So I got the game on Wii U from Argos this morning. The shop assistant who served me was tempting me to get a Switch, they had 7 in stock and the console seems readily available in my area but that's by the by.
Anyway, Zelda.
It's incredible. I have not felt this way playing a game for a long, long time. I can not remember the last time. It's just...stunning in every aspect. I have spent around 2 hours in the starting area so far, I have only just got to the first objective. I have not even scratched the surface but I have already seen so much if you know what I mean. I love how it encourages you to explore, I was off the beaten path right away and I have so far found some useful ingredients and weapons.
I found a cooking pit and spent a little time experimenting with the ingredients I had one hand, the cooking animations and sounds are super charming and the dishes you can create seem pretty varied. I mean, I had around 3 different ingredients yet made 2/3 different dishes based off the combinations I was using.
I love how it just throws you in and lets you get on with it, there is no handholding and it's fantastic. I have died once already and I am always weighing up the best approach to take on a bunch of enemies, looking at my weapons and supplies and thinking have I got enough to get through this battle at this stage.
I am currently taking a small break from the game to do a few jobs and then I'm back to it. It really is incredible, there are not enough superlatives for it.
Finally, the performance on Wii U. I've had two instances of slowdown so far. The game didn't slow down for me leaving the very first environment but it has in busier fields with lots of tall grass and trees, but it's nothing that detracts from the experience I am having. I am expecting a bit more slowdown when combat gets a bit busier - like what I have seen on previews and reviews where it does chug a bit but at this point I do not care.