Wow, I am getting myself in serious trouble with this review score. Alright, I've got skin in the game now, so let's keep going.
The aspects of TotK I found disappointing were outright unforgivable: it fixed almost none of my problems from the previous game, which I already think was very flawed. TotK kept BotW's weak combat system bolstered by the same weapon degradation mechanic no one likes; it copies the story structure point-for-point even though diehard BotW fans can admit the story was the weakest part of it, and TotK managed to tell an even weaker story with more plot holes, worse storytelling, and more timeline nonsense; The map, most enemies, and most of the side characters are copy-and-pasted from the previous game, making this feel more like an expansion pass than a new campaign. The only flaw from BotW that was fixed was the boss roster: these bosses are actually pretty decent, but they aren't enough.
This game may offer expansive exploration, but I found this exact map sparse and underwhelming in 2017, and I feel the same way now. The new layers of the map were a good touch, but the sky is so barren and the underground is so bland that it doesn't add much.
The only thing in the entire game that feels exceptional at all is the building mechanic. You can get wonderfully creative putting those contraptions together, and I'm sure people have had hours of fun just fiddling with it. But, while using Zoni parts to make a Hylian airplane or a rolling execution chamber is fun, if I can only have it at the expense of a compelling story, strong characters, varied combat, new enemies, a new map, and any of the thematic brilliance or narrative innovation Zelda games have enraptured me with for as long as I can remember, then it wasn't a good deal.
I got through about half the shrines, and then I just hit a wall with this game; I really didn't want to play anymore, so I rushed to the end and experienced the game's disappointing ending which, just like every other aspect of the story, was lifted from the previous game and done worse. The ending rung so hollow for me, and I don't see myself ever revisiting the game.
I tolerated many of the aforementioned flaws I noticed in BotW because that game was new, innovative, and took so many risks. I never agreed that it was one of the all-time greats, but I agreed it laid the foundation for such a game. I thought a sequel could grasp that unused potential and create a game I liked every bit as much as everyone else liked BotW, and I was very disappointed.
Do you want to know why my expectations were so high? Because, about half-a-year ago, I plaid God of War Ragnarök. That game is everything this one should have been. Taking the previous game's foundation, and fixing every single narrative and gameplay problem I had; providing an excellent story, endearing characters, great performances, fun combat, enemy variety, adding new themes to the story and new development to the characters, and making re-used maps feel fresh with new assets and seasons. I can't expect every game to be GoW 5, that game really is one of the all-time greats, but the idea that some people are giving TotK perfect scores when games like GoW 5 exist just baffles me. That game deserves five stars; this one is getting three.
I know I got really negative while writing this review, and I don't fault people for enjoying this game, for there is definitely fun to be had with it. But, for me, the best thing I can say about Tears is that I no-longer need to wonder what my least-favorite mainline Zelda game is. Clearly everyone else will be satisfied if the next Zelda game follows this exact formula with few changes or improvements and good for them. But, if this trend continues, I'll be playing something else.
The aspects of TotK I found disappointing were outright unforgivable: it fixed almost none of my problems from the previous game, which I already think was very flawed. TotK kept BotW's weak combat system bolstered by the same weapon degradation mechanic no one likes; it copies the story structure point-for-point even though diehard BotW fans can admit the story was the weakest part of it, and TotK managed to tell an even weaker story with more plot holes, worse storytelling, and more timeline nonsense; The map, most enemies, and most of the side characters are copy-and-pasted from the previous game, making this feel more like an expansion pass than a new campaign. The only flaw from BotW that was fixed was the boss roster: these bosses are actually pretty decent, but they aren't enough.
This game may offer expansive exploration, but I found this exact map sparse and underwhelming in 2017, and I feel the same way now. The new layers of the map were a good touch, but the sky is so barren and the underground is so bland that it doesn't add much.
The only thing in the entire game that feels exceptional at all is the building mechanic. You can get wonderfully creative putting those contraptions together, and I'm sure people have had hours of fun just fiddling with it. But, while using Zoni parts to make a Hylian airplane or a rolling execution chamber is fun, if I can only have it at the expense of a compelling story, strong characters, varied combat, new enemies, a new map, and any of the thematic brilliance or narrative innovation Zelda games have enraptured me with for as long as I can remember, then it wasn't a good deal.
I got through about half the shrines, and then I just hit a wall with this game; I really didn't want to play anymore, so I rushed to the end and experienced the game's disappointing ending which, just like every other aspect of the story, was lifted from the previous game and done worse. The ending rung so hollow for me, and I don't see myself ever revisiting the game.
I tolerated many of the aforementioned flaws I noticed in BotW because that game was new, innovative, and took so many risks. I never agreed that it was one of the all-time greats, but I agreed it laid the foundation for such a game. I thought a sequel could grasp that unused potential and create a game I liked every bit as much as everyone else liked BotW, and I was very disappointed.
Do you want to know why my expectations were so high? Because, about half-a-year ago, I plaid God of War Ragnarök. That game is everything this one should have been. Taking the previous game's foundation, and fixing every single narrative and gameplay problem I had; providing an excellent story, endearing characters, great performances, fun combat, enemy variety, adding new themes to the story and new development to the characters, and making re-used maps feel fresh with new assets and seasons. I can't expect every game to be GoW 5, that game really is one of the all-time greats, but the idea that some people are giving TotK perfect scores when games like GoW 5 exist just baffles me. That game deserves five stars; this one is getting three.
I know I got really negative while writing this review, and I don't fault people for enjoying this game, for there is definitely fun to be had with it. But, for me, the best thing I can say about Tears is that I no-longer need to wonder what my least-favorite mainline Zelda game is. Clearly everyone else will be satisfied if the next Zelda game follows this exact formula with few changes or improvements and good for them. But, if this trend continues, I'll be playing something else.