Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Is Just As Brilliant Today As It Was In 2017

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released in 2017 alongside the Nintendo Switch. I was not surprised. While I thoroughly enjoyed the E3 2016 experience, and loved the artwork style, I was worried that the many ways the game reinterpreted my favourite series would make me lose touch with what brought me to it. It clicked for me almost instantly once I had the final game in my hand.

After 65 hours of gameplay, The Legend of Zelda – Breath of the Wild was my favourite game. Breath of the Wild was never played again due to the lack of multiple saved files. While I have the option to create an additional account for my Switch, I was determined not to. I also wanted my Switch profile updated with all my favorite titles. With the sequel to Breath of the Wild looming, I decided it was now or never, so I created a new save file, erasing my first playthrough that cemented it as my favorite game, and embarked on a journey to challenge the strong opinions I formed more than four years ago.

Unforgettable places, a new adventure

Although I was thrilled to open a new file in Breath of Wild, I must admit that I was anxious. Is my first reaction some sort of knee-jerk hyperbole or was it a genuine surprise? Could the game fail to live up the high standards I set in years of its existence? Do I have it become “my favorite video game” so much that it is more important than the product it actually exists? My journey is not over, but I’m thrilled to announce that Breath of the Wild will be just as beloved in 2021 than it was in 2017.

Prior to starting the new game, I thought about what my favorite things were. I’ve often pointed towards the sense of wonder Link’s latest adventure instilled in me as one of the key reasons I consider it my favorite; I figured that with the ongoing evolution of open worlds, nothing would ever give me the feeling Ocarina of Time was able to deliver in the nascent years of 3D gaming. Every corner of Breath of the Wild is a new surprise and each explorative adventure rewards you with the unanticipated.

There are certain pieces of entertainment I desire to experience again for the first time – Breaking BadThe Who Quadrophenia, Black Mirror “San Junipero” episode to name a few – but none of them top my desire to be able to play Breath of the Wild again for the first time. Although I have often desired a Second Quest-style game mode that played largely the exact same way, Hyrule has been completely overhauled for an enhanced sense of discovery. It turns out you can trick yourself by giving yourself four years between plays. Some parts of Hyrule are still vividly etched in my mind from the very first game. I remember the terror of meeting a Guardian and the challenges presented by a few towers. But I find myself looking up at the cliffsides more than once, wondering where the treasure is. Therein lies the magic that has sustained my love for Breath of the Wild for four years, and I’m ecstatic it still registers on a second playthrough.

Beauty is everywhere

It takes only a glance at a screenshot and you can instantly recall how beautiful Hyrule in Breath to the Wild is. But, this time I am appreciating it more. Yesterday night was a great example. Last night, I watched from the field as a thunderstorm rolled in. It was all perfect. From the dark clouds that obscured the sunlight to the rain pillars within my reach, it was everything I could have wished for. This is just one example that shows the beauty and wonder of the world. Hyrule offers many unforgettable moments.

Of course, it’s way more than the exploration and the beauty of the world that creates a unique and special experience. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is truly greater than the sum of its parts, and isolating any individual component is insufficient when painting a picture of the game’s greatness. Without the Shrines that reward players for their exploration, each piece is a complete package. Without random encounters what incentive would players need to finish the Shrines, explore and level Link to increase his inventory and to continue to improve Link’s levels? The Shrines are fun and rewarding and provide short brain-stretching puzzles that break up long runs of combat or wandering.

Breath of the Wild works because every piece is essential – yes, even the breakable weapons. I typically don’t like weapon durability in games, particularly ones that give you weapons as rewards for exploration and completing milestone moments in the story. Breath of the Wild does both of those things, but it works as it pushes you to continue scouring and scrounging so you can replace the things you’ve lost. Each battle should be approached carefully in terms of how you engage, and the weapons you choose to use. You don’t want to risk precious durability by using a powerful sword you haven’t got to. The Breath of the Wild adventure is based on the puzzle of combat strategy, which weapons to use and where to look for replacements.

Breath of the Wild makes it clear that the experience is more important than the end result.e destination, but the whole experience builds to the final confrontation with Ganon. Each aspect of the game involves training, leveling and preparing yourself for your final challenge. The climactic fight is well worth the wait. I’m Enjoying every moment and taking it slow has allowed me to avoid the tension of the storming Hyrule Castle on my way to confronting the most terrifying version Ganon I’ve ever encountered. However, I am aware that Ganon is looming. Every time you climb a tower to get the map of Hyrule Castle, you can see him there. It’s a constant reminder of who you are fighting against and what you stand for. My former colleague Kyle Hilliard said in his review that “When I decided I was ready for Ganon, it felt as the culmination a lifetime worth of preparation that finally ended with an enormously satisfying finale.” While I won’t be able to face Ganon, it’s something I am preparing for every single time I switch on my Switch.

After restoring the Divine Beasts, and killing Ganon, I am looking forward to the sequel to Breath of the Wild. Due to the differences between Final Fantasy X-2 and Majora’s Mask, I don’t usually play direct sequels of my favourite games. While I worry about the possibility that the sequel will abandon key elements that made me fall in love Breath of the Wild, I try to remain open-minded as Nintendo announces the details of the sequel. After all, not too long ago, I was worried by the differences between Breath of the Wild and the previous games. It’s exciting to see how director Hidemaro Fubayashi and the other members of the Breath of the Wild team can surprise me.