a90skid.com
  • Shop
  • Reviews
  • Shop
  • Reviews
0
A 90s Kid
  • Shop
  • Reviews

I haven’t loved a Zelda since Ocarina, but I’ve got high hopes for Breath of the Wild. 

Although Zelda II: The Adventure of Link was technically my first of the franchise, Ocarina of Time was the first time I fell in love with the series. The oddball second NES game was too difficult for my feeble young mind, but Ocarina came around when I was 14 and ready to dive into its version of Hyrule headfirst.

The open world hub felt massive, the fishing immersive, and the quest for the Master Sword was a memorable evening indeed.

Since then however, I’ve bounced off of each Zelda fairly quick. I assumed I grew out of it, but had always hoped I’d feel the love one more time. Breath of the Wild appears to be shaking up the formula enough to warrant another look.

Here’s what I hope Breath of the Wild gets right.

Fill that world

We’ve heard Breath of the Wild and many other games claim how big their open worlds are, but size is meaningless without engaging content. Wind Waker and Skyward Sword had large maps as well but the majority of the explorable areas were devoid of anything worth doing.

Wind Waker’s fetch quests were mercifully shortened in the HD remake, but still exist as an example of what not to do. Three triforce pieces are a great goal. Please don’t subdivide it into a dozen more errands.

Fast-paced combat

When I went back to the first Zelda, I was shocked at the demanding combat. Link had to nimbly avoid a bullet hell of danger as enemies and projectiles flooded the screen. I understand why Nintendo slowed the pace for the first 3D iteration, to ease gamers into a new way of playing. In 2017 however, 3D gaming has been the norm for 20 years and I’d love to see a return to frantic combat. If you’re rolling your eyes because the last three Zeldas have provided this, please inform me in the comments and I’ll give them another go.

Quick Start

The first Zelda dropped you in a world with zero guidance. If you went the wrong way and missed the sword you were screwed. Again, Ocarina made a change to this formula to assist gamers controlling Link in 3D for the first time. There’s a tutorial for most of his basic moves but you can still be in the first dungeon in less than fifteen minutes.

Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword have bloated introductions that made their openings a chore to play. Extended story scenes and mundane errands around a village are elements I don’t want to see in BoTW. 

Worth Waiting For

This is the first Zelda I’ve been excited for since Wind Waker. I’m glad to see Nintendo try something new with the franchise and I believe they’re conscious of making a new first impression. They walk a tightrope of meeting fan expectations while keeping the series fresh. If Nintendo can make this open world feel like more than an errand list, they stand a good chance of winning this old fan back, and a few new ones to boot.

 

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Breath of the Wild
  • games
  • gaming
  • Switch
  • Wii U
  • Zelda
Mathew Falvai

Mathew is a huge fan of Space, Strategy, and Shadowrun (Genesis version is #1). When it comes to games and films, he’d much rather experience a 10/10 classic from yesteryear than a 6/10 modern blandfest. He does feel we’re living in a gaming golden age with the power of indie developers at an all-time high, but wishes AAA publishers would take more risks. Mat believes it’s only a matter of time before the pendulum swings the other way and new ideas take their rightful place above reboots.

You May Also Like
AGDQ 2022 Logo
View Post
  • 3 min
  • AGDQ 2023
  • News
  • Nintendo
  • PC
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox

The AGDQ 2023 Schedule is Full of Speedruns to Watch

  • Matthew Owen
  • January 5, 2023
Return to Monkey Island Title Card
View Post
  • 4 min
  • News
  • Nintendo
  • PC
  • PlayStation
  • Review
  • Xbox

Return to Monkey Island Review – A Pirate’s Life for Me

  • Matthew Owen
  • December 10, 2022
The four teenage mutant ninja turtles
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Nintendo
  • Opinion
  • PC
  • PlayStation
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Review
  • Xbox
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X

TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection Review – Pizza Time

  • Matthew Owen
  • September 16, 2022
Hogwarts Legacy Castle Overview
View Post
  • 5 min
  • News
  • Nintendo
  • Opinion
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox

The Top 5 Best Harry Potter Games of All Time

  • Matthew Owen
  • August 18, 2022
Grand Theft Auto Box Art Girls
View Post
  • 7 min
  • Nintendo
  • Opinion
  • PC
  • PlayStation
  • Review
  • Xbox

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition Review

  • Matthew Owen
  • December 12, 2021
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Monkeys
View Post
  • 6 min
  • Nintendo
  • PC
  • PlayStation 4
  • Review
  • Xbox One

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Review – A Barrel of Fun

  • Matthew Owen
  • November 2, 2021
Nintendo Direct E3 2021
View Post
  • 4 min
  • E3
  • Nintendo

Everything You Need to Know from the Nintendo E3 2021 Direct

  • Matthew Owen
  • June 16, 2021
The main character recieves his camera in New Pokemon Snap
View Post
  • 7 min
  • Nintendo
  • Review

New Pokemon Snap Review – A Breezy Island Adventure

  • Matthew Owen
  • May 14, 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

A90KID.COM

VIDEO GAMES COMMUNITY & ENTERTAINMENT

A 90s Kid is an active website and media channel, dedicated to providing you information and entertainment related to the video games industry

Navigation
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund and Returns Policy
Recent Articles
  • How competitiveness drives gamers to be better January 27, 2023
  • Gaming gadgets make a difference for some January 27, 2023
  • How gamers benefit in various ways from playing video games January 27, 2023
  • Nothing Screams Interactive Distraction Like Video Games January 27, 2023
  • Why Finding the Right Video Games To Play Is Not Difficult January 27, 2023
A 90s Kid
© 2022

Input your search keywords and press Enter.