Key Takeaways
- "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" has received perfect scores from both Famitsu and Edge, making it one of the few games to achieve this rare feat. Famitsu's perfect score of 40/40 is awarded by four reviewers, while Edge's perfect score of 10/10 is equally prestigious.
- This is the fourth Legend of Zelda game to receive dual recognition from both Famitsu and Edge, following "Ocarina of Time," "Skyward Sword," and "Breath of the Wild."
- The game has also received high praise on review aggregator Metacritic, where it holds an impressive 96/100 score, making it the best-reviewed game of 2023. However, Gfinity's lower score of 6/10 by Josh Brown provides a contrasting opinion.
- While the overwhelming majority of reviews have been positive, the existence of dissenting voices like Gfinity's review adds a more well-rounded perspective and reflects the subjective nature of review scores.
- Despite some minor criticisms, "Tears of the Kingdom" is considered a resounding success, with its blend of familiar elements and new innovations appealing to a broad audience.
- The game's achievement in receiving rare review scores solidifies its place in gaming history and highlights its quality and gameplay.
“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” the latest installment in the critically acclaimed franchise, has established itself as one of the highest-rated games of all time.
The game has received rare perfect scores from both Famitsu, a prominent Japanese gaming magazine, and Edge, a highly regarded UK publication.
This achievement makes “Tears of the Kingdom” the sixth game in three decades to earn both a ‘Famitsu 40’ and an ‘Edge 10’, demonstrating that the title has won accolades in both eastern and western gaming circles.
Securing a 40/40 score in Famitsu requires each of the four reviewers to award the game a perfect 10.
Only 28 games have earned this distinction in the magazine’s 37-year history.
Likewise, an Edge score of 10 is an equally rare achievement with only 24 games receiving this perfect score since the magazine’s launch 30 years ago.
The Legend of Zelda franchise has a strong history of impressing these critics, as “Tears of the Kingdom” is the fourth Zelda title to secure this dual recognition.
Other games to achieve this feat include “Ocarina of Time,” “Skyward Sword,” and “Breath of the Wild.”
Unprecedented Metacritic Score
According to review aggregator Metacritic, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” is the best-reviewed game of 2023, boasting an impressive 96/100 score.
This universal acclaim has not been without a hint of dissent. Gfinity gave the game a lower-than-average score of 6/10, with critic Josh Brown stating that the game does little to differentiate itself from its predecessor, “Breath of the Wild.”
Despite this, numerous other reviewers on Metacritic have expressed glowing praise for the game.
PCMag extolled “Tears of the Kingdom” as a “masterpiece of a sequel” that rightfully belongs among the best Zelda games of all time.
The Legend of Zelda franchise has a strong history of impressing these critics, as “Tears of the Kingdom” is the fourth Zelda title to secure this dual recognition.
A Single Outlier Amid Praises
The overwhelming critical success of “Tears of the Kingdom” has not been without its detractors. One critique by Gfinity’s Josh Brown, which scored the game a 6/10, stands out among a sea of near-perfect scores on Metacritic.
The critique highlights a few aspects of the game that some long-time fans may find lacking, such as the simplification of traditional dungeon formats and the return of weapon durability, which some players find tedious.
Nevertheless, the diversity of reviews, while causing some degree of consternation among fans, provides a more well-rounded perspective on the game.
Review scores are inherently subjective, and even a game that most consider a masterpiece might not appeal to everyone.
It’s crucial to remember that not everyone will share the same preferences, which should be reflected in a game’s collection of reviews.
A Resounding Success
Despite some minor criticisms, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” has undeniably achieved immense critical success.
Its impressive scores across multiple review platforms are a testament to its quality and gameplay.
Furthermore, the title’s blend of familiar elements with new innovations has successfully appealed to a broad audience, ensuring its place in the annals of gaming history.
While not every reviewer may consider it perfect, the consensus is clear: “Tears of the Kingdom” is a gem in the Legend of Zelda franchise, and in the broader landscape of video games.
