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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild |OT2| It's 98 All Over Again
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Spyder_Monkey
Banned
Wow he gave it a score! Shocking turn of events.
Can't say I disagree with Jim's review. Maybe slightly harsh(if I had to score it - I'd probably give Zelda a 8.5 or 9), but I understand the points.
I'd maybe disagree a bit with the weather system. I don't think it's inherently bad, I think it's a cool idea which perhaps needed something to alleviate some of the annoyance. Like maybe being able to see the weather forecasts of other regions. There is points where you'll be climbing up a cliff and you'll cross a "boundary" in which it starts raining and you'll have had no way of preparing for it because you only see the forecast of the area that you're in. If you could see the weather forecast for areas I think it adds an interesting "plan ahead" kind of thing, which it already tried to do, but didn't give you all the necessary tools, in my opinion.
I agree that I wish they'd have been encouraging people to try new weapons or ideas in combat through other means than the durability. I don't think they should be implementing mechanics which forces you to play in a specific way, which is basically don't get attached to any weapon, use what you find. They should have done something to incentivise using other methods. Make interesting more difficult combat scenarios which make you think out side of the box, instead of forcing you to our of the fear of"I might run out of weapons". I mean it already does that to a certain extent but I wish it was expanded more through more enemy variety and the weakness systems being expanded - instead of having such an intrusive durability system in place.
I don't even think the problem to me is that I'm running out of weapons either, I've never ran out of weapons. I just find it a pain having everything break all the time, and having to go into the d-pad weapon menu to swap so often. It just breaks the combat up. It also killed any sense of reward from a chest since you know it's going to break fairly quickly (you can save it for a tough fight, but then you aren't enjoying the reward either....).
Even late game, where weapons don't break anywhere near as often, it's still an inventory management annoyance, I'm at a stage where I've got good weapons coming out of my ass, and It's a freaking pain every time I come across a chest with a weapon in a shrine. Having to chuck the weapon, or drop it (I drop if I'm only doing it temporarily since throwing takes off durability), open the chest again, then chuck away that weapon if it's bad only to pick up my old weapon - just to get the chest icon on the Shrine.
The most rewarding chests are the clothing ones really. Getting the climbing set from shrines is such a game changer and it feels great once you find them. I wish weapons felt the same way, the only weapon that does is the Master Sword.
I'd maybe disagree a bit with the weather system. I don't think it's inherently bad, I think it's a cool idea which perhaps needed something to alleviate some of the annoyance. Like maybe being able to see the weather forecasts of other regions. There is points where you'll be climbing up a cliff and you'll cross a "boundary" in which it starts raining and you'll have had no way of preparing for it because you only see the forecast of the area that you're in. If you could see the weather forecast for areas I think it adds an interesting "plan ahead" kind of thing, which it already tried to do, but didn't give you all the necessary tools, in my opinion.
I agree that I wish they'd have been encouraging people to try new weapons or ideas in combat through other means than the durability. I don't think they should be implementing mechanics which forces you to play in a specific way, which is basically don't get attached to any weapon, use what you find. They should have done something to incentivise using other methods. Make interesting more difficult combat scenarios which make you think out side of the box, instead of forcing you to our of the fear of"I might run out of weapons". I mean it already does that to a certain extent but I wish it was expanded more through more enemy variety and the weakness systems being expanded - instead of having such an intrusive durability system in place.
I don't even think the problem to me is that I'm running out of weapons either, I've never ran out of weapons. I just find it a pain having everything break all the time, and having to go into the d-pad weapon menu to swap so often. It just breaks the combat up. It also killed any sense of reward from a chest since you know it's going to break fairly quickly (you can save it for a tough fight, but then you aren't enjoying the reward either....).
Even late game, where weapons don't break anywhere near as often, it's still an inventory management annoyance, I'm at a stage where I've got good weapons coming out of my ass, and It's a freaking pain every time I come across a chest with a weapon in a shrine. Having to chuck the weapon, or drop it (I drop if I'm only doing it temporarily since throwing takes off durability), open the chest again, then chuck away that weapon if it's bad only to pick up my old weapon - just to get the chest icon on the Shrine.
The most rewarding chests are the clothing ones really. Getting the climbing set from shrines is such a game changer and it feels great once you find them. I wish weapons felt the same way, the only weapon that does is the Master Sword.
Yeah, it's kind of great. Also, I have a problem where I have to explore the entirity of the current region before I move in the the next one haha. I find it fun, though.
The Futurist
Member
Who the hell decided
I'm still really enjoying it, but after putting in about 30 hours, I'm at the point where I've lost all ability to believe video game reviewers.
It's like the entire game "journalist" community chose to overlook all the flaws this game has.
Zelda, like GTA and MGS has proven that it is a series that can never be reviewed fairly.
the master sword should have energy that runs out?
I'm still really enjoying it, but after putting in about 30 hours, I'm at the point where I've lost all ability to believe video game reviewers.
It's like the entire game "journalist" community chose to overlook all the flaws this game has.
Zelda, like GTA and MGS has proven that it is a series that can never be reviewed fairly.
AHA-Lambda
Member
This stuck out to me as well. You don't need to beat the shrine to use it as a fast travel point. If he couldn't understand that then I'm not sure how much faith I put into his review and ability to play games.
Crayon
Member
I just did the 1st of the four (this is spoiler for people who are almost totally blind on this game)
My reaction:
Long story short, I'm on board with the old
paradigm being deconstructed and put into a smaller roll for the new game. I like the shrines, for instance. But this particular sequence stuck out to me as less successful than everything else I've seen so far. It felt like a minor anti-climax and messy and really sticks out when everything else so far is so masterful.
divine beasts. Medoh over the rito village.
My reaction:
This dungeon was my first disappointment with this game. Not just the place itself, but the buildup around it was not so hot. The cannon shooting sequence was bordering on poor when one is accustomed to the rest of the game, it did not convey a strong theme like the best dungeons do, the stark linearity.... I could could keep going with complaints about this thing. I'm sure it's been discussed.
Long story short, I'm on board with the old
dungeon
Trickster
Member
It's not like it's two minor parts of the game though.
balladofwindfishes
Member
Man, Link can be pretty cruel when pieces of armor are involved
He lead that poor guy along for two different quests and left him without shoes and then denied him before he could even finish his sentence
Been looking forward to Jim's thoughts, points he makes are all fair and we can never hope for games to improve if someone doesn't point the flaws out.
While I'm not annoyed by the flaws he mentions to as a massive degree as he seems to be by them, I would still consider them flaws.
I found the main story shorter than I thought it would be too, I mean I was on it a week straight doing everything I saw until I finally went and beat Ganon, but I was expecting more main quests after the 4 divine beasts and if I did just go from point to point, it may be one of the shortest Zeldas actually, but not sure how practical it would be to beat it like that.
That said I do consider BOTW one of my favourite Zeldas actually and surpassed my expectations in a few ways, think what mostly makes me look at it favourably is how brave it was going outside of the traditional Zelda coventions, which they still would have easily paid well for them if they stuck to them, so I at least admire they took a risk, but for me it mostly paid off.
While I'm not annoyed by the flaws he mentions to as a massive degree as he seems to be by them, I would still consider them flaws.
I found the main story shorter than I thought it would be too, I mean I was on it a week straight doing everything I saw until I finally went and beat Ganon, but I was expecting more main quests after the 4 divine beasts and if I did just go from point to point, it may be one of the shortest Zeldas actually, but not sure how practical it would be to beat it like that.
That said I do consider BOTW one of my favourite Zeldas actually and surpassed my expectations in a few ways, think what mostly makes me look at it favourably is how brave it was going outside of the traditional Zelda coventions, which they still would have easily paid well for them if they stuck to them, so I at least admire they took a risk, but for me it mostly paid off.
Does that just not prove that he's baiting for the biggest reactions? He really should stop if he believes in the integrity of his own review. Don't know why he came into this thread baiting for reactions either.
Also, Jim is just upset because he knows the 'consumer worm' (his words, not mine) in him is gonna make him buy all the amiibos 
. I'd rate the game 7/10 too if I spent hundreds of dollars because of it...
... Wait, shit, I bought a Switch for it, so I guess I did. I played myself there.
. I'd rate the game 7/10 too if I spent hundreds of dollars because of it...... Wait, shit, I bought a Switch for it, so I guess I did. I played myself there.
I think I just sprained an extra-ocular muscle reading your post, dude
MosquitoSmasher
Member
98 just looked really nice and I guess it's cool for the developers too but at the end of the day it shouldn't matter one bit. It sure doesn't for me at all but I am baffled why those two things can make it a 7 when the game does so so much right.
Resistance100
Member
Disagree while all those series have their flaws, they've all produces 9/10 out of 10 experiences for me constantly
What I love is that not only can you go everywhere but there is also always something to do. Where older games were like "cool that you reached this part but please come back when we tell you to" this game goes "Welcome! Here's some loot and a quest or two"
balgajo
Member
It was a fair review, I agree with most of his points(though the score was a joke). But if that 9 score for Watch Dogs 2 is true he is definitely not someone that I will look when wanting opinion on a game.Lol, I was just curious is all Jim.
I got no hard feelings over your review.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
I wish the buffs from the Divine beast could recharge without using them all. Especially Revali's gale. Be nice to use one, and then not HAVE to use the other two before it will recharge to 3.
OrbitalBeard
Member
I actually have no problem with scoring this game a 7. I certainly disagree, but it's a perfectly valid opinion. I'm actually kind of surprised Jim didn't go lower.
But knowing that Sterling gave Fallout 4 a 9.5 means that he and I have vastly different ideas of what makes a great open world game . To me, Fallout 4 represents everything wrong with the genre.
But knowing that Sterling gave Fallout 4 a 9.5 means that he and I have vastly different ideas of what makes a great open world game . To me, Fallout 4 represents everything wrong with the genre.
You can literally mark shrines on the map. It's some very odd criticism. And if you run up to it and hit the button, it'll activate the fast travel point even if you don't enter it.
victreeb3l
Member
Thats what he gets for trying to do some slimy PUA shit to
manipulate Link into falling in love with him.
Oh, and of course it doesn't matter if his score drops the metacritic to 97. 98 was nice for hype and fanboys, but it won't have an iota of impact on people's enjoyment of the game and its commercial success. Reviews are largely irrelevant in the history of video games. If they were relevant, Wii Sports wouldn't have done much for the Wii, or it would have a 99.9 metacritic score.
Spyder_Monkey
Banned
Can't wait to hear the same trolls exclaim "Zelda is overrated" using justification from the man who gave Fallout 4 a 9.5.
But that's just my opinion, man.
The Hermit
Member
He gave Kid Icarus a 5?
I can look at him the same way again
He is still funny though
victreeb3l
Member
Yeah its hilarious how he couldnt figure out this super basic part of the game.
I'd recommend reading his review for full context of what he finds wrong with the game. The two people that responded to you gave completely reductive responses to your question. He finds more faults than just the two they told you.
RichiRamjag
Member
I don't know why people waste the time.
Pretty much, but that's not gonna happen.
Kissenkopf
Banned
Who cares for ONE mixed score. It is his opinion and then we should move on.
If one guy says it is not as good as hundred others say he is not automaticly right or is the only one who speaks the truth. Maybe it is not his kind of game or he expected something else. You guys worry way to much about other people opinions. It will still have a metavritic score of 98 and the game will still be fucking brillant for most people.
Some guys here dont like it either and the only difference is, that they dont give the game a score which matters.
If one guy says it is not as good as hundred others say he is not automaticly right or is the only one who speaks the truth. Maybe it is not his kind of game or he expected something else. You guys worry way to much about other people opinions. It will still have a metavritic score of 98 and the game will still be fucking brillant for most people.
Some guys here dont like it either and the only difference is, that they dont give the game a score which matters.
I mean his review style has always been that he doesn't hold any punches. He says what he feels, which may not what everyone thinks, but it's his review not theirs.
That's just who he is, it doesn't mean he wants attention.
Who cares if he reviewed it lower? Why does it matter that the meta-critic score dropped a point, I don't see how that affects anyone in the slightest(besides developer bonuses in some cases but I can't imagine that happening here).
I think it's great we have reviews from all perspectives, it gives people more opinions to look at and figure out for themselves whether they'd find issues annoying.
victreeb3l
Member
Yeah theyre so stupid lol. I loved the boss fight. Trademark Nintendo charm and humor.
Vic_Viper
Member
Are there Fishing Rods in the game that I just havent found yet? They couldnt have seriously forgotten to put a rod in this game lol. I realize you can just jump in the water and catch fish with your hands but that just isnt the same. A game like this with such an emphasis on cooking should have a fishing rob imo!
Lashley
Why does he wear the mask!?
I agree, but fanboys will be fanboys
It's okay for people to have different opinions.
Lashley
Why does he wear the mask!?
Two different games, two differing opinions. Does it really matter?
JonnyDBrit
Member
Regarding Jim's review, it's worth noting that one of his major points about it - and indeed, a regular consequence of his various gripes with the game - is that he feels the game isn't respectful of the player's time in its inefficiencies. This is a point he's made with several other games, so it's not that weird that it should be a particular issue he has with this game either.
I have zero problem with degradation. As far as stamina, you only need to use it for climbing. The rest of the time it's just a sprint cooldown.
Climbing is the "clever" way to reach places, and considering stamina it kind of becomes a puzzle. And this is coming from someone who had base stamina for a the first half the game while I focused on upgrading hearts. Seriously, it ain't bad. And I climbed everything. You just have to plan a little. To each their own, but I really like it.
Yes, agreed. I am hypercritical of games that take the player's time for granted as well. However, since how utilize my time in BotW is completely my choice, I don't ever feel like the game is wasting my time. Except maybe in menu management.
Climbing is the "clever" way to reach places, and considering stamina it kind of becomes a puzzle. And this is coming from someone who had base stamina for a the first half the game while I focused on upgrading hearts. Seriously, it ain't bad. And I climbed everything. You just have to plan a little. To each their own, but I really like it.
Yes, agreed. I am hypercritical of games that take the player's time for granted as well. However, since how utilize my time in BotW is completely my choice, I don't ever feel like the game is wasting my time. Except maybe in menu management.
Yeah there's a lot of things I kind of explicitly disagree with him in this review. Weapon durability and stamina are two of them, and the shrine issue you point in particular stands out a little bit in terms of Jim probably not giving the game enough credit in micromanaging travel distances and even travel elements.
Jim throws a jab at the game in the final line, equating the towers to Ubisoft towers, but... that also seems incredibly short sighted. The main issue people have with Ubisoft's towers is how they're essentially mandatory in uncovering new objectives. That's not the case in Breath of the Wild. The towers here facilitate the ease of environmental discovery because of how varied and deliberate the open world is. You can easily get that same vantage point if you climb up a mountain if you prefer. The towers are just a very effective means of having them, and they come with the bonus of unlocking the map (which ALSO is something that isn't mandatory). I noticed Jim responded on Twitter to someone pointing out that he praised Horizon's inclusion of towers, and while I haven't played that game yet, he said it's mainly because the towers present you with a challenge and surrounding obstacles you need to make your way around... which is kind of what Breath of the Wild also does? One of the towers has that calamity ooze stuff surrounding it, and the only way to get rid of it is by climbing on a relic and nailing a distant eye with an arrow. One of the towers is surrounded by stationary Guardians which will fire at you if you don't get rid of them or climb strategically. Another is surrounded by bramble which you can climb around if you have stamina but it's easier if you just burn it up. Elements like these go on.
As much as I love Jim for being a good voice in providing commentary on the game industry I really don't actually agree much with his assessments on actual games. Again, I think my disagreement with his opinion on open world games is probably best summarized by his MGSV review where he praised the game for not having padded filler content (funnily enough people seem to want to hold up his BoTW review for being "honest" and him having taken time with it even though he reviewed MGSV under the same circumstance).
| Praxis |
Banned
Stop caring about scores. It's better for your health.
Edit: When i saw GB's Brad playing this the other day, he was doing a (horse related spoiler)
anybody know where that was?
Edit: When i saw GB's Brad playing this the other day, he was doing a (horse related spoiler)
horse jump mini game
MosquitoSmasher
Member
I will read it myself then. No spoilers or whatsoever in there right?
I haven't bought the game yet (dithering on whether to settle for the Wii U version), and have been worried about the durability and stamina stuff since the game was shown off last E3, so I found Jim's review informative. His tastes usually differ from mine, but I was looking forward to his take on BotW amidst all this hype.
Review discussions tend to lose sight of the purpose of informing potential buyers, so I thought I'd just toss that in.
Review discussions tend to lose sight of the purpose of informing potential buyers, so I thought I'd just toss that in.
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