Wow. So.. I think there are pros and cons with this game compared to BOTW. I'll quickly discuss what wasn't really great about this game.
The optimization in this game is.. sad. Because it's well optimized, but the switch can't handle it. We all know this by now, this game has frame rate dips, intentional resolution drops, worse render distance, and for some reason has sound popping on my switch oled? That last one might just be my system though. This is a meaty game and you will find it freezing when you do something the game allows and encourages you to do like jump into hyrule chasm. Graphically, It's distracting and often doesn't look good, and the real crime here is the Nintendo Switch. Let it be known that if this system does not get a major graphical upgrade by the end of next year, there cannot be more big games releasing on this thing, it's puny and it's almost 7 god damn years old.
My other issue I have unfortunately lies with the writing and voice acting. The story is fine, I think it's interesting for what it is but.. the voice acting. Can they.. fix that at all? Can they have certain voice actors NOT sound unenthusiastic or cringy? Yunobo is really annoying and Zelda still.. doesn't quite work for me. Though I really liked Sonia? And Mineru wasn't so bad. I will say, I think I got used to it as the game wrapped up, but I still wish that could be better along with the writing. It just needs to have more emotion put into it and I don't think I'm asking for much. Such as dubs go, I guess.
Okay, now that that has been said...
...Wow.
This is without a fucking DOUBT, the best exclusive on switch right alongside Super Mario Odyssey. I am absolutely blown away with how intuitive the building system works and how fun the world is to do.. ANYTHING in. Any contraption beyond your wildest imagination is possible (as long as you don't care about frame rate dips). The exploration was turned up to 1000 with the inclusion of the depths, the sky, and the caves. Seeing "discovery" on the screen brings me so much joy. The weapon system brings me so much joy! Fuse is so much fun to play around with and see how new weapons react with certain items. Weapon buffs and powerful monster parts make it so every weapon is interesting, and you also never really run out lol. Every battle can be tackled in wayy more ways than before, and the way the overworld was transformed truly beats the allegations of "it's just the same map!" It's a full blown sequel, there is no denying that.
Now I wish the narrative and the writing were better, but let me tell you, the artistic value in the world of BOTW/TOTK is unmatched, and it shows in this game more than ever. The M U S I C is SO FUCKING GOOOD AAAAHH (Nintendo, release it on spotify or I will do violence). The score just takes you away and lifts you into the sky, often literally. The mood that's expressed in every theme and motif is just perfect. The gloom theme? INSANE. Those computery voice noises are just incredible. And the cinematics, I just loved. I love both games artstyles so much, especially because they work with the switch's graphical capabilities so well. But man, the dragons, the depths, the zonai constructs, this game absolutely nailed it with how much newly designed stuff is here.
I.. love this game, that's not an unpopular thing to say, and it is absolutely the most quality game on switch despite it's shortcomings. I desperately want to see this game run better on native hardware to see it at it's full potential. But as it stands, it's far from unplayable. In fact, this is a game you can really just keep playing and keep having that authentic feeling with. That feeling of discovery, freedom, and being in the world just listening to the music and sounds of nature, or the sky, whatever. Is it better than BOTW? I would say yes and no? But not equally, ultimately, It's a resounding yes to me because there is simply so much more than before that it is overall a better game. A truly special game and a truly special entry in this franchise. But we already know this. If you own a switch and haven't played this game... what tf are you doing? Don't buy pokemon scarlet/violet. You know what to play. It's this.
The optimization in this game is.. sad. Because it's well optimized, but the switch can't handle it. We all know this by now, this game has frame rate dips, intentional resolution drops, worse render distance, and for some reason has sound popping on my switch oled? That last one might just be my system though. This is a meaty game and you will find it freezing when you do something the game allows and encourages you to do like jump into hyrule chasm. Graphically, It's distracting and often doesn't look good, and the real crime here is the Nintendo Switch. Let it be known that if this system does not get a major graphical upgrade by the end of next year, there cannot be more big games releasing on this thing, it's puny and it's almost 7 god damn years old.
My other issue I have unfortunately lies with the writing and voice acting. The story is fine, I think it's interesting for what it is but.. the voice acting. Can they.. fix that at all? Can they have certain voice actors NOT sound unenthusiastic or cringy? Yunobo is really annoying and Zelda still.. doesn't quite work for me. Though I really liked Sonia? And Mineru wasn't so bad. I will say, I think I got used to it as the game wrapped up, but I still wish that could be better along with the writing. It just needs to have more emotion put into it and I don't think I'm asking for much. Such as dubs go, I guess.
Okay, now that that has been said...
...Wow.
This is without a fucking DOUBT, the best exclusive on switch right alongside Super Mario Odyssey. I am absolutely blown away with how intuitive the building system works and how fun the world is to do.. ANYTHING in. Any contraption beyond your wildest imagination is possible (as long as you don't care about frame rate dips). The exploration was turned up to 1000 with the inclusion of the depths, the sky, and the caves. Seeing "discovery" on the screen brings me so much joy. The weapon system brings me so much joy! Fuse is so much fun to play around with and see how new weapons react with certain items. Weapon buffs and powerful monster parts make it so every weapon is interesting, and you also never really run out lol. Every battle can be tackled in wayy more ways than before, and the way the overworld was transformed truly beats the allegations of "it's just the same map!" It's a full blown sequel, there is no denying that.
Now I wish the narrative and the writing were better, but let me tell you, the artistic value in the world of BOTW/TOTK is unmatched, and it shows in this game more than ever. The M U S I C is SO FUCKING GOOOD AAAAHH (Nintendo, release it on spotify or I will do violence). The score just takes you away and lifts you into the sky, often literally. The mood that's expressed in every theme and motif is just perfect. The gloom theme? INSANE. Those computery voice noises are just incredible. And the cinematics, I just loved. I love both games artstyles so much, especially because they work with the switch's graphical capabilities so well. But man, the dragons, the depths, the zonai constructs, this game absolutely nailed it with how much newly designed stuff is here.
I.. love this game, that's not an unpopular thing to say, and it is absolutely the most quality game on switch despite it's shortcomings. I desperately want to see this game run better on native hardware to see it at it's full potential. But as it stands, it's far from unplayable. In fact, this is a game you can really just keep playing and keep having that authentic feeling with. That feeling of discovery, freedom, and being in the world just listening to the music and sounds of nature, or the sky, whatever. Is it better than BOTW? I would say yes and no? But not equally, ultimately, It's a resounding yes to me because there is simply so much more than before that it is overall a better game. A truly special game and a truly special entry in this franchise. But we already know this. If you own a switch and haven't played this game... what tf are you doing? Don't buy pokemon scarlet/violet. You know what to play. It's this.