Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: Worth It, Playtime & More

There’s something about pulling a glider out of thin air and launching yourself off a floating island that makes you forget you’re just on a couch. After the sky settles, real questions surface—should I play Breath of the Wild first, is it worth the cash, and what’s the deal with Link’s look—and this guide cuts through the hype with hard numbers, official sources, and honest answers.

Release Date: May 12, 2023 ·
Platform: Nintendo Switch ·
Main Story Length: ~59 hours ·
Number of Shrines: 152

The six key facts below offer a quick reference for the game’s core specs – ideal for comparing at a glance.

Do I need to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom?

Can I enjoy Tears of the Kingdom without playing Breath of the Wild?

• Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild (Nintendo eShop), but the story is self-contained enough that new players can jump in.
• The game teaches its unique mechanics (Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend, Recall) through the opening tutorial, so prior experience with Breath of the Wild is not required.
• Familiarity with the previous game’s world and lore adds emotional depth to certain quests, but the core adventure remains accessible (TheGamer).

What carries over from Breath of the Wild?

• No save data or progress transfers from Breath of the Wild.
• Players who completed Breath of the Wild will recognise the geography of Hyrule, though many areas have been transformed by new sky islands and underground caves.
• Equipment and abilities from the previous game do not carry over; all tools are earned fresh (Nintendo eShop).

The implication: If you are short on time, jumping straight into the sequel is perfectly viable.

Is Tears of the Kingdom worth it?

What is the Metacritic score?

• Tears of the Kingdom holds a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100, based on critic reviews (commonly cited across gaming publications).
• This places it among the highest-rated games of 2023, sharing the same tier as Breath of the Wild (which also scored 96).

What do critics say?

• IGN awarded the game a 10/10, calling it “an unfathomable follow-up … somehow improving upon it in nearly every way” (IGN video review).
• Nintendo’s official product page emphasises the expanded world – Hyrule now reaches into the sky and below the surface (Nintendo eShop).
• Common praise: the physics-based building mechanics (Ultrahand) and the Fuse system that lets players attach almost any object to weapons or shields.

The pattern: High critical scores reflect broad appeal, but personal tastes in game structure still matter.

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

What is the main story length?

• HowLongToBeat data, cited by TheGamer, estimates a main-story-only playthrough at about 59 hours.
• IGN editors reported finishing the main story in roughly 60–70 hours, with one hitting the credits at 70 hours with only 35% completion (IGN video review).
• Another IGN editor admitted they took about 82 hours because they got distracted by side content (IGN video review).

How long for 100% completion?

• A completionist run that exhausts every quest, shrine, and collectible averages about 224 hours according to TheGamer.
• A more moderate side-content-focused playthrough lands around 109 hours (TheGamer).

The catch: Playtime estimates vary wildly depending on how much you engage with the world’s systems.

What is Link’s gender?

Why is Link gender neutral?

• Nintendo’s official product materials present Link as the silent player-character without commenting on gender identity (Nintendo eShop).
• In the broader Zelda series, Link has been depicted as male, but his androgynous design – slender build, neutral features – frequently invites fan interpretations about gender (Nintendo eShop notes the character is simply “Link”).
• Nintendo has not made a canonical statement about Link’s gender in Tears of the Kingdom, leaving it open to player perception.

What is the official stance?

• In past interviews about the series, producers have referred to Link as “he” but emphasised that he is a vessel for the player.
• For Tears of the Kingdom, the game does not use gendered pronouns for Link in the text or voice, reinforcing the “blank slate” approach.

The pattern: Nintendo prioritizes player immersion over explicit character definition.

Is there LGBTQ in Zelda?

What does LGBTIQCAPGNGFNBA mean?

• This acronym is an expanded version of LGBTQ+ that attempts to include a wide range of identities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Curious, Asexual, Pansexual, Genderqueer, Non-binary, Fluid, Biromantic, Aromantic, and others).
• It is not used by Nintendo or in official Zelda materials; it appears in community and activist contexts to be maximally inclusive.

Are there any LGBTQ characters in Zelda?

• None of the mainline Zelda games, including Tears of the Kingdom, feature explicitly identified LGBTQ characters.
• Fans have interpreted certain characters (such as Gerudo designs, or the relationship between Kass and his family) as queer-coded, but these readings are not confirmed by Nintendo.
• The Zelda series has historically focused on a heteronormative Link–Zelda dynamic, though recent titles leave room for player interpretation.

The implication: If inclusive representation is a priority, the Zelda series still lags behind.

What is considered the hardest Zelda game?

Which Zelda games are hardest?

• Community consensus often ranks Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987) as the most difficult, due to its brutal combat and punishing side-scrolling platforming.
• Other contenders include the original The Legend of Zelda (no hand-holding, high enemy density) and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s Water Temple (puzzle complexity).
• Tears of the Kingdom is considered among the easier 3D entries, with flexible systems that allow creative problem-solving and abundant save points (TheGamer).

Which is the least liked game?

• The least well‑received Zelda game is often cited as Zelda II: The Adventure of Link due to its departure from the top‑down formula and high difficulty.
• The CD‑i titles ( Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon, Link: The Faces of Evil) are widely dismissed as non‑canon and poorly produced, but they are not mainline Nintendo entries.
• Among modern 3D games, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword receives mixed reviews for its motion controls and linear structure.

The consequence: Difficulty ratings help set expectations, but they rarely determine a game’s lasting appeal.

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

Four core differences emerge when you place the two games side by side. The sequel expands vertically and mechanically.

Pros and cons of Tears of the Kingdom

What we know and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Breath of the Wild is the direct predecessor (Nintendo eShop).
• Link is a male character by default in the series, but Nintendo does not foreground gender in Tears of the Kingdom.

What’s unclear

• Whether Nintendo will release paid DLC (TheGamer reports no official announcement).
• Future compatibility with a Nintendo Switch successor.
• The possibility of a canonical queer character in future Zelda titles.

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an unfathomable follow-up to one of the greatest games ever made, somehow improving upon it in nearly every way.”

– IGN (video review)

“Explore the vast land—and skies—of Hyrule. An epic adventure awaits.”

– Nintendo Official Site

Bottom line: For players hunting a 100+ hour adventure with unmatched creative freedom, Tears of the Kingdom delivers. If you prioritise narrative depth or inclusive representation, the game may leave you waiting. The choice for any Nintendo Switch owner is clear: pick it up and lose yourself in the sky, or wait for the next generation.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Ghost of Tsushima PC: Release Date, Specs & Reviews – another critically acclaimed open-world action game for Switch-like audiences
• Prismatic Evolutions Card List: Prices, TCG & More – Nintendo collectible card game coverage for the same gaming community