Breath of the Wild is NOT 10/10

Inflated, biased reviews will tell you otherwise, but Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is NOT a perfect game.

-consistent frame rate dips, especially with multiple enemies on screen

-clumsy, cumbersome menus compared to older games

-tedious resource gathering and collectibles that clutter up your menu

-areas that are detrimental to your health because of weather conditions (resolved by a torch or cooking peppers, still an annoyance rather than a unique feature)

-the open world design is really cool but accidentally running into random enemies that can kill you instantly in one hit gets old. fast. a lot of the times theres no warning until its too late. also whats up with no roll ability? thats a Zelda staple. They put in a jump after 30 years but take out the roll? What?

-weapons with no durability. biggest offender. one of the most satisfying elements of Zelda, for me at least, has always been finding and collecting the unique items and weapons. Solving a puzzle, dungeon or task and being rewarded with an item. The Biggorns sword quest, the Skulltula quest, the Lens of Truth in the well, the Megaton Hammer in the Fire Temple or the Bow in the Forest Temple (yes most of my examples come from OoT, but thats where it all started with the 3D mechanics and is my favorite of the 3D Zeldas)...just picking up random items gives no sense of accomplishment, it makes the game feel like a cheap RPG Fable type knock off.

We all want change in series but I strongly feel removing these elements was a horrible decision. Now Zelda feels like every other crafting or resource game versus what it was before. The fact that you have to switch between multiple weapons in a fight more than half of the time because of durability is an annoyance too. Gameplay is not smooth or engaging when youre constantly having to pause to swap weapons and items.

I am not that far into the game, just a couple of hours (maybe 4 or 5). But still if this is the repetition, the rinse and repeat cycle, I dont see how its gonna get much better....or certainly deserving of unanimous 10/10 praises across the board.

You've decided have you?

Take note everybody. This guy has decided it's not so great after all.

of course its not. its same nintendo rehash since 80s. but its zelda game. its gonna rated perfect and LOL at 98% on metacritic. best games on earth struggle to get 90.

Are you taking with pen or pencil?

A crayon!

its definitely not rehash. it feels and plays like no other zelda game. its very unique in that respect. like instead of having happy, upbeat music in every corner of the game, theres a lot of silence and ambiant noise, plus certain musical queues at specific times (think of old school Tomb Raider)

i just dont like a lot of the changes theyve implemented...i could probably deal with everything but the run-of-the-mill weapons and their durability.

ah, that would explain your 3rd grade response.

It's also freezing on the Switch and the Wii U

It's definitely a 10/10. Easily a top 5 game of all time, it's pure magic regardless of some minor flaws.

Agreed. Game is a major disappointment.

I am playing on the Wii U version and have not had any freezing or glitching. All I have noticed is the framerate dips.

How far are you? Im hoping it gets better. I just met with Impa to start the four tribes quest.

Cool opinion?

I've heard the frame rate issues are actually worse when playing in the dock due to the slightly higher resolution. Does anyone know if there is a way to make it output at 720p through the dock to prevent the frame rate from suffering?

thats what a review is, yes? Saying something is good or bad. I gave multiple points, if you guys disagree why arent you countering them?

Please say you are just trolling and not serious... please?

I think you can force 720p via the display settings on the Switch.

I agree with the topic title.

Should've been a 11/10.

The environment and open world is the best part of the game because it leads to the exploring and survival aspects of the game. All of which is Fabulous. You get abilities from the dungeons/shrines in the game, same thing as the weapons and other items from the previous games. The weapon durability isn't that bad when you get further in the game, I have a few that survive multiple encounters and I'm just a little further then you are in the game.

It's highly arguable whether any game is worth a 10/10 score. It's a product of having a scoring system restricted to a score out of ten, rather than having a decimal place or a 1 - 100 scale (much the same thing really). It's far too simplistic and results in good games receiving perfect scores when a perfect score should mean a perfect game, with no flaws or bugs.

It was a far better system when games were scored on different aspects and then a combined average would give a final score.

There hasn't been a game that's scored a 10 on GS that hasn't had it's flaws and that goes for UC4 as well. Just because you don't agree doesn't make it so.

*noted*

so this is perfect piece of art. a masterpiece. deserve 10/10. 100 on metacritic and anyone who say otherwise is trolling or not serious..

come on my friend. this game doesnot have anything that we have not seen in gaming before. we have seen open wold games many times. we have seen link and zelda many times.

the fact is its zelda, its nintendo, rely on nostalgia. it will receive perfect 10. so will new mario game. despite its not even deserve nowhere near.

Your complaint is a rehash.

Okay, I'll do that

You start with this, you start by dismissing others' opinions, then expect people to take yours seriously, and complain when they don't.

The menus are largely well designed, and the quick hotkeying function means you rarely have to pull them open at all.

These are literally central mechanics to the game. Survival is the theme of the game. You are meant to use those collectibles and resources to be able to survive the harsh world. If that is not a feature that appeals to you... I mean, okay? I don't know what I can say to that. There is nothing objectively wrong with the survival mechanics, they are exceptionally well implemented, and they make the open world and resource collection more meaningful

Holy shit, you're crying about difficulty in a game. Okay.

Also, sidestep, backflip, dodge- the lack of roll is a bummer, but it is entirely unnecessary.

Heartily disagree here, and I have discussed this at length before. The weapons are meant to feel dispensible like ammunition, and you are meant to be constantly trying to find new ones- the world makes them plentiful anyway. Again, this ties back into the the survival theme of the world. You have to make do with what you find.

And this brings me to why there is no legitimate proper response to your post- because it is literally all opinion. You take the things the game does, and then you complain that you don't like them- what the hell is someone supposed to say to that? You don't like them, cool? Others do, hence the 10/10 scores and gushing the game has received. Nowhere in your post have you actually raised any objective complaints or reasons for why you feel the game doesn't deserve a 10. You just discuss what the game does, and say that it doesn't. That's not a post that invites discussion. That's a fucking opinion blog, and invites a 'cool opinion bro?' post

hopefully you can some sort of transporation or Epona shows up quickly. As the traversal gets old real quick. Link moves slow across the different objective points you need to be at.

Oh, so you've played the game and know all this first hand?

Yeah I liked that system better.

With the way GS does reviews now it should just be 'thumbs up" or "thumbs down".

You'll get no argument from impartial , real game fans here, I'm certain. :P

The one hit kills can be a bit annoying but then fell like it's my own fault I died. Came across an enemy once that I knew would kick my ass. So I sneaked passed, it s that simple and easily avoidable.

Collectables clutter? Stop collecting..

Personally don't find cooking a chore at all and thought it was a puzzle within itself to work out how to get to certain areas.

Breakable items mean I'm not using the same weapon over and over again. Although I have gone through loads of the same type of sword and shield, it's cool when you get a new weapon and want to save it for a tough fight. Otherwise it's fun to pick up an enemies weapon and use it against them. Feels like more of an adventure having such a variety of equipment that doesn't last long. I have had swords that I probably won't see again too, which is really cool.

Rolling? I haven't missed it too be honest. Im just glad there is no dive out the way feature like horizon.. I mean all 3rd person games

Oh sure, now reviews are biased because Zelda got a 10. You were apologizing for mediocre games like Uncharted and Tomb Raider because hur durr metascore just last year.

By no means it is a perfect game, but most reviews don't use decimals nowadays and the bad things about it are overwhelmed by the good ones, for that reason a "perfect" score is the closest option; there are other factors that intervene but it is an outstanding game nonetheless.

Well that's your opinion and while you may be entitled to it I'm certainly not obligated to agree with it. I'm currently playing it on the Wii U and having a fantastic time with it but I'm still a ways away from finishing it so I have no final judgement on it yet but right now I can see how this game received such high praise. Also 10/10 does not mean a game is "perfect". Never has, never will.

As much as I hate Kotaku, I like their reviews, rather, their format. I never liked numbered or scaled reviews because, let's face it, there is no perfect game. Different strokes for different folks.

But I digress. Performance alone should have knocked down the score because it seems that the framerate is still bad even with the day-1 patch. Most are alleviated, but there are still dips.

I got a Game Over screen. 2/10.

Why bother asking a question you the answer to? lol

Also 10/10 does not mean a perfect game you dumb shits. A review scale where the max score is something that isn't achievable is a pointless scale.

@charizard1605

The menus are largely well designed, and the quick hotkeying function means you rarely have to pull them open at all.

-You're still pausing in mid battle to switch between weapons- sword, club, axe, bow. The hotkeying is nice but still interrupts the flow of battle. If you could have a weapon that could handle 3 enemies in a row without breaking, it wouldnt be as big of a deal.

These are literally central mechanics to the game. Survival is the theme of the game. You are meant to use those collectibles and resources to be able to survive the harsh world. If that is not a feature that appeals to you... I mean, okay? I don't know what I can say to that. There is nothing objectively wrong with the survival mechanics, they are exceptionally well implemented, and they make the open world and resource collection more meaningful

-Why is "survival" a major element to a Zelda game now? It doesnt fit.

Holy shit, you're crying about difficulty in a game. Okay.

Also, sidestep, backflip, dodge- the lack of roll is a bummer, but it is entirely unnecessary.

-Difficulty should be gradual, as your character levels up the enemies naturally get tougher....Accidentally running into a one-hit KO enemy, that is not designed to be defeated so early in the game (game hints even say to run away), is just an annoying and waste of time mechanic

sidestepping, backflipping, dodging is great but doesnt justify the lack of a roll

Heartily disagree here, and I have discussed this at length before. The weapons are meant to feel dispensible like ammunition, and you are meant to be constantly trying to find new ones- the world makes them plentiful anyway. Again, this ties back into the the survival theme of the world. You have to make do with what you find.

-Sure and those things are fine, but how do they fit into a Zelda game? There no attachment or uniqueness to the weapons. Finding the Kokiri Sword then the Master Sword were specific elements to OoT. The weapons were significant and a had reason to exist. So much better than finding generic club #10 or generic spear #12 just lying on the ground. Its not as special or fun.

Don't bother, ten years of arguing this to no avail has taught me that there's no point.

Review scores don't start at 10 and get knocked down for issues point at a time, they are awarded based on a holistic assessment of the game. Jesus Christ.

Threatened gamers are triggered. Triggered gamers are threatened.

Breath or the wild is a masterpiece that sits alongside Skyrim.

These have to be some of the most ignorant posts I've seen in some time.

BotW is a HUGE departure from the usual Zelda formula. Yet Nintendo haters will dismiss ANYTHING that has a Nintendo character in it. Calling BotW a rehash is asinine.

"We have seen link and Zelda many times." We've seen Nathan Drake 5 times in 9 years. Are we knocking Uncharted for this too? Or do we judge each game on its merits?

If games were based on holistic assessment then Uncharted 4 would not have received a 10.

It sounds like you wanted a repeat of other Zelda games, which this never billed itself as.

Survival is a major element because it was a major element in the NES game, and that's the direction they decided to go with with this game.

Difficulty is gradual if you follow the story- the game tells you what to do and where to go. If you do that, you won't die or run into any enemies beyond your level. if you choose to go somewhere you are not supposed to be going, the game doesn't stop you, but you better be prepared. It's identical to Dark Souls.

I find the hoykeying to be quick and elegant. It doesn't interrupt action. Later on you do get weapons that can attack multiple enemies at once, plus you can always utilize the environment for that.

As for attachment to the weapons- there are permanent higher leveled story weapons in this game too, and you will run into them. But for the survival theme that the game has decided to tackle this time around, dispensable weapons are necessary. Again, you can argue that survival has no place in a Zelda game- but what place in a Zelda game did a time limit have? Or a pirate themed sailing adventure? Zelda does new shit with its landmark entries. So did this one. You either like it or you don't- you don't, apparently, which is fine, but that doesn't mean that the others who do are biased, any more than you being biased.

Incidentally, a lot of your complaints will be addressed if you just follow the main story and ignore the side content, i guess.

Which is your opinion, not the reviewer's

@jcrame10: No biggie. I think most people. according to reviews, enjoyed the game a lot and the flaws did not interfere with that enjoyment in any way.

@charizard1605: I mean, yeah, but you get my point. That's why I said I never liked scaled or numbered reviews. Just point out the good, the bads, the flaws, the what-nots, because at the end of the day, scores are just fanboy fodder.

Excellent thread title to attract every single sheep SW has.

That's not a counter-argument to what he said, that's just you willfully ignoring the concept of a review being an opinion.