due to the addition of the Sky and Depths layers. The new abilities offer far greater creative freedom, particularly Ultrahand, which has spawned countless player-built contraptions shared online.

Where does Tears of the Kingdom fit in the Zelda timeline?

Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. Both games occupy a branch of the official Zelda timeline sometimes referred to as the “Era of the Wild.” This places them after the events of the original Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link, but the exact placement has been a subject of discussion among fans. Nintendo has not published an update to the official timeline chart that definitively positions the era, but the connection between the two games is clearly established through story and setting.

The story of Tears of the Kingdom follows Link and Zelda as they investigate a mummified corpse beneath Hyrule Castle, which awakens and causes widespread destruction. The narrative explores the origins of Hyrule and the ancient Zonai civilization. Players progress through regional quests that involve the Sages: Sage of Fire, Sage of Water, Sage of Lightning, and ultimately the Master Sword and Finale chapters.

Timeline of key events: From announcement to release

1. June 11, 2019 – Sequel to Breath of the Wild announced at E3.
2. March 29, 2022 – Release date delayed from 2022 to May 12, 2023.
3. February 8, 2023 – Nintendo Direct gameplay reveal and amiibo announced.
4. May 12, 2023 – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom officially released.
5. 2024 – No official DLC announced as of early 2025.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Tears of the Kingdom?

Critical reception, sales, and cultural impact

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom received near-universal acclaim from critics and players alike. Reviewers highlighted the game’s ability to build on an already strong foundation while introducing genuinely new ideas. Sales figures reflect this success, with over 20 million units sold globally within the first year of release.

The game also had a significant cultural impact. The Ultrahand ability, which allows players to build vehicles, robots, and creative machines, generated a wave of memes, speedrunning techniques, and community showcases on platforms like Reddit and YouTube. Speedrunners quickly developed techniques to bypass large sections of the map, while casual players shared elaborate builds ranging from simple bridges to functioning mechs.

Sources and what critics say

“Tears of the Kingdom is a remarkable sequel. Not only does it improve on every single aspect of Breath of the Wild, but it expands the characters, locations, and mechanics in ways that feel both familiar and delightful.”

– Metacritic editorial description

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule.”

– Nintendo official description

Additional information can be found on the Nintendo Official Game Page and the Wikipedia Article. The Zelda Wiki (Fandom) offers extensive lore and walkthrough details. The official trailer is available on Nintendo’s YouTube channel.

Summary: What to take away from this guide

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom successfully builds on Breath of the Wild with new abilities, a three-layer world, and a compelling story. It is a Nintendo Switch exclusive, priced at $69.99, and received a Metacritic score of 96. The game offers around 50–70 hours of main story content and has sold over 20 million copies. For comparison, you can read about the Jurassic World Evolution 3 – Platforms Prices Editions and Features or explore Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Return to Hogwarts – Full Cast.

Frequently asked questions