The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has become the fourth highest-selling game on the Nintendo Switch, and for a good reason. The title’s groundbreaking gameplay mechanics and world design make it a must-play for every Switch owner.
As BOTW’s sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, is on the horizon, it is a perfect time to revisit the original game and see what it did right. From the sandbox-style design to the visuals and music, let’s recollect everything about Zelda: Breath of the Wild that makes it an unforgettable experience to this day.
Open-world sandbox gameplay
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild popularized itself as an open-world title with sandbox-style gameplay that truly allows players to play as they like. The game’s world, the kingdom of Hyrule, encourages players to discover their own playstyle instead of forcing them to play the game in a specific, vanilla way. BOTW is the first true open-world Zelda game compared to its predecessors, giving players a vast and varied kingdom to explore.
It features memorable locations, such as the Temple of Time, the beaches of Necluda Sea, the Korok Forest, and Satori Mountain, with plenty of secrets to uncover. The game’s mechanics have evolved since its release in 2017, and the community has embraced the freedom of choice that it provides. Many players have reinvented ways to experience the game, from traversing in style to speedrunning it.
Visual style
The visual design of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is both unique and soothing, with its partly cel-shaded graphics giving it a distinct look compared to other titles. The game’s visuals are a perfect complement to the world of Hyrule, which features a variety of unique locations, each with its own charm and appeal.
The Temple of Time, the Beaches of Necluda Sea, the Vast Korok Forest, Satori Mountain, and many other areas are rendered beautifully, immersing players in the game’s world. The game’s visual style is almost meditative, keeping players engaged for hours without tiring them with poor UI design or overwhelming graphics. The calming, painting-like visuals of Breath of the Wild are one of its most remarkable features.
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Sound and music
One of Nintendo’s biggest strengths is its ability to create memorable music for its games, and Breath of the Wild is no exception. The game’s theme is refreshing, calming, and perfectly on-point, taking cues from older Zelda titles while also adding new flavors.
The soundtrack is carefully composed to enhance the player’s experience and bring the game’s world to life, from tranquil melodies in the peaceful moments to the intense battle themes during combat. Interestingly, many tracks in the game have hidden meanings. For example, players can speed up the exploration theme in-game, Hyrule Fields, to discover that it contains the iconic track, Zelda’s Lullaby. The music in Breath of the Wild perfectly complements the game’s visuals, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience.
The game’s legacy
Breath of the Wild is a sandbox game that has majorly impacted the ever-evolving gaming industry. Since its release in 2017, the game inspired countless other titles, including Super Mario Odyssey, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and Genshin Impact.
However, Breath of the Wild still stands above the rest due to its unique gameplay mechanics, such as cooking, free-climbing, and a variety of other sandbox features. The game’s success is also a big reason why players are eagerly awaiting its follow-up, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, set to release on May 12, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch. It’s safe to say that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s indelible mark on the gaming world will continue to grow for years.
