The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review

Perched upon a cliff looking down on a Boboklin camp, I see my treasure. A silver chest basking in Hyrule’s midday sun, guarded by three creatures born from the hue of evil energy that swirls around Hyrule Castle in my peripheral vision. Watching from above, after climbing to the top of the cliff, I started to wonder how I should approach to claim my prize. With just one heart left and no food to help me recover, I had a decision to make.

I could wait until night when the Boboklins would be dreaming and sneak my way through with minimal engagement, or I could start peppering them with arrows from high above before paragliding down to slice my way through.

Instead, I picked up a bomb and started rolling it down the hill to the unsuspecting creatures. My bombs aren’t the most powerful, but they managed to send the Boboklins flying in a hilarious fashion. The explosion made it hard to see where they landed and, after the dust settled, only two remained. The next bomb I threw landed at the feet of one Boboklin, who kicked it just as I was about to detonate it. The bomb hurtled toward his compatriot, who received the full force of the blast, sending him flying out of the picture—literally.

As the kicker turned around, I took out my bow and planted one final arrow between the last remaining Boboklin’s eyes, leaving the area clear for me to collect my treasure.

It was at this moment, as I put my bow down, that I heard footsteps behind me. I was hit with a force that sent me flying off the cliff and to my death. As my lifeless body tumbled through the air, I panned the camera to see who had finally ended my journey.

It was a ram.

A World of Endless Possibilities

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is chock full of unscripted moments and opportunities to bend the world and gameplay mechanics to your will, creating situations that are impossible in almost any other game. It takes common sense and runs with it. In real life, wood burns—it’s as obvious as water being wet—but most games never take advantage of this. Breath of the Wild, however, embeds the physics of reality within its game world.

If I need something to burn, I can use a wooden weapon to carry fire. If I need to create fire, I can throw flint on the ground and strike it with my blade to spark it up. However, if you do this on grass, be prepared to burn the ground that you stand on. Breath of the Wild’s world doesn’t adapt to how you play; its rules are established right from the start and challenge you to not just learn them but to bend them to your will.

Most of the usual Zelda tropes have been discarded in favor of modern mechanics and tweaks to the old formula. The stamina meter and hearts for health return from previous games, but both are adjusted to accommodate Breath of the Wild’s open-world format.

You can climb almost everything in Breath of the Wild. From the smallest grassy hills to the tallest mountains, nothing is off-limits as long as you’ve got the stamina for it. As you sprint, climb, or glide using the handy paraglider, your stamina meter depletes. Let it run out, and Link becomes exhausted, losing his grip. This mechanic forces players to think logically about not just where to venture next but also how. It creates puzzles within the environment when there aren’t any and often left me calculating the best way to scale a rock face while scouting for resting spots or vantage points to reassess my route.

Cooking, Not Cutting Grass

Gone is the classic Zelda method of cutting grass for rupees and hearts, replaced by a cooking system. Players must collect fruit, vegetables, and meat from the world to craft meals and elixirs. Cooking not only replenishes health but also provides buffs, such as resistance to extreme temperatures or electrical attacks. This creates a world where nothing feels useless, and every item you pick up has value.

Before heading out on a grand adventure, I often spent tens of minutes experimenting with recipes, crafting dishes to prepare for whatever lay ahead. And what a world it is.

Hyrule: The True Star

Breath of the Wild’s version of Hyrule is massive, and it’s far and away the star of the show. After leaving the Great Plateau—a small tutorial area—you’re free to explore the land in any way you see fit. Any place you can see is within your reach. Individual trees can be climbed, deserts traversed, and snowy mountains overcome. The only limits are your resourcefulness and sense of direction.

You’ll often climb towers to unlock portions of the map. However, doing so doesn’t flood your screen with icons. Instead, you’re tasked with scouting from these high vantage points to mark points of interest yourself, such as shrines, stables, or enemy camps. This approach gives you the freedom to prioritize your adventures rather than feeling overwhelmed by a pre-determined checklist.

Everywhere you go, you’ll find distractions—enemies, treasure, puzzles, and oddities that beg investigation. The world constantly pulls you off your intended path. For example, I once set out to climb an iconic mountain in the north but got sidetracked for 15 in-game hours, exploring its base and chasing intriguing NPCs.

Hyrule’s world is charming yet menacing, peaceful yet deadly, and always magical. It’s Breath of the Wild’s best character.

Weapons, Durability, and Strategy

As expected, Breath of the Wild features a multitude of weapons. However, every weapon you pick up will eventually break, forcing you to adapt. While initially concerning, this durability system encourages experimentation and strategic resource management.

High-level weapons are best saved for tougher foes, while weaker ones suffice for everyday battles. This mechanic also keeps combat fresh, as you’re constantly switching weapons and occasionally throwing them for a bonus damage boost.

Importantly, the game never leaves you stranded. Enemies frequently drop weapons, and the environment often provides creative solutions to combat scenarios. This system ensures that every encounter feels dynamic and engaging.

A New Era for Zelda

Breath of the Wild is accessible to newcomers while offering surprises for seasoned fans. It deviates from the traditional Zelda formula, trading large dungeons for over 100 shrines—bite-sized challenges that test your wits without overstaying their welcome. The few larger dungeons feel more like intricate quests than traditional labyrinths, blending puzzles and combat seamlessly.

While the game occasionally suffers from frame rate drops, particularly in dense areas, these moments are rare and do little to detract from the overall experience. Playing in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch minimizes these issues, providing the smoothest performance.

Conclusion

Even after 30 hours of gameplay, I find myself drawn back to Hyrule’s enchanting world. While I could march straight to Hyrule Castle to confront Ganon, the allure of uncovering new secrets, meeting characters, and taking on quests keeps me exploring.

Breath of the Wild is more than a game; it’s a testament to Nintendo’s creativity and ingenuity. It blends magic, love, and exuberance into every pixel, crafting an experience that will be cherished for years to come.

Two Final Thoughts

As I traversed Hyrule’s vast lands, I realized the game’s brilliance lies in its ability to make every moment feel personal. From narrowly escaping a Lynel’s wrath to crafting the perfect elixir for an icy climb, Breath of the Wild makes you feel like the hero of your own epic story. Few games offer this level of immersion.

Finally, the game’s open-ended nature means that no two playthroughs will ever feel the same. Each player’s journey is shaped by their choices, creating endless opportunities for discovery and adventure. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild isn’t just a game—it’s a masterpiece.

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