The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Overview

Release and Popularity

• Released in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch
• Anticipated by fans since 2011's Skyward Sword
• Enjoyed by both fans and newcomers

Personal Experience

• User got a Nintendo Switch Lite in 2020
• Borrowed the game recently from a sibling

Spoiler Alert

• Option to avoid spoilers
• Story not deeply woven into gameplay, focuses on exploration

World of Hyrule

• Large open-world map, possibly largest in a first-party Nintendo game
• Divided into uniquely landscaped areas with different climates and societies

Areas and Climates

• Grassy starting area
• Death Mountain: Hard, hotter areas
• Hebra: Extremely cold
• Eldin: Extremely hot
• Gerudo Desert: Both hot and cold
• Central Hyrule: Full of Guardians

Inhabitants

• Humans, Zora, Rito, Gorons, Gerudo
• Four main groups
• Gerudo: Female-only tribe

Chiefs and Champions

• Chief greets visitors, often older or younger
• Younger Champions team up with player to control Divine Beasts
• Example: Yobo overcomes flaws to help against Vah Rudania

Story Elements

• Not deeply plot-driven, more focus on exploration and memories
• Main characters: Link, Zelda, King Rhoam, etc.
• Link is chosen knight for Princess Zelda
• Four Champions chosen to pilot Divine Beasts
  • Revali (Rito), Urbosa (Gerudo), Mipha (Zora), Daruk (Goron)

Gameplay

• Open-world with beautiful graphics
• Variety of traversal methods: running, climbing, horseback
• Stamina system depletes quickly but can be upgraded
• Shrines act as main puzzle areas

Combat and Items

• Weapons have durability and can break
• Runes: set of Sheikah abilities (bombs, magnet, stopping motion, ice block)

Post Game

• No real post-game; load back to last save after defeating Calamity Ganon
• Encourages exploration before final battle

Conclusion

• Breath of the Wild is a must-play game
• Play for the story or the experience

Comparisons

• Pokémon Legends Arceus graphics seen as inferior
• Breath of the Wild's art style praised

Ending Note

• User still hasn't played the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom