It felt bizarre coming again to Tears of the Kingdom, one in all my favorite gaming experiences evz, so quickly after I had wrapped it up for the primary time. Time has sped by unfathomably shortly, and I wasn’t certain whether or not a efficiency increase and an extra cellular app could be sufficient to let the Nintendo Swap 2 Version get its hooks in me to fairly the identical extent as its predecessor did again in 2023.
Nonetheless, I could not name myself a real Zelda fan if I did not at the least have a gander at this new bundle. I began a brand new save file (as a result of that is an possibility now), blinked, and all of a sudden realised that 5 hours had handed.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Swap 2 Version is likely to be one of many more durable titles to get your tongue round, however falling again into this elegant sequel was as simple as pie. These diving into the journey for the primary time can relaxation simple understanding that they are getting the sport in its mightiest type; those that have already poured tons of of hours into Hyperlink’s newest can really feel protected within the information {that a} efficiency increase and cellular extras are properly value making the return journey, even when a bit of the magic is misplaced alongside the way in which.
I am certain that you have already got an honest grasp of TOTK’s story and options, so I will not waste any time on a recap right here (and I like to recommend studying our Swap 1 overview first if you happen to’ve by no means performed the sport). Relaxation assured, the efficiency increase hasn’t taken something away from the sport’s scope. This Hyrule remains to be large and full to the brim with quest-giving NPCs, attention-snatching factors of curiosity, and, sure, ya-haha-ing Koroks.
The distinction is that every one of this feels a bit extra manageable now. I will get to the sport’s gorgeous facelift in only a second, however I might prefer to briefly spotlight Zelda Notes first.
This non-compulsory cellular add-on has levelled its fair proportion of criticism (even we Nintendo Life writers are break up on it). The audio steerage voice is painfully grating and as repetitive as they arrive — on that we are able to all agree — whereas the very precept of an exterior information dictating your each transfer is not nice for the immersion ranges. For Breath of the Wild and its tighter world, I, too, could be extra hesitant in regards to the Zelda Notes inclusion. However returning to my outdated save file on TOTK, and the *checks notes* 66% of the sport I nonetheless hadn’t accomplished after wrapping up the story, it felt like a welcome bonus.
Second Opinion
You discover the distinction earlier than even stepping foot in Hyrule, simply from the smoothness of the menu display screen’s swirling inexperienced tendrils; instantly, you realize you may by no means return. Efficiency-wise, it is a fabulous improve.
And but…The readability right here actually highlights repeating textures in far-off rock faces, and the pop-in of tiny flowers within the grass. Visible quirks that have been higher disguised within the fuzzier model are absolutely uncovered right here.
And as somebody with a debilitating Korok seed obsession, the Zelda Notes app seems like an irritating cop-out given the probabilities. Nintendo may have crafted a Korok go well with that buzzed, or a vibrating Stone of Agony callback that made use of HD rumble 2! However, no. “PROCEED NORTH…PROCEED NORTH…PROCEED NORTHWEST…PROCEED NORTH…”
It is non-compulsory, it is high-quality, and the efficiency greater than makes up for it. However there’s part of me left mildly upset at a chance missed.
Gavin Lane
Editor, Nintendo Life
One among TOTK’s biggest strengths is its near-endless sense of surprise — you may by no means spend an excessive amount of time on one goal earlier than being distracted by 12 others — however, significantly within the late recreation, it could possibly begin to really feel like a bit an excessive amount of. I, for instance, adore the Addison aspect quests, the place it’s a must to help a nervous little Hylian on his sign-balancing missions. I might like to finish extra of them, and the Zelda Notes addition may also help me to try this.
In current days, I’ve hopped on for a couple of minutes to tick off a few Koroks, beat a Shrine, or take heed to the brand new fully-voiced Voice Reminiscences from Zelda, Rauru, and Grasp Kohga — inessential bits of ‘lore’ however completely innocent. You possibly can nonetheless play with out the app, and let TOTK throw each distraction it could possibly muster your approach (and also you completely ought to), however taken as an additional that will probably be used predominantly by individuals who have already seen the journey to the tip, its inclusion makes Hyrule that bit much less intimidating.
However let’s not get slowed down in bonuses. TOTK – NS2 Ed.’s biggest power remains to be the bottom recreation, and good heavens, is that recreation an utter pleasure to play with this boosted efficiency.
On Swap 1, this was a marvel. It is a recreation the place you may mix any two objects to create one thing new, swim by way of mountains to shortly attain larger floor, and method fight encounters in any approach conceivable — mechs, meat shields, you identify it. The Swap may do all of this with out immediately bursting into flames (like I say, a marvel!), nevertheless it wasn’t with out its technical hiccups. Taking a stroll by way of the Korok Forest would nonetheless tank the body charge, issues would get crunchy when attempting to manoeuvre a big construct, and many others.
Expectedly, all of it is a factor of the previous this time round. From my expertise, the sport runs at a buttery clean 60fps on a regular basis. And I imply on a regular basis. I’ve sprinted by way of the Korok Forest with out a lot as a stutter, dived from Sky Island to depths with no slowdown, and fast-travelled with essentially the most minimal of load screens. It doesn’t matter what I threw at it, the Swap 2 stored issues regular.
And I can’t emphasise sufficient simply how fairly the whole lot seems when working with out restraint. Be it within the wind flowing by way of Hyperlink’s hair or the glowing vitality of a cowering Zonai assemble, enjoying with such buttery smoothness means you’ll not need to return to the unique in a rush. Imagine me, I attempted.
The decision increase has labored wonders for the world, too. Textures are way more outlined, even from afar, and the improved draw distance makes it simpler than ever to scout out a ground-level locale from a faraway Sky Island.
It is true that the 4K goodness (in docked mode) highlights a handful of visible blemishes that I do not bear in mind catching my eye within the unique — have these mountains all the time regarded so… grainy? — however with out a full overhaul of the artwork, this was certain to occur. And let’s be clear, I am nitpicking small blemishes right here. It seems gorgeous general.
If there’s one factor to remember earlier than diving again into Tears, it is that your playthrough is unlikely to be fairly as magical because it was the primary time round. The sport remains to be filled with magnificence however, outdoors of Zelda Notes, there’s nothing new right here. Kirby and the Forgotten Land will pack in bonus challenges on Swap 2, Mario Celebration Jamboree is getting new rulesets, however TOTK has been left as it’s.
Positive, £7.99 / $10.99 is a small value to pay to see the visible and efficiency improve in motion (even smaller to these with a Nintendo Swap On-line + Growth Pack membership, who get it for ‘free’), however do not anticipate to come back again and really feel the magic in fairly the identical approach as you would possibly with an extra Grasp Mode or Aspect Quest.
Conclusion
When all’s mentioned and achieved, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Swap 2 Version is a unbelievable revamp of maybe Nintendo’s most elegant sequel. What was as soon as a technical marvel on aged {hardware} now has an opportunity to really shine, with visible and efficiency boosts undoubtedly making it the definitive technique to play.
Nothing will ever match the sensation of enjoying it for the primary time, in fact, and a few bonus content material would have been welcome, however armed with Zelda Notes and the promise of buttery clean upgrades, I might problem anybody to dip again in with out shedding hours to its unrivalled surprise.
