Various gaming critics from around the web weigh in on The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes for Nintendo 3DS, with the game receiving mixed reviews overall.

With The Legend of Zelda for Wii U delayed to 2016, Zelda fans have been counting on The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes on the 3DS to help fill the void. The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is a departure from the mainline Zelda titles in that it has a co-op focus, and features a gimmick wherein Link wears various outfits to utilize different abilities. Unfortunately, it looks like these gambles with the formula haven't paid off, as The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is now the lowest-rated game in series' history.

See what the critics are saying about Link's latest adventure:

Destructoid (Chris Carter)

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.

Score: 7/10

Game Informer (Kyle Hilliard)

Tri Force Heroes does co-op well, but the repetitive gameplay loop simply isn’t satisfying. The rewards are worthwhile, but the journey gets tiresome before making it to the final boss. Tonally, the game has a great style and welcoming sense of humor, but I found little reason to continue to revisit the Drablands after my initial ventures.

Score: 7.25/10

GameSpot (Mike Mahardy)

Consider this: in single player, Nintendo grants you the option to skip entire sections of each dungeon, so long as you're fine with the prospect of less loot. I avoided this route, but considered it often. There are hints of a great game here, and when three players are cooperating in frantic battles, or working through dynamic puzzles, it shows.

But like its story of fashion and surface appeal, there’s not much depth here, and the facade fades with time. Tri Force Heroes offers us the means to work together, but not enough reason to do so.

Score: 5/10

GamesRadar+ (Matt Clapham)

Not that the threads are the reason to play Tri Force Heroes. That would be the rush of taking down a boss with randos, using gestures and the occasional judicious throw in the right direction to nudge your team along. That would be for chuckling to yourself at the lightheartedness of it all, or the best surprises along the way. The outfits may lend a certain temporary razzle dazzle, but this old timer knows how to do co-op videogame adventuring in way that’s never going out style.

Score: 3.5/5

IGN (Jose Otero)

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.

Score: 8.5/10

This mixed reception has left The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes as the lowest rated Nintendo-developed Zelda game to date, sitting at a 73.42% review average at the time of this writing. By comparison, the previous Zelda game on the 3DS, A Link Between Worlds, released to critical acclaim and earned a 90.55% review average upon release.

Tri Force Heroes was already drawing criticism pre-release, thanks to its lack of female playable characters and the choice to not allow 2-player co-op, and it appears the title can't prove naysayers wrong. Since the co-op isn't required for gameplay but is a core conceit in the game, many people will have to make due with flying solo, which reviews indicate is the least enjoyable aspect of the game.

Despite the mixed reviews, the Nintendo faithful will still likely pick up Tri Force Heroes when it releases in a couple of days on the 3DS. Those that aren't quite as invested in the Zelda franchise should probably be a bit more cautious before they decide to purchase the game, however.

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes will release on October 23rd, exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS.