The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Reviews
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is more than just a fun co-op diversion from the large-scale solo adventures this series is known for. The challenging, intricate puzzles are great chaotic fun in local multiplayer or for a one-time run through in single-player. Limited communication tools make it difficult to play with adventurers online, but everywhere else it's a success.
A unique, challenging and sporadically delightful co-op game - but forget about the clumsy solo play.
A playful co-op experience that shines with mates, but isn't as precise or polished as a mainline Zelda.
It never settles into the replayable gameplay loop it clearly aspires to, but Tri Force Heroes offers some decent Zelda action
The newest installment in the storied franchise tries a lot of new things, but accomplishes only a few.
The newest Zelda can be a lot of fun under the right conditions, but it's more frustrating than not.
Nintendo had a fantastic idea with Tri Force Heroes, but the premise is underserved and undermined by some fundamental design issues and shaky online infrastructure. It's nothing short of a tragedy to wait a whole decade for another multiplayer Zelda and receive what feels like a largely unfinished idea with great potential.
Tri Force Heroes is not the Zelda we've come to expect and certainly not the experience we're all so agonizingly, painstakingly looking forward to seeing more of (whatever platform it'll be built for).
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is a mixed bag, though still exudes the charm of the franchise while throwing in some delightful features all of its own. Outfits are a high point, as are the presentation and soundtrack, and there are moments of wonder when level design and teamwork come together in harmony. There are weak points, however, with uneven stage design, poor communication options in multiplayer and a single player experience that's a mere afterthought. Tri Force Heroes isn't a bad game, but it's not on the same level as its illustrious predecessors.
Tri Force Heroes is a lot of fun when you're playing with friends, but make sure you have two buddies who can dedicate some time. The experience just isn't as engaging when you're alone, and you lose a lot of the social elements when you play with strangers over the Internet.
Even with the focus on multiplayer, this is an adventure that is just as enjoyable for lone heroes, especially for those who fancy a challenge.
A very good offshoot for the Zelda series, it's best – and in many ways should only be – played with friends. Fun, but a little shallow.
Tri-Force Heroes shares a similar visual style to the 3DS' excellent A Link Between Worlds but the comparisons end there. For a handheld Zelda, this latest installment is serviceable and shallow in light of what the series has provided before.
Sadly, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes doesn't quite wow the catwalk. It may have the character, control and theme down to a tee, but the dungeon design is nowhere near as tight as those from the main franchise. If you have the right minded people playing locally or using some kind of voice chat, you will have a blast if you can get past some of the flawed dungeon design. While far from a fashion disaster, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes does need some touching up.
I would outright suggest that you avoid Tri Force Heroes if you plan on going at it alone. The good news is that the online portion works wonderfully, and with download play, you can get a local three-person game running up in no time. If you don't fit that criteria though, you can probably pass on Link's newest adventure.
The series hasn't had many disappointments in its history (*cough*WanoGamlon*cough*... sorry, I meant to say The Wand of Gamelon) and Triforce Heroes certainly isn't one of them. It looks fantastic, it plays exactly how it should, and there's plenty of both material and challenges to keep playing for a long time. The Colosseum might be underwhelming, and the picture-taking stuff is basic, but the rest is damn fun. Now all I need are friends… *sniffle*
Zelda does definitely work as a co-op multiplayer game, assuming you can find suitably competent allies, in this fun and charming spin-off.
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is a game that's far better than its shackles allow it to be. Even as hampered as it is by online chicanery and distinctly "Nintendo" hassles, it's still a great deal of fun and one of the best handheld online adventures you could undertake. It just requires some patience to get working, with a reward that's well worth it. Also, come on… it's gay as hell. And I kind of love that.
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is an enjoyable multiplayer Zelda experience, but one that has trouble holding up too well over the long haul. Single player is a bit of a disaster, offering little more than tedium and frustration, so if you don't have some friends to play with you might want to avoid this game. Even without them though you can hop online, which works extremely well when all three players are invested. Overall, if you enjoyed Four Swords then you'll find something to like here, but casual fans might struggle.
Barely Zelda, but reasonably fun – assuming you have a Wifi hotspot connection or a couple of pals with whom to play