The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is possibly the bravest take on the series as it includes a plethora of new mechanics and features. While some may argue that Nintendo is late with these inclusions, the studio manages to pull them off in a creative and unique way.
Forgot everything you know about the Zelda franchise when stepping into The Breath of the Wild. The Verge reports that Nintendo has aimed to try and recapture the essence of exploration in their latest installment. Here, fans are thrust into the vast fields of Hyrule with very little guidance. Although, this is actually one of its highlights as this presents players with an opportunity to create their own adventure.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's New Mechanics
In line with this, the game is trying to deviate from its standard formula to enter a more modern genre similar to The Witcher and Skyrim. When players begin the game, they stumble across an old man and a mysterious voice telling them where to go. From then on, it is up to the player to navigate the fields and choose to follow the destination or take an alternate route entirely.
The series also introduces a cooking mechanic wherein the protagonist can gather materials and whip himself a tasty meal or potions. Speaking of, players will have to rely on food instead of hearts to recover their health in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Food also has a variety of side effects which can improve things like stealth or prepare the players for intense weather. However, cooking in itself takes a lot of experimentation as successful dishes can lead to appetizing dishes while failure wastes resources.
The Dangers That Encompass the Overworld
Fittingly enough, the game itself seems to be built on the theme of trial and error. Since the game leaves players to their own devices, players must find out how to survive the harsh fields of Hyrule by themselves. Powerful enemies roam the areas and can easily kill the player if s/he is not careful. Since weapons are now breakable, fans will have to carefully choose which equipment they plan to bring in combat. Luckily, the game provides an ample amount of unique items that fans can use as weapons.
On the other hand, some players might find themselves dying at the hands of mother nature who is just as fierce as the many enemies. Entering places that are too cold with thin clothing can lead to a quick death. Furthermore, the hero can drown if their stamina meter runs out while swimming in a large pool of water. Even scaling walls becomes a threat during rainy weather as fans can easily slip off.
Some Things Will Stay the Same
However, some of the core factors stay the same like series protagonist Link reprising his role. Similarly, the iconic princess Zelda returns along with the familiar villain, Ganon. It also keeps some traditional elements like chests and quests but streamlines and modernizes it. Another report from The Verge claims that investing in a pro controller will make the overall experience better.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of Nintendo's boldest moves over the years and shows that they are also moving with the times. The game boasts an expansive world with creative mechanics that should provide for a fulfilling adventure. Fans can pick up their copy of the game on Mar. 3.
