Almost as old as console gaming itself, the Legend of Zelda series and its numerous entries have become synonymous not only with Nintendo, but with gaming as a whole. The foundations have remained fairly constant throughout the main entries – a boy named Link finds a sword, fights through some dungeons, beats the big bad and saves a princess. Yet it’s how Nintendo delivers this formula that has made the series such a hallmark. Link’s adventure may have him cross a vast ocean as he commands the winds from one island to the next. Another entry may have him crossing through time itself, triggering changes in the past that impact the world around him in the future. The bold and innovative changes that each new adventure brings are key to the series’ long running success, and make every entry unique in its own way. So when Nintendo were gearing up to release their new Switch console – itself a bold and innovative risk – there was little surprise when they decided to pair the launch with another addition to the Zelda universe. What we may not have been expecting, however, was an entry that easily stands as one of gaming’s greatest adventures yet.
I’ve recently revisited Breath of the Wild after a long break since its release in 2017 – partly due to the fact that it deserved some time without distractions from other big releases, and I was also holding out for the significant story DLC to completely roll in. I was hesitant about starting over again after so long, wiping the decent amount of progress I had going from my first run – but it felt right in order to get the full experience (and to not get totally thrashed after forgetting how to swing a sword). It took just minutes to completely sink into this fresh start, leaving me wondering how I ever managed to put the thing down in the first place.
First things first – Breath of the Wild looks great. You’re thrust into the titular wild almost immediately, the view pulling back to give you an idea of the sheer scale of it all. The cel-shaded art style creates an environment blooming with colour and light – falling somewhere between the cartoon style used in the Wind Waker and the realism aimed for in Twilight Princess. Each area of Hyrule is easily distinguishable from the next, with picturesque coastal villages and cliffside forests offset by sandy deserts and white snowfields. These locations are brimming with character and detail, often having Link cross paths with the abundant wildlife or the odd local looking for a chat. The game also features its own day-night cycle, meaning you’re constantly running into breathtaking scenes completely organically – whether it be catching glimmers of a sunrise through thick forest treetops, or watching the moon hit the ocean’s surface as you sail on by.
The main aim behind this dynamic time system is not just for taking pretty screenshots of the sunset, however. Breath of the Wild, while also introducing a number of other innovations for the series, is very much based around survival. You’re able to keep track of the current time, incoming weather and other events that may immediately impact your journey. Travelling at night can be dangerous with more enemies on the road, however the darkness may give you the cover you need to creep into a guarded camp undetected. An incoming thunderstorm will strike you down if your gear conducts electricity, however the same goes for your enemies. Planning a long climb? Keep any eye on the radar for rain or else Link will find himself sliding straight back down. Becoming familiar with the best climbing techniques is one of the key aspects of Breath of the Wild – and you’ll be doing it a lot. Link is able to climb most vertical surface he comes across, creating almost infinite possibilities for traversal, puzzle solving and getting the drop on your enemies. Combine this mechanic with Link’s personal paraglider, and you’ll have all you need to spend hours soaring from Hyrule’s peaks and mountaintops throughout Link’s adventure.
In exploring off the beaten path, you’ll also find yourself duly rewarded. During the game’s tutorial area, you’re provided with a ‘Sheikah Slate’ – a small handheld tablet that is conveniently shaped like a Nintendo Switch. This functions as Link’s map, record keeper and key to all of the hundred-odd ‘shrines’ dotted across Hyrule. Each of these shrines feature a puzzle or combat challenge (some are a challenge to even locate), and overcoming them will net Link rewards such as new weapons, more health or increased stamina. These tasks are never too straining, with most shrines typically having one overarching puzzle design to get your head around. Most will require use of the Sheikah Slate’s abilities – such as conjuring bombs, moving magnetic items or freezing platforms of water – and the game’s total flexibility in their use often had me wondering if I was supposed complete a puzzle in the odd way that I did.
On top of this, many shrines (and areas in the outside world) will be littered with enemies for you to cut down, either with a large axe or the nearest available broomstick. In fitting with the survival dynamic, just about all weapons and shields Link finds are breakable. Flammable items become ash when torched, and that nice looking sword you pulled from a chest will fall to pieces given enough use. There are more than enough weapon options floating around Hyrule to keep you relatively well stocked, however you’ll have to determine which tools you can stand to lose – and which you’ll need to save for later. Deciding which of these items to use for a given fight adds to the game’s many puzzles, especially when challenging Link’s more intimidating foes.
Many of these most dangerous enemies will come about as part of the central story thread running through the game. There’s not a huge amount of directed story content, so I won’t spoil what’s there – though it will involve tackling a series of dungeons and bosses along the way. Unlike other entries in the Zelda series, these dungeons are much fewer in number and smaller in scale – essentially just larger versions of the game’s multiple shrines. They are rounded out with some decent storylines and scenes (featuring full voice acting almost never seen in the series), however the dungeons themselves could have been a bit more meaty. If you’re keen to step up the challenge a notch, the excellent and lengthy DLC content is a great option. Adding additional shrines, dungeons and restrictions, this bonus offering has some big prizes for those who have mastered Breath of the Wild‘s mechanics and combat. The final boss in this optional scenario is a reward in itself, and you’re also treated to some expansion on the game’s characters and storyline as well.
The story itself is minimal, but is well implemented and impactful. It succeeds in creating a cast of characters that have real stakes in what Link is trying to achieve, each given their own personality, goals, relationships and regrets. Zelda herself is also given a relatively central role, rather than being posed as a typical damsel in distress. The piecemeal-approach to storytelling provides an interesting and effective way of progressing the player through to the adventure’s end, especially when that conclusion could be tens of hours away.
However it’s not the plot and cast of characters that will define your play-through of Breath of the Wild, but rather the experiences and decisions you’ll make while becoming lost in its world. You’ll try experimental cooking with mixed results, end up stumbling across hidden tombs deep in tropical rainforests, and wander into rural villages full of their own quests and secrets. One of my most memorable moments came relatively early in the game, when I decided to climb an icy mountain using just an ugly coat and a positive attitude, a situation which almost found me frozen to death. Expecting to find another Shrine or perhaps another questionably rewarding Korok Seed, I instead found myself soaring through valleys in an attempt to rescue a creature taller than any mountain on the horizon. Such surprises are hidden in every corner of Hyrule, and your invested curiosity and exploration are almost always worth the effort.
It’s these moments that really make Breath of the Wild shine, and will keep you lost in its world for hours and hours. Pairing the game with the launch of the Switch was an absolute masterstroke by Nintendo, allowing players to easily dip their toe in whenever and wherever they like. Setting a new standard for all future entries in the series – as well as for gaming in general – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is absolute gold brimming with so many possibilities. It’s an easy recommendation to anyone yet to start, and also to those who’ve experienced the adventure in the past. Regardless of how much time you spend in Hyrule, there’s almost always an unturned stone or breathtaking discovery waiting to be found out there in the wild.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is available now on Nintendo Switch & Wii-U.