3. Reactive Enemies
In Link’s previous outings, once you discovered the attack pattern of an enemy it became a reflex to dispatch them with one or two hits, their every move easily predicted; not so with the combat we have seen in Breath of the Wild. While enemies will of course reacted in certain ways, they are able to adapt to the situation at hand: chasing boars, cooking food, sleeping, picking up their fallen allies weapons, setting weapons on fire, circling around you, and many other reactions to their environment that we have yet to see. While there is much more for us to see the enemy do in terms of being a sentient, living creature, they still simultaneously reflect their primitive or animalistic nature. It’s an improvement we didn’t know we wanted as it breaths more life into the populous we find spread throughout Hyrule.
2. Post-Apocalypse Hyrule
Hyrule has seen its fair share of devastation at the hands of Ganon. It isn’t exactly new for Hyrule to be plunged into chaotic darkness halfway through the game as Link bravely travels between the worlds of darkness and light to rid Hyrule of evil, but what about when Link missed his chance? When the various cataclysms of previous games struck it was a fresh wound to the world and Link was able to save the day, but in Breath of the Wild Link has been sleeping for a very long time and it’s clear that whatever terrible apocalyptic event happened, he missed it. It is a familiar idea, but just different enough for us to see the subtle differences in how that time frame has shaped the game. We have only seen a quick peek at the destruction done to the Temple of Time, but what else will we find as we explore Hyrule? Something about the kingdom being broken, quiet, and covered in moss really adds to the depth of isolation and loss this game instills.
1. The World I Know
Hyrule is big. Like, very big. While Nintendo has yet to release an official measurement, the common estimate puts Breath of the Wild at 140sq miles. For comparison, Skyrim is 14sq miles and the Witcher 3’s Novigrad and Skellige make up 52sq miles. This is a seriously, seriously huge game. As a fan of open world and adventure games, the thought of how big this world is makes me nearly hyperventilate with glee. This is an unprecedentedly large game, with every nook and cranny worth exploring. Even greater still, by the time you leave the Great Plateau you will be equipped with all of the basics to set out in the world and do anything you please in any order. This is the ultimate dream of the intrepid explorer and the mind bursts with the potential for the other 99% of the game we have yet to glimpse. But how do you get around in such a massive world? Link is now able to climb virtually any surface for as long as his stamina will hold out, he can surf on his shield down hills and off small cliffs, and let’s not forget the ever handy glider used to leave the Plateau in the first place. It’s hard to imagine these will be the only means for getting around in Hyrule besides the horse (what is a Zelda game without the hookshot?) and considering the amazing improvements Nintendo has brought to this title it’s hard not to believe there will be even more in store for exploring this unbelievable world.
That is our list of the top 9 features of Breath of the Wild we are ridiculously excited for, what about you? What about the game are you dying to check out? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and in the Comments section below!