For anyone who hasn‘t experienced the Legend of Zelda series before, Breath of the Wild offers an utterly captivating adventure that stands wholly on its own. You do not need any prior Zelda knowledge to dive into this masterpiece.
Breath of the Wild redefines open world gaming with its richly interactive environment and immense freedom. Its rewarding gameplay and enchanting world create an experience so magical, it transcends being just a great Zelda game or open world game. Breath of the Wild is quite simply one of the greatest video games ever made.
A Bold New Direction
Previous Zelda games followed a relatively linear structure as you progressed through dungeons in a set order. Breath of the Wild revolutionizes the series by giving you an open world to explore freely. After finishing the introductory Great Plateau area, you can head straight for the final boss, spend 100+ hours on side quests, or anything in between.
This radical shift stunned critics and fans. No longer confined to narrow paths, you can climb nearly any surface and go wherever you see. This organic exploration led to the highest praise:
- 97 metascore, highest rated Zelda game.
- Over 250 Game of the Year awards.
- One of the highest rated games ever with 55 perfect review scores.
In Breath of the Wild, you truly live off the land – scavenging weapons, gathering ingredients for cooking, hunting wildlife etc. The world feels alive and lived in. Completing objectives any way you want makes for thrilling player stories.
A Standalone Story and World
Breath of the Wild‘s story revolves around waking up alone in the ruins of Hyrule kingdom. Your memories slowly return as you embark on your quest. The narrative masterfully unfolds through the world itself and optional discovery instead of excessive cutscenes.
Lush forests, sweeping plains, snow-capped mountains – Hyrule feels like a real place brimming with ecosystems and wildlife. Every valley holds a new mystery. Melancholic piano notes drift through forgotten ruins. Breath of the Wild‘s stylized art direction and poignant soundtrack bring its world to life like no other.
Nintendo packed the world with details that encourage you to slow down and appreciate each locale. Delightful surprises like shooting a dragon‘s horn off or rolling a snowball down a hill emerge naturally rather than flashy graphics or set pieces. Breath of the Wild focuses on rewarding gameplay interactions.
Welcoming Gameplay for All
Breath of the Wild features intuitive controls and crafting systems that ease you into the gameplay. Robust options accommodate different experience levels and playstyles without overly complex menus. The inviting world draws you in, not steep learning curves.
The adjustable difficulty lets you tailor the pace to your liking. Challenge yourself against tough enemies or take it slow to learn the mechanics. Handy tools like the paraglider and climbable surfaces make exploration frictionless and fun. Immersive sound design and UI guide you beautifully.
Puzzles tap your wits, not obtuse Zelda lore. Breath of the Wild‘s timeless design welcomes first-timers and long-time fans alike. Its artistry and charm speak universally through pure gameplay.
Near Universal Acclaim
Breath of the Wild garnered near perfect review scores across the board:
- Metacritic – 97
- IGN – 10/10
- GameSpot – 10/10
- Destructoid – 10/10
It swept Game of the Year awards and is considered one of the greatest games of all time for good reason. Breath of the Wild transcends being just a great Zelda game or open world game. Its magical sense of wonder and adventure speak to everyone regardless of experience.
Innovation and Accessibility
Some open world games overwhelm you with map icons and tiresome checklists. Breath of the Wild pioneered a minimalist approach, giving you clear main objectives and trusting your curiosity to guide you. Its world evolves based on natural ecosystems, not just level scaling.
Nintendo honed Breath of the Wild‘srevolutionary design through years of experiments. Building on learnings from past games like Wind Waker, Nintendo crafted interactive systems that foster emergent gameplay.
If you find open world games intimidating, don‘t worry – Breath of the Wild eases you in. Your slate powers, Champion abilities, and equipment options grow over time. Challenges early on prepare you for greater threats. You might struggle at first, but soon you‘ll be a puzzle solving, dragon battling pro.
The Zelda Legacy
The original Legend of Zelda pioneered open world exploration and adventure back in 1986. Breath of the Wild recaptures that sense of wonder in a thoroughly modern package. It represents the pinnacle of decades of Zelda innovation.
Yet as a testament to Nintendo‘s masterful design, no past Zelda knowledge is required. Breath of the Wild stands shoulder to shoulder with the greatest games of all time. Its ripple effects will be felt for years as new open world games learn from its strides in player freedom and emergent gameplay.
An Unforgettable Adventure
For anyone seeking a magical journey filled with mystery, surprises, and memorable moments – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild awaits. Its beautiful world teeming with secrets and adventures begs to be explored. Each player‘s unique experiences in Hyrule create personal stories worth sharing.
Whether you‘ve played every Zelda or none at all, Breath of the Wild delivers an experience unlike anything else. Let this masterpiece sweep you away on the adventure of a lifetime.
