The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild |OT| A Link from the Past
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Moz La Punk
Member
I have held off posting impressions for the simple fact that I've been totally engrossed in this game the entire weekend. The most impressive thing about that is that it still feels like I've just scratched the surface. I haven't had that since The Witcher 3. I mean, Horizon (that I had played a few weeks earlier thank god because I had to review it), had me totally engrossed but that was just 3 days before I completed it.
So, now I'm ready to offer my first impressions. Note that I'm a huge Zelda- and Nintendo-fan but that I'm not blind to the various problems of both the company and the franchise the past decade or so. Also note that I've played through the Great Plateau two times before, once on Wii U at E3 2016, once on Switch beginning this year during the Switch reveal.
What a fantastic game this is. Playing it at E3 truly doesnt prepare you for playing it at home, when there are no distractions and you can go on with it in your own speed, in your own way. I've played through the entire Plateau in I think 4 to 5 hours, discovering every nook and cranny and enjoying the way the game gives you freedom and still teaches you all the important gameplay facets during this starting area. Truly a masterful craftmanship on Nintendo's part.
I think I've played around 20 hours now since friday and I've opened up five area's with towers (the starting Plateau, the Hyrule Field in front of it, the two areas to the right with
and the other,
, and the area above with
where I've just arrived and talked to
. Getting ready to take on my first
.
Even though its my job to express myself in words (although in Dutch language, but still), it's hard for me to really express why this Zelda-game is by far the best Zelda I have ever played. I grew up with the very first Zelda and especially Ocarina of Time, that I played on launch when I was... I think... 13 or 14... has made a lasting impact on me. Ocarina of Time was the game that truly blew me away and showed me how masterful Nintendo was in the making of games. Ive played Nintendo-games all my life but with OOT I really became aware of their skills as developers. They've created an engrossing game in OOT, that truly take you to another world.
In the few decennia afterwards, Nintendo has been 1-upped by other developers when it comes to world building. Notice that I say world building, not gameplay. Games like The Witcher 3, Fable, Skyrim, and countless others took the template of Zelda and expanded on it in various, gigantic ways. While gameplaywise Nintendo kept on top of their game, never since OOT (and Majora's Mask) were they the kings of creating vast, fantasy like worlds again. The competition was just too fierce.
That's the beauty of Breath of the Wild imo. It 1-ups the competition again and is, as far as I can judge from the five areas that I have visited, the most engrossing gameworld I have ever been in. It's like it is the gameworld I IMAGINED the Hyrule of Ocarina of Time was. In my head when I was still a kid the world of OOT was so vast and so endless, but playing it now its actually quite small. But Breath of the Wild actually IS that vast world that I always imaged.
Of course, games like Witcher 3, GTA 5 and Skyrim have vast worlds as well. But combined with masterful gameplay from the developers of Nintendo you really get something special. No mile in this game is wasted, each place and outskirt and nook and cranny is filled with stuff to, interesting stuff to find. Its such... a breath of fresh air after playing countless open world games the past five years where all you are doing is going from one blip on the map to another, collecting stuff on the way you don't really care about. I can't quite put into words yet why it is that I care about every thing I can collect in Zelda. Perhaps because everything you collect has its use, makes you stronger, more prepared for enemies or for faster traversal in this gameworld.
And you truly make your own adventures in this game. Sometimes Im following the story (that is, as far as I'm concerned, good enough), but more often than not I'm leaving the path in front of me to discover other stuff, other side missions, strange creatures or people in strange places. The dialoges are freakin' hilarious and filled with character, and the always silent Link has never been so cool by just staying silent and smirking and being sarcastic here and there.
The thing is, this Hyrule is such a living, breathing world with people and other creatures going about their business, and it feels so natural to just bump into a strange side mission or a secret somewhere in the landscape, but Nintendo has painstakingly placed it everywhere, they knew exactly what they were doing. Even though its a vast world, it feels incredibly handcrafted and not random at all.
A special mention about the graphics and character designs. I'm not big into anime or stuff like that but Breath of the Wild often feels like a mix between a studio Gibli-flick/Ni No Kuni and the usual Zelda style. Its very charming and a great mix between the cartoony look of Wind Waker and Skyward Sword and the more realistic looks of OOT and Twilight Princess.
Enough talk, I have to sleep now and work tomorrow, can't wait to go on another adventure tomorrow night. This game was worth it to buy a Switch for, no doubt.
Very cool way to open it! I won't spoil it but it was one of the most fun things I've done up until now
Will go in this tomorrow night! Exciting!
I have it, its very good, very detailed, only downside is that it doesn't show the locations of the 900 seeds, just tips on what to watch (flowers, stones, etc). Or maybe its in there and I havent found it yet. I only use the guide when I feel stuck for a long time in Shrines. After I completed the game I will use it to try and find everything. Its way more fun to discover stuff on your own in this game imo.
So, now I'm ready to offer my first impressions. Note that I'm a huge Zelda- and Nintendo-fan but that I'm not blind to the various problems of both the company and the franchise the past decade or so. Also note that I've played through the Great Plateau two times before, once on Wii U at E3 2016, once on Switch beginning this year during the Switch reveal.
What a fantastic game this is. Playing it at E3 truly doesnt prepare you for playing it at home, when there are no distractions and you can go on with it in your own speed, in your own way. I've played through the entire Plateau in I think 4 to 5 hours, discovering every nook and cranny and enjoying the way the game gives you freedom and still teaches you all the important gameplay facets during this starting area. Truly a masterful craftmanship on Nintendo's part.
I think I've played around 20 hours now since friday and I've opened up five area's with towers (the starting Plateau, the Hyrule Field in front of it, the two areas to the right with
Kakariko Village
mountain-like village
Zora's Domain
the King
divine beast
Even though its my job to express myself in words (although in Dutch language, but still), it's hard for me to really express why this Zelda-game is by far the best Zelda I have ever played. I grew up with the very first Zelda and especially Ocarina of Time, that I played on launch when I was... I think... 13 or 14... has made a lasting impact on me. Ocarina of Time was the game that truly blew me away and showed me how masterful Nintendo was in the making of games. Ive played Nintendo-games all my life but with OOT I really became aware of their skills as developers. They've created an engrossing game in OOT, that truly take you to another world.
In the few decennia afterwards, Nintendo has been 1-upped by other developers when it comes to world building. Notice that I say world building, not gameplay. Games like The Witcher 3, Fable, Skyrim, and countless others took the template of Zelda and expanded on it in various, gigantic ways. While gameplaywise Nintendo kept on top of their game, never since OOT (and Majora's Mask) were they the kings of creating vast, fantasy like worlds again. The competition was just too fierce.
That's the beauty of Breath of the Wild imo. It 1-ups the competition again and is, as far as I can judge from the five areas that I have visited, the most engrossing gameworld I have ever been in. It's like it is the gameworld I IMAGINED the Hyrule of Ocarina of Time was. In my head when I was still a kid the world of OOT was so vast and so endless, but playing it now its actually quite small. But Breath of the Wild actually IS that vast world that I always imaged.
Of course, games like Witcher 3, GTA 5 and Skyrim have vast worlds as well. But combined with masterful gameplay from the developers of Nintendo you really get something special. No mile in this game is wasted, each place and outskirt and nook and cranny is filled with stuff to, interesting stuff to find. Its such... a breath of fresh air after playing countless open world games the past five years where all you are doing is going from one blip on the map to another, collecting stuff on the way you don't really care about. I can't quite put into words yet why it is that I care about every thing I can collect in Zelda. Perhaps because everything you collect has its use, makes you stronger, more prepared for enemies or for faster traversal in this gameworld.
And you truly make your own adventures in this game. Sometimes Im following the story (that is, as far as I'm concerned, good enough), but more often than not I'm leaving the path in front of me to discover other stuff, other side missions, strange creatures or people in strange places. The dialoges are freakin' hilarious and filled with character, and the always silent Link has never been so cool by just staying silent and smirking and being sarcastic here and there.
The thing is, this Hyrule is such a living, breathing world with people and other creatures going about their business, and it feels so natural to just bump into a strange side mission or a secret somewhere in the landscape, but Nintendo has painstakingly placed it everywhere, they knew exactly what they were doing. Even though its a vast world, it feels incredibly handcrafted and not random at all.
A special mention about the graphics and character designs. I'm not big into anime or stuff like that but Breath of the Wild often feels like a mix between a studio Gibli-flick/Ni No Kuni and the usual Zelda style. Its very charming and a great mix between the cartoony look of Wind Waker and Skyward Sword and the more realistic looks of OOT and Twilight Princess.
Enough talk, I have to sleep now and work tomorrow, can't wait to go on another adventure tomorrow night. This game was worth it to buy a Switch for, no doubt.
Very cool way to open it! I won't spoil it but it was one of the most fun things I've done up until now
Will go in this tomorrow night! Exciting!
I have it, its very good, very detailed, only downside is that it doesn't show the locations of the 900 seeds, just tips on what to watch (flowers, stones, etc). Or maybe its in there and I havent found it yet. I only use the guide when I feel stuck for a long time in Shrines. After I completed the game I will use it to try and find everything. Its way more fun to discover stuff on your own in this game imo.
Deckard Chapel
Banned
Outfits question:
Is there any other way to get
Is there any other way to get
the other Hero's Tunic's in the game without using amiibos?
I felt so dumb and intense when I did it, xD
MindCollizion
Member
Kinda early-game question: I beat the
Bomb Shrine and I'm wondering: Is there more to the ball that keeps being pushed back and forth? I didn't find anywhere to place it.
Domcorleone
Member
Anyone struggling with the controls using the joycons? Is the game easier to control with the pro?
victreeb3l
Member
I love running in a totally random direction and then happening upon NPCs in the middle of nowhere.
One night I was admiring the moon when I noticed a few bokoblins attacking some travelers. I watched them from a distance and when I saw they were getting their butts whooped, I made my presence known.
Stuff like this makes me feel like a hero. Sometimes more so than doing grand things like saving the world.
One night I was admiring the moon when I noticed a few bokoblins attacking some travelers. I watched them from a distance and when I saw they were getting their butts whooped, I made my presence known.
Stuff like this makes me feel like a hero. Sometimes more so than doing grand things like saving the world.
It's just there to show you that you can use those moving pillars to send your bombs flying.
I've had no issues playing with the joycons.
darkjedi187
Member
It kills me that the weapons break. I have completely abandoned the main story and started exploring. I've found some amazing weapons in shrines and after they break it's hard to go back to a wooden club.
I'm with you. But it was worth. I just hoped for a more comfy interior. Just a bed is lame. Maybe there is more to come later.
mrmickfran
Member
They did a really good job with the lightning in this game.
It legitimately scares the shit out of me, every single time.
It legitimately scares the shit out of me, every single time.
Mike Double U
Banned
SciencePilot
Member
Woo just got this game! Some very quick impressions:
- The game is really beautiful. What an upgrade from my 3DS lol
- It's been a long time since I played a game with controls this complex... if ever. Going to take some getting used to. I'm only an hour in and I find the controls pretty finicky, but I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually.
- Game seems very different from other Zelda games (and JRPGs in general) right off the bat. Even just the fact that you don't start in some peaceful town with wacky townsfolk makes a big difference. The game feels a lot more serious in general.
Not Spaceghost
Spaceghost
I wish that I didn't have to go to a great fairy fountain every time I wanted to check what items I need to upgrade my gear.
Moz La Punk
Member
Yup! You can also use hammers I thing but it will destroy your weapons. I just bombs as well!
Vastly prefer using the Pro Controller. Tried JoyCons today for the first time and it felt okay, but then I got the left Joy Con problem... fix that shit Nintendo! Back to Pro it is.
Thunder killed me twice already >.>
Moz La Punk
Member
I think its a bit bugged. I got one at midnight but when the cinematic was over it was suddenly daytime lol.
victreeb3l
Member
Zora's Domain
I'm guessing the other dungeons have the "pre-dungeon" segments as well as the dungeon itself? Because the one for this was awesome. Very epic and cinematic. I wasted so many arrows and health until I realized I could just
use cryonis to just break the ice blocks
Deer too.
dglavimans
Member
This game is huge! Feels im barely in it and have already spent many hours... Incredible
Moz La Punk
Member
Btw, found a fast way to get onto deers:
Choose one that stands next to a cliff then jump off the cliff and sail to them. Youll surprise them and itll be easy to mount them.
victreeb3l
Member
Radical Edward
Member
Controls don't seem optimized, tbh. Definitely could use some improvement.
Okay, trying to avoid spoilers, but I just got
(and then did a bit of wandering the area afterwards). And I've gotta ask... should I be considering those
the main thrust at the moment? Because otherwise, seems to be the first time the game has left me to more or less wander without a "this is the right way to go" specific thing. (In theory one of the side-quests gave me a rough hint towards where one is, but the map is just so vast that this whole event/quest thing is kind of overwhelming).
So do I need to focus on hunting those down, or is it totally cool if I just keep wandering as I've been doing?
the camera
pictures tied to your memories or whatever
So do I need to focus on hunting those down, or is it totally cool if I just keep wandering as I've been doing?
You could just stick to meals that give you temporary hearts.
Combat is relatively easy vs traversal in this game. Stamina is more useful and provides a more tangible benefit.
See I read that most people here felt stamina was important but honestly, as someone who hasn't really touched the main quests and has just been exploring, I have yet to find anything that requires more than 1 or 2 extra stamina bars; especially considering that you have items that refill stamina if you need it. Conversely, the number of enemies that can one shot you throughout a number of areas makes health essential. Thus Ive converted back to hearts rather than stamina.
See I just disagree with this. You'll always have the opportunity to use an item to regain stamina. You wont even be able to pause and go into inventory if you get one shot.
SonicAaron
Member
Did everyone go straight to the Zora area beast after Hetana village and the science lab or did you stay in that zone and do all the shrines?
Wondering should I do all the shrines in both the kakiriko and Hetana area before going to Zora.
Wondering should I do all the shrines in both the kakiriko and Hetana area before going to Zora.
MehUnfortunately no.
I have no idea how long I have been playing. Lost track of time lolI am riding a bear.
Second option, imo
I'm still in Hatena Village but I plan on fully exploring this province before moving on to another.
Mike Double U
Banned
Just when I thought this game couldn't get anymore gorgeous I stumble upon the Lanayru Wetlands...
It's been pretty easy to avoid attacks so far, and if I do die in combat the quick saves only set me back a minute or two. I'd rather be able to more quickly get around the world.
The perfect Dark
Banned
Is the
Zora Domain
One of my favorite moments so far is finding the Zora Hat.
My other favorite moment was noticing that Impa's granddaughter is shy and removing my tunic before talking to her. I-i-improper!
Read one of the Zora history memorials, noticed that it mentioned something lying in the ruins of some lake with a name you couldn't read since the text was withered. Brought out my map, noticed that one of the nearby lakes had some structures in it and found it right there. No entry was added to the journal as a side quest, it was just a thing among so many that you might or might not pick up on when playing.
It's like playing some early 90's game from before ingame journals became common.
It's like playing some early 90's game from before ingame journals became common.
My other favorite moment was noticing that Impa's granddaughter is shy and removing my tunic before talking to her. I-i-improper!
PancakeBurglar
Member
Yep, I understand if people are disappointed if the levels are short but the level design for dungeons and shrines are excellent. I've only encountered a couple of shrines I would consider mediocre. Everything else has been great.
Not Spaceghost
Spaceghost
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