Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an action-adventure from Nintendo, released in May 2023 on Nintendo Switch. The sequel to Breath of the Wild, expanding Hyrule vertically with sky islands and depths. The protagonist is Link, who must save the kingdom from Ganondorf.
What is the game about
The sky above Hyrule is torn, and Link falls onto islands in the clouds. There he gains new powers—hands that let him fuse objects, create devices, and pass through solid matter. Returning to the surface, he discovers Ganondorf has returned and threatens the kingdom. Explore sky, surface, and depths to stop the darkness.
Gameplay
- Ultrahand: fuse objects to create weapons, vehicles, and devices.
- Vertical world: explore sky islands, Hyrule's surface, and underground depths.
- Fuse and Ascend: combine items and pass through ceilings.
- Creative freedom: solve puzzles and fight bosses any way you want.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Tears of the Kingdom is one of the greatest games of the decade: a huge world, incredible creative freedom, and puzzles solvable in dozens of ways. If you loved Breath of the Wild—a must. On Switch 2 the game looks even better.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge vertical world | Some FPS drops in complex scenes |
| Creative freedom with Ultrahand | Story sometimes secondary |
| Colorful graphics | Many BOTW-like mechanics |
FAQ
Do I need to play Breath of the Wild? Recommended, but not required.
How many hours? 50–70 hours main story, 100+ for completion.
On other platforms? No, only Nintendo Switch.