It's fair to say that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ranks as one of the finest video games of recent times, and is arguably the best title in the franchise so far. It has been showered with positive reviews and has contributed massively to the success of the Nintendo Switch launch; this is clearly a game which fans will be talking about, picking over and replaying for many years to come. It also presents something of a quandary for veteran Zelda fans, because it deviates so dramatically from the core template of the series that it's genuinely hard to see Nintendo ever returning to a "traditional" Zelda adventure.
Playing The Legend of Zelda and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past today, it's amazing how closely subsequent games have adhered to the same basic formula (Zelda 2 was an early anomaly which has never really been repeated). The dungeons, gear-gating and overworld elements have remained largely unchanged throughout the years, with only A Link Between Worlds daring to tinker with this setup; the way you acquired key items in that particular game was overhauled, yet almost everything else stuck to tradition.
When Breath of the Wild was first announced and Nintendo made bold claims regarding the size and scope of the adventure, I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical. I love Zelda games, but even with their emphasis on exploration, it often feels like you're being funnelled down a set path to push things forward - the sense of freedom is ultimately an illusion, albeit a convincing one. I assumed that behind the hyperbole, Breath of the Wild would be the same - until I got the chance to sit down and play it. As we all know now, this isn't the traditional Zelda game we've come to know and love over the past few decades; this expanded version of Hyrule is absolutely enormous and comes packed with so many secrets it's alarmingly easy to totally ignore the main quest and simply dash around acquiring gear, cooking up killer dishes and taking part in over 100 Shrine quests. Weapons shatter, the temperature changes constantly, weather has an impact on your movement and environmental elements - such as boulders and explosive barrels - can be used to trigger destructive chain-reactions which wipe out entire groups of enemies. Emergent gameplay - such as Cuccos attacking monsters and large beasts accidentally taking one another out - add to the spectacle, and consequently make this feel very different from the Zeldas of the past.
What's not included in Breath of the Wild is equally striking, especially for those who have followed this renowned series from day one. Core quest items such as the Hookshot, Iron Boots and Power Glove are totally absent, removing the famous gear-gating system on which almost every other Zelda game has relied upon to create a multi-layered challenge. Your powers are now confined to runes, but you receive all of these very early on in your adventure. That basically means that you can tackle things in any order; there's no longer a set pattern through the game which is dictated by what gear you currently have access to. The game's monstrous Divine Beasts - the closest thing Breath of the Wild has to old-fashioned Zelda dungeons - can be tackled in any order, and it's even possible to march right into Hyrule Castle at the start of the game and take on Calamity Ganon - although it's inadvisable, as you'll get utterly destroyed. When you consider the rather annoying hand-holding that took place during The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, it's amazing how much freedom you're afforded here; not just to play the game how you want to, but also the freedom to fail. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen the "Game Over" screen, but judicious use of auto-saves means it's less of an annoyance than before. You learn from your mistakes and try something different; another amazing thing about the game is how there's often more than one way to solve a Shrine puzzle, or take on a particular enemy.
If you're currently playing and enjoying Breath of the Wild on your Switch or Wii U then I don't need to sell you on the many, many reasons why this game is a masterpiece, but ask yourself this: would you be happy if for the next Zelda adventure, Nintendo set aside the mechanics introduced in Breath of the Wild and went back to basics, bringing back traditional dungeons, a more linear quest, gear-gated gameplay and a smaller, more compact gameworld?
It might seem like an odd thing to ponder, but given how incredibly different Breath of the Wild is to pretty much every other Zelda game before it, it's a valid question; if Nintendo chooses to build on this latest outing, we could potentially see future instalments which are even more disconnected from the "classic" formula - not that that would necessarily be a bad thing, of course. Every franchise has to evolve in order to remain relevant, and some would argue that Zelda has taken longer than most to bring itself into the modern era. Whatever route Nintendo chooses to take with this, it's most influential franchise, the results should be interesting. With its gigantic overworld, plethora of items and refreshing insistence on giving the player as much agency as possible, Breath of the Wild surely ranks as one of the most dramatic reimaginations any Nintendo series has seen - and where it goes from here will be utterly fascinating to watch.
Comments 180
I was thinking about this recently. I really hope that the traditional 3D Zelda isn't completely replaced by the open world. They're different enough to exist together.
But there's a lot on their plates as it is... 2D Zelda, 3D Zelda, and now Open World? Can't see them all getting regular entries.
If they were to do another open world game, would they re-design Hyrule? Would it be set in Termina (yes please)? I hope they don't re-use the same map.
I fully understand why this was a Zelda franchise title (Switch definitely needed it for launch) and I might even say I enjoyed it more because it was Zelda themed. Still, I can't help but think this would have been the perfect spot to start a new IP - or at the very list, a Zelda spinoff series.
I for one do not want to see traditional Zelda go away. I adored Breath of the Wild, and I will want a follow up for sure, but I also loved Link Between Worlds (I'm partial to the top down Zelda's) and will definitely want a traditional Zelda follow up, be it 2D or 3D.
Spoiling the game one image at a time.
After The Bold Brilliance Of Breath Of The Wild, Where Can Any Open World Game Go Next? Really, this is the biggest turning point since Witcher 3.
I don't know where the saga is going as a whole, after BotW. But I give 2 cents that the next Zelda for Switch will be 2D with Toon Link.
I will always prefer the old "Zelda formula", but BotW was pretty good. My only real irk was the poor story. I never felt engaged with anything that happened, nor did I care for any of the side characters (except maybe Kass or Sidon). I also expected more from Zelda after seeing the trailers.
I don't necessarily think Nintendo should make the open-world approach the new standard, but I think this is a fantastic opportunity to experiment with the series. What I don't want is for them to go back to Ocarina of Time as the standard for what a Zelda game should be.
I think an ambitious, HD 2D Zelda would be really interesting.
This is Aounuma we are talking about. For every good zelda game he makes, its followed up by a bad or mediocre one.
Heck I bet that he is angry that this zelda is succesful not thanks to him but despite him. Next zelda will return to the anime-drama-otaku stories and to the graphical novel setup of his other "Mastetpieces". I bet that even his Hello Kitty Link we'll be back even if the mainstream gamers reject it over and over again.
This game, BoW has done many great things but also many of his classic aounumanisms like the oversaturation of puzzles and bloated pacing. Why he would change that? He is a terrible game designer whose mediocricies has never saved Zelda. BoW is an anomaly that won't repeat again.
"Will we ever see another traditional Zelda outing?"
I hope not. BotW is near perfect. Just improve upon this with an evolutionary sequel for the New Switch Pro XL.
I'd like to see a direct follow up with this engine so that we don't have to wait 5 years (Like Majora's). For the next step in the series, I'll leave it up to Nintendo. BOTW was a home run.
Not sure where the series will go from here, but Nintendo set the bar high for themselves with Breath of the Wild. I would welcome a traditional game again but at the same time, I hope they stick to open world. I'm 106 hours in with all main quests and shrines cleared, yet I still wanna keep playing. It's just that good.
I personally couldn't/wouldnt go back now, botw can just be added to with more dlc and give us a few 2d dungeon spinoff games and every1s happy
What I hope nintendo will do is doing traditional zelda games like spirit tracks, zelda and all the other top down games but with a lower budget made by other companies on a more once per few years base and do zelda games like breath of the wild once or maybe twice per console cycle.
I would love it to see another minish cap or phantom hourglass but I would also love more 3D zelda games, both traditional and breath of the wild alike.
I hope it stays open world. I liked the other Zelda games, but nowhere near as much as this one. I thought to myself when playing Twilight Princess and Wind Waker that I would enjoy them a lot more if the worlds were bigger and had more side activities to do and whatnot, and then years later, I find out about Breath of the Wild. It's everything I'd ever wanted in a Zelda game. It isn't perfect, but it's really, really, really good.
I was thinking about this with Sun & Moon, too. I mean, will we ever see traditional Gym Leaders ever again? Though given BotW's stark departure from the classic Zelda formula, this is obviously a question of a whole bigger caliber. I do think, however, that the classic Top Down Zeldas such as NES Zelda, ALttP or ALBW do still have a future alongside 3D Zeldas that will (probably) follow more closely to the BotW style. Some spin-offs like Hyrule Warriors or TriForce Heroes would be nice to see on a more regular base as well.
I think we will get a top down zelda next, and I would personally love for a sprite artstyle to return. I feel Nintendo relies too much on 3D models in 2d games. Looked fantastic in 2006 with New Super Mario Bros... but now I think a return (even if temporary) to the animated style of old is well overdue - an artstyle in my opinion makes a game memorable as much as the gameplay!
In terms of the 'mainline' zelda games, I.e the 3D ones, I would love a tighter, smaller more concentrated adventure, akin to Majoras mask. Essentially, rather than try to out do such an amazing game as breath of the wild by making it more open world with more shrines and even more (god help us) korok seeds, make a tight game focussed on all of the characters of your world, where every single person has a point and isn't just filling the background.
@Meuz that's what I was thinking!
I love the new game. Hopefully the DLC has a proper dungeon!
The open world was nice, but not essential for success. As long as they keep the physics, I'll be happy. I will NEVER go back to the old physics engines.
Yes obviously we will never get another Zelda that isn't an open world.
I mean, it's like after Ocarina of Time. We never ever got another top down Zelda game after that.
Right?
Improve on the premise of BotW. They don't need to try to reinvent Zelda again or anything.
For the next main zelda game I think they'll go with a balance half way between traditional zelda and BOTW. Maybe a slightly smaller world but with more to do. Or rather I should say more traditional zelda components. I was a bit disappointed by 4x 15 minute "dungeons" and that was it. They had some excellent puzzles in those 4 but it didn't feel enough given the size/time put into the game. The lack of some well known accessories too. Hookshot, boots, underwater tunics/swimming, etc
The big thing we can look forward to though, if the Switch does get it's own dedicated mainline zelda, it won't be held back by the failure that was the last gen console.
I just hope they stick to the old formula or maybe keep the open world idea and bring back traditional dungeons and gear. Botw is good but far from perfect- story was weak(probably the worst in the series), bosses looked all the same, no dungeons as we knew them and the weapon system sucked hard... That said I dont agree with the rave reviews and Id like my Zelda to rely more on story and puzzles than walking around aimlessly...
I want the Breath of Wild 8 bit Zelda they have shown off. Perhaps Zelda maker is on its way to the Switch.
Maybe the next game will do to BotW what LttP did to LoZ i.e Darkworld, more items and more dungeons.
I was wondering this to myself as well, while playing. I also had similar thoughts while playing Pokemon Sun.
CAN they go back to the old way of 3D Zelda after this? Can 2D/Top Down Zelda, traditional 3D Zelda and Open World/BOTW Style Zelda all exist together? I really like the traditional 3D Zeldas and the focus that they have, but I also like this new style. We'll have to wait and see.
I'd guess we'll see something in the Toon Link style next and a tad more traditional. I'm sure we'll see an open world Legend of Zelda again but I think there'll be a break before it.
Nintendo don't make games for making games sake. The next Zelda will be designed lovingly around a concept born from inspiration usually from something removed from the gaming industry. The next Zelda game will add something different to the franchise...and that is why Nintendo can show one game at E3 and everyone go nuts, because no one here knows what that is!
Loving Breath of the Wild but I'll be content with whichever way the next Zelda goes. My favorite is either Link to the Past or Wind Waker so...
I still say that BotW is just Zelda that finally has tech to make it the way Miyamoto envisioned and how he taught Aonuma to design. The game isn't novel in a "wow this is new" fashion, but in a "Whoa, so this was what you were trying to do all along? That's deep" sort of fashion.
That being said, aside from how the dungeons are done and the item system, this is a traditional zelda. And the item system seems to have gotten its start in LBW with the idea of not making a single item the theme of the dungeons and instead allowing you to just explore and use your wits as you see fit. The exploration is the same; you could explore every nook and cranny of old Zeldas...just not vertically. The weapons system imo merely forces you to use the combat wisely instead of the way it was handed to you before (combat has never been Zelda's strong point) and quite frankly if you fight wisely you will leave behind more weapons than you break. Even the costume ideas aren't new; Majora's mask ran all over that years ago.
The thing i love the most is that this feels like a living breathing world, there are animals everywhere, and they react to you, people are wandering around trying to forge a new life, relics of a time long past are a persistent danger and the weather is out to get you. This is the part that I feel is where Nintendo improved on the Zelda formula. Hyrule is huge and desolate...but it never feels empty.
Edit: A few minor quibbles: Allow for the voice acting to be turned off. PLEASE. Oh and where's my fishing pole? I'm sure the fish don't like being blown up. The hookshot would have been OP but I kinda miss it. Especially since Link has had two (clawshots) before...bionic Tarzan is the way to go.
I'm thinking similar things with 2D Mario after Mario Maker.
I imagine the next game will be some sort of hybrid between BotW and more classical installments (i.e. a smaller open world with a bigger story and bigger dungeons). That, or maybe they'll create an entirely new and ridiculous setting.
The Legend of Zelda... IN SPACE!
Duh
After Breath of the Wild I ask: Where can Metroid Go?
I enjoy a bit of linearity in my games. Do not think I mean like skyward sword...that game was TOO linear.. just like FFXIII is in like the first 13 chapters. NO NO NO.
I'm talking like OoT. You have this order to do things. You have these intimidating dungeons to complete. But hey, want to stop for a second and get Epona first? Want to explore the map before heading to the temple of time? It makes me happy to have a path put before me, but have the feeling of freedom dangling every step of the way.
I am loving BOTW, but I wonder how many more times I will replay it. With OoT I've beaten it dozens of times. With BOTW, I get the saddening feeling that I won't want to revisit it anytime soon. I sure hope I'm wrong.
Also, I'm bummed about no hookshot. Paraglider + hookshot = BATMAN
Wouldn't mind them going more and more into the RPG genre. Perhaps make a spin off open world game where you play as some other character (Female for once!) first before another Link game.
@Meowpheel It's a more important question now than ever before. Arguably, the only reason we got top down Zelda's in the past was due to hardware limitations. Notice there was never a top-down console release? Now that the portable/home system is combined, I think it is a fair concern that we may not see another top-down Zelda. That would be unfortunate, because Link Between World's was outstanding.
As for the question of could we go back, I think we have to. The two types of games are completely different. So much so, I don't think it's even fair to compare the two. It would be like asking if Mario should go back to non-racing games after the success that was Mario Kart.
They'd be stupid not to build on what they've achieved. I'd be happy with a traditional one as well though, I think we might get a 2D top-down, traditional Zelda at some point but the 3D ones will continue the route Breath of the Wild has started.
@AyanamiReign That would be the best of both worlds, in my opinion. It would make me very happy, at least =)
I absolutely adore this game. It really is something special. I have no idea where they'll go but for the first time in decades I'm actually excited.
I don't think we've seen the last of the OOT format. When OOT launched, we still saw several Birds-eye view format Zelda titles. I think we will see all 3 formats in the future. Though maybe not the very next game.
I'm currently loving Breath of the Wild right now and if it keeps up I can see it being my favorite in the series. Even if the iconic "Ending Blow" is surprisingly absent from Link's repertoire.
However, being a series vet whose beaten all Zelda games for portable and home consoles alike, I do feel that the combat took a step backward in some key areas in Breath of the Wild.
Twilight Princess introduced "hidden skills" as an evolution of Zelda 2's sword technique system and Skyward Sword implemented 1:1 sword controls adding an extra element of strategy to combat, requiring players to observe enemies fighting stances and weapon positioning in order to determine the appropriate time and direction to attack from = making a stimulating puzzle out of many enemy encounters.
That is something I regretfully miss in Breath of the Wild. Whether it's with the right analog stick and/or with the enhanced motion controls offered by the Joy-Con, I hope Nintendo implements this strategic element to combat in a future Zelda game and keep Breath of the Wild's open world freedom .
That's a very tough question, and one not easily answered. The last time they had a game of this caliber (OOT) they followed it up with MM, which reused a lot of assets and introduced some new mechanics. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of this Hyrule, and the next game will take place in it.
I highly doubt that Breath of the Wild means the end of the more linear Zelda titles that we all know and love. Heck, you might have thought that after 4 Swords Adventures that the multiplayer co-operative focused Zelda titles were done after the Gamecube title, and yet about 2 years ago, we got another entry in that kind of Zelda gameplay with Tri Force Heroes. The only Zelda playstyle that I think you can definitively say that Nintendo has no intention of revisiting at this point is that of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
I would like a new location. Dont tell us basically the same story again. Every Zelda feels like a reboot. I know its part of the cursed lore. But it became so stale. Keep on going exploring rpg meets puzzle solving. Try something new again with the music or dont. If it sounds good its good.
But seriously just surprise me. This game was really good and unlike after Skyward Sword i am optimistic that Nintendo will deliver again.
A quid will get ya 10 that we see Horizon Zero Dawn 2 before the next Zelda game.
@DJKeens There's also the things you get from the certain people, though. (I'm being really vague so that I don't spoil anything for anyone, but said people are pretty major characters in the story)
@Meuz
How is it a spoiler if those were shown in previews and trailers before the game's release?
Um... I would like to see New RPG again from Nintendo, like Golden Sun. Wanna see Nintendo Action RPG with Summons, Magic Spells, No level tied (Like FF X), Chibi form if necessary (To make it Adorable looking), Jobs to be chosen like FF III and Mini games inside. And of course, No Linear gameplay like FF 13.
I personally loved Skyward Sword, and would still love to see more of that. Because it was fairly linear, although I've never thought it was especially more linear than many others, it was incredibly well crafted. Breath of the Wild is very, very special, but I maybe because of that i don't necessarily want the next one to follow too closely in its footsteps.
Maybe time to follow up on Link Between Worlds.
In the meantime, I'm much more interested in what's next for Metroid!
Judging by the traditional history of the Zelda franchise, I would say the next large scale game we see will be 4-5 years from now. With that said, the Switch is both a console and a handheld, so we will probably see a smaller scale game similar to one you would see on a handheld. It will be a more traditional Zelda game to serve as the opposite of BOTW.
@Minotaurgamer Where in the world do you get these ideas from? I'm actually genuinely curious because I've not played a Zelda that I didn't like, except for the Oracles games (but I just couldn't get into them). All Zeldas have problems, but they're never problems that seem to be results of a "terrible game designer".
I think they could make even better game if they kept the open adventure nature of this game and then give us traditional dungeons on top of that. That was one of the only things I didn't like about this game, the fact it doesn't have traditional dungeons...
@Xaessya That top image isn't promotional. I've never seen it before but after completing the game I now have a very good idea where to find that scene.
More of everything, bigger and better. I feel this is easily the biggest step for zelda games since oot. This game is just SO near perfect imo.
I don't think there is anything different between this game and any other zelda game... apart from the sheer scope of area that you can explore in this game.
The other 3D games are the same, just with tiny playable areas.
The large area obviously removes the focus, and makes it tougher to steer the player in a straight line.
There is no reason to go back to the old way of looking like a vast world, but not really letting you go there. That is, unless, they don't want to spend the development time on creating such an open space.
I think that future games should use the same maps, at least if Link goes to the same area... things could be updated if they want to enhance it, and structures/etc. could change for a new story... but if Link is going back to the same place, it would be weird if it was different. New areas obviously would be totally new maps...i guess that is the point of the DLC, which should be awesome...
All they would need is a more linear story and it would feel more 'traditional'... that would probably work as a nice add-on to the existing map where we already played it 'open-world'. Make travel to locations time sensitive, limit some of the environments into towns, castles, dungeons/etc. with more platforming elements
I want The Paper Legend Of Zelda
To be perfectly honest, I don't think the OoT formula is going to come back. I can see Nintendo deciding to bring back some elements of it for a BotW2, like permanent gadgets and traditional dungeons, but after BotW's outstanding reviews and sales compared to Skyward Sword's they would be foolish to go back to the classic formula.
2D Zeldas are never gonna die, though. And that's good.
@SanderEvers Doubt it. BotW has DLC.
"ask yourself this: would you be happy if for the next Zelda adventure, Nintendo set aside the mechanics introduced in Breath of the Wild and went back to basics, bringing back traditional dungeons, a more linear quest, gear-gated gameplay and a smaller, more compact gameworld?"
Yes. I do not like Breath of the Wild at all. I tried to like it but I hate crafting (why is it in everything now?) and I don't have the time to keep hunting for ingredients to try and come up with something that has the right special effects against a boss. I gave up after dying on Electric Ganon for the hundredth time. I don't know what random ingredients I was supposed to mix together to beat him.
I really want a traditional Zelda game but with new items. I'm bored with the hookshot, boomerang, bombs, iron boots, etc. That's one thing BotW really did get right with the runes as they allowed new types of puzzles instead of the same old variations that you'd get when they recycled items from game to game.
Even if a linear adventure wouldn't necessarily be worse than BotW, it would still feel like a step back of sorts.
BotW's Hyrule is totally seamless, and you can go anywhere you want as long it makes logical sense. The only way to make a future 3D Zelda game linear would be to eliminate that.
It would be interesting to see the series try a truly linear, cinematic style (think Uncharted 4). Something more like 15 hour campaign but with tight pacing and highly replayable.
@duffmmann But how awesome would an HD 2D side-scrolling Zelda title be? I can see it in a Child of Light art style. At least in my mind, that would be killer cool.
@Anti-Matter You should look into World of Final Fantasy.
I really hope they continue with this style. It was one of my favorite zelda games if not my favorite one. I am hoping for a longer main story line next time though.
I think it's a misstatement to say that the original TLoZ is lumped in with ALttP and the formula ever since. Quite on the contrary, BotW is the first game that's actually very similar to the original right down to the vast open world to freely explore without any sense of direction or order. Yes, there were a handful of locations that were "gear gated" but not many, and you unlocked that gear early in the game, not much unlike runes. Your dungeon gear was usable in the overworld to find secrets and new areas, but not required to access most areas of the overworld. II was the weird outlier, but really the grouping of games is TLoZ+BotW as one type of Zelda game, II:LA as its own type, and then all the others rolled into one as the "formula" zelda. The return to the free overworld of the first one in BotW is what original Zelda fans have longed for in the series since the mid-80's, and have never really had. TP & OoT were walled corridors, not truly open overworlds, and WW tried to do it but the limitations of the time for the effect they tried to achieve really didn't cut it. I'd love to see a return of proper dungeons as well, but lets face it, Zelda 1 was all about the overworld, not the dungeons. Which is a little ironic as Miyamoto's prototype game was only a dungeon crawler, and had no overworld.
I think there has been good diversity shown in the series, even if some elements have remained. Ocarina of Time / Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess / Skyward Sword, LTTP / ALBW. These titles featured interesting new gameplay mechanics.
I agree with this article that the new approach BOTW brought was needed. Looking at the history of the franchise, I think the next Zelda will offer something different but enjoyable all the same.
I love the open world, but I miss the traditional dungeons/temples. Make a sequel to this game using the same engine and same open world, but have more traditional temples with more intense combat.
@BulkSlash I can agree somewhat on the crafting and random recipes. I think there needs to be improvements there in the future. I'm not the biggest fan of that. Having a recipe book or recipe stores, or recipe hints that you could learn them and remake them would solve some of that (and be able to acquire a recipe as a clue from NPCs etc) However, the linear gameplay is something that was introduced really in Ocarina. SLIGHTLY so in ALttP, but less so than in the Aonuma games until now. That linear/gated format didn't exist in the first game, existed in a muted fashion in the second, well balanced in ALttP, but by Ocarina the limitations of N64 set the game on "repeat the formula" mode for 20 years because of how well received it was. Now that this is so well received, it might be 20 more years of this.
BUT, the "handheld" zelda team sounds like they're also working on Switch for "2D Zelda" or "2D 3D zelda" however Aonuma described it. I'm guessing you'll see your fix of more traditional (OoT/ALttP) gameplay in that series, while the "3D" team will follow the Z1/BotW formula more from now on.
@sketchturner Zelda re-imagined as a Star Fox game?
All 3D Zeldas should follow BotW's style.
Let 2D Zeldas be about the old traditional experience for those that want it.
I predict the next Zelda game on the Switch will use the same engine and recycle a lot of the assets for breath of the wild. This next game will have a different map and far more meaningful side quests.
As Ocarina of Time is to Majora's Mask. Breath of the WIld is to the next switch Zelda game.
I haven't finished Zelda yet. Why do you post spoilerish pictures?
I'd love to see the faux 2D prototype, environmental systems and all, developed into a more traditional Zelda game as a love letter to those who crave such an experience again. Put it on the eShop and it'll sell like hot cakes.
I'd like to see a mega expansive 2D Zelda game do what BotW did but in a top down view and make the Biggest 2D Zelda world ever.
That or Zelda Maker
Not really sure quite honestly which direction it will go. Personally I hope that all don't go down the road of voice acting and Open world. I haven't yet played BOTW it is still sitting on the shelf for my Wii - U in shrink wrap and I have no idea when I will get around to it as I only game on average 2 - 4 hours a week and some I don't game at all. I personally like how they try different things with this series and that's what I love about it. Let's be honest here This game was first and foremost designed for Wii - U and I believe Skyward Sword came out in 2011. In perspective that means it took around 6 years for BOTW to finally come out and this entry maybe the only Legend of Zelda Switch may see in its lifetime. If Switch gets a new entry I would be surprised.
Breath of the Wild is a truly incredible game, and it will be interesting to see where the series goes from here. In my personal opinion, I think a direct sequel to Botw would be the smartest choice, but that's just me
@Minotaurgamer
"Aonuma is a terrible game designer."
Screw you!
They should just use the same exact engine, maybe make some minor upgrades and make a whole new world with it.
Like what Majora's Mask did with Termina. That'd be dope, i doubt anybody would complain
@Moon When you pondered about reusing the map, I was thinking the same thing. My guess is Aonuma would be willing to take liberties, the BOTW map already did when you think about it.
For me, it's hard to picture 3D Zelda going back to something like Skyward Sword or strange as it sounds, Ocarina of Time. I do think there is still a place for the traditional, top-down style. More like a Link to the Past, basically. Part of me would really like to see something like the 2D "test game" for BOTW, but that's probably wishful thinking.
Really hoping they pull a MM and go to termina as that was my previous favorite Zelda. Maybe have the blood moon become the moon to crash into clock town or something of the sort. Would be interesting to see what they come up with full development for switch.
It's the first open world game in quite a while that manages to suck me in, and the only one that doesn't bore me, even a hundred hours in.
Where can the series go? Well, where could it go after OoT? That's right, something totally different and for so many reasons often superior in my opinion.
After Super Mario Galaxy Nintendo made Super Mario 3D land and Super Mario 3D world, so they could do the same with Zelda. I wouldn't be surprised to see a more traditional Zelda game in the future
Where CAN'T Zelda go at this point?
It was good to do a vast open world, but next I'd like to see a much more dense Zelda, more market town than field.
A perfect Zelda game would be like botw but with actual dungeons with actual Zelda items. It would be easy to use the existing botw engine to make a new world like the new Hyrule post spirit tracks
Legend of Peach.
The Mario cap
I would love wind waker 2 or the BOTW graphics engine in the wind waker universe. More islands to explore, build your own boat and be able to upgrade it
It'll be very hard for them to top this game. I'd love to see them try though.
BotW is going to be a tough act to follow no matter what. Bear in mind that it took five years to make. I'm not sure I can deal with Zeldas only coming out every five years. We probably will get a top down 2D Zelda next, and more than likely it will be on the Switch and not the 3DS. But will it be a "core" Zelda? Probably not. That's what is going to make the Switch weird. Having this massive game on it and then these tiny related games.
@roadrunner343
Wrong Bro.. Loz Four swords was a top down release on GameCube,even though it was a spin off. Actually when I think about it the LOZ collection bonus disk that came with MK double dash had the original NES LOZ game on it,great bonus that was mate
If we go by how they followed 'Ocarina of Time' with Majora's Mask then the next game should be an insane one
Breath of the Wild is a great game, but it doesn't feel like a Zelda game to me, and for that reason I'm actually a bit disappointed by it. I'm hoping Nintendo doesn't abandon the traditional 3D Zelda formula entirely, and the next game stays closer to its roots.
@YorkshireNed
Where in Yorkshire were you born. I live in Cornwall but I am a white rose born and bred
@YorkshireNed Yes I agree. I love OoT but MM is an amazing game that did amazing things. If they developed a "MM"-style game in BotW's engine, we could maybe see another game in two years that has this same expansiveness, but is more intimate and compelling. Maybe not as epic a story, but something wild and out there. Maybe set it in Termina again, or somewhere else small we haven't been in a while like Koholint Island!
Off-topic guys.. Super Mario run is now available on Android,well in Europe anyway and a day early.not sure about USA
Just iterate on this one. This game is unbelievable.
I think now is combine what they did with BotW with some most convencional Zelda style, like more dungeons and weapons like Hookshot,, I think they did a good job with the Runes, soy they can improve with that, add some fishing and maybe return to Magic items that we haven't had in a while. Use both magic and stamina
Another open world game but with more zelda elements.
While the main dungeon ideas were great, they were a tad short.
Would have preferrred if they were some bigger dungeons like in past games scattered through the world.
Also, the ability to repair weapons. While I understand that it's meant to make the player use whatever is at hand, I'd like to repair some of my current weapons.
Make a new Zelda II
Breath of the Wild was the only post-NES Zelda game that I've genuinely enjoyed other than Link Between Worlds. But I'm both too picky and too optimistic to think of BotW as a masterpiece.
Worthy GotY contender it may be, I can't help but think it's going to age somewhat poorly when future Zelda games have even better draw distance, more enemies and other moving goodies visible, less pop-in and pop-out, and maybe even 60fps (blood-pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking on that last one though).
Exploration was easily the best thing in the game. Even the empty countrysides and cliffs were a thing of beauty. No need for fast-travel. But, climbing stuff sure does get old, and the paraglider and Cryonis outright trivialized the dangers of heights and seas. Having magical clothing that improves climbing or swimming adds a lot to that high-fantasy feel, but switching clothes every time I see a steep hill is nonsensical and tedious (but still faster than climbing without). And then there's the Blood Moon. Only menacing when I didn't know what it did. WHAT A HORRIBLE NIGHT TO HAVE A CURSE.
And then there's the combat. It's great to see so many different ways to deal with enemies, yet the basics don't quite feel intact. Why are we still forced to use that clunky Z-Targeting if we want to use a shield or any evasive maneuvers other than simply walking out of the way (which actually works most of the time anyway, by the way)? Why does Link tend to automatically face enemies even without Z-Targeting? Why is the manual camera so slow Thankfully these issues didn't hamper the gameplay much, but that was mainly due to the simplicity of most encounters, and the almost overwhelming freedom I had to aggressively prevent enemies from attacking and dodge whatever I couldn't stop.
As for the overall direction the series takes, I'd like to see a bit more of the traditional Zelda charm blend in more with the free-form flow that BotW provided. Like, traditional items being acquired from dungeons and other sources, but being only one solution out of many, and actually being useful like most things in BotW. And for dungeons, more like Hyrule Castle and less like Temple of Block Pushing. Bosses with puzzle-like elements being helpful in battle, but not necessary for victory. Maybe even have an actual sense of urgency to the quest. Nothing rush-rush, more like think twice before accepting every asinine request from every lazy villager.
Keep the open world of BotW, add more overworld monsters and add a weapons and armor crafting and upgrade system something like Monster Hunter. Also add 6 or 7 proper dungeons. Do it Nintendo!
I've been pondering this question since day one. Clearly Nintendo can't go back to the traditional format now, but how do you make lightning strike twice without 'copying' BotW? If anyone can come up with a solution though, it's those crazy folks at Nintendo. Good thing BotW is so good it will hold us over for 100 years anyway. Maybe just releasing endless DLC is the answer. Lol
I'd quite like the next game to just be set in the same Hyrule but in the past before Ganon came along.
They could reuse the same world but just add news towns and whatnot.
I live both styles of Zelda game! Why not shorten the release window between games and alternate between the two styles. 5-6 years is to long to wait so a different type of game every 2-3 years would be great! They have both the handheld and home console teams working in the same system now so it very possible
Time to revisit the Zelda 2 formula.
I'd personally like to see a Breath of the Wild style world for Termina.
Speaking of Breath of the Wild's world, I am sorely disappointed that there is no little landmark somewhere named Grooseland. Seems like a missed opportunity on Nintendo's part.
Ad many others have pointed out before, I think it'd be unwise to call it a day and only have open world Zelda's in the future. It wouldn't even be feasible, I think: do you really believe Nintendo wants to put out a new Zelda every five years or so?
Other than that, I haven't played BOTW yet, but I have a strong feeling it might just become my favorite game period.
I got that out of the way because I wanted to point out that my opinions only come from what I've seen and heard about the game, and I'm likely to change my mind once I finally get the game. However, if there's something that bugs me a little about the game is the lack of the usual items like the Hookshot, as they're a very iconic part of the game.
On the other hand, you could argue that before ALTTP the "item gating" wasn't as strong a mechanic, and OOT again reinvented it almost from the ground up; in other words, it's just the series changing its conventions and shifting focus once again.
To be blunt, I'm not entirely sold on the new rune powers, they just don't feel "Zelda-like" to me; though as I've said, actually playing the game is likely to change my mind about it.
They could remember to add some music to the game again, beyond just an occasional sprinkling of piano keys. I really wish BoTW had more classic Zelda music throughout.
I really really hope they go back to something more traditional at least for the immediate next zelda game.
Though it's funny. When Skyward Sword came out I was sad that, since it seems the motion controls were divisive, that we'd never again see what was, for me, the epitome of Zelda swordplay. Nothing will ever beat that 1:1 sword fight I had with Ghirahim and Demise. And, sadly, I was right, as BOTW's combat goes back to smashing a button until the enemy is dead. Not to downplay the myriad of other ways you can approach battles in this game, it's brilliant. But strictly speaking of swordplay, it's inferior in every way.
And I guess that's how people would feel if the next Zelda went back to "normal". They fell so in love with this game's open world and simplistic approach to powerups that to go back would be seen as a mistake, similar to my view of the sword play.
I would like to see maybe a mix of the two. I think the overworld is incredible and a masterpiece in itself. So many flourishes of genius I've honestly been properly emotionally moved at times. I love the multitude of shrines and discovering them is such an awesome undertaking but I'd like to see more variety in the look of them. I always loved the layouts of the dungeons and the sense of dread which I think is missing in the slightly anodyne shrines. Get more colour in them, spruce up the music. Get more towns in the over world and there's a massive basis for the series to move on. It has renewed my love for Zelda in such a huge way I really take my hat off to Nintendo.
I don't want them to go back to the ocarina of time style anymore. I want to explore freely again! Remake Koholint Island in the breath of the wild style. Also don't make it so red ninja assassins attack you every 4 minutes after killing their boss, its not fun when you want to quietly explore. I had to start over because my wife wouldn't play anymore because of being hunted so often.
@Toph6661 Literally every last word pulled out of my mouth. I agree with all of the above. First paragraph illustrates a style akin to Link's Awakening, and second one, to Majora's Mask as you describe. Anything borrowed from these two games will make me happy.
Not to mention, more memorable tunes and "musical gameplay" would be really welcome.
I'd like them to keep the open world but agree with others and bring back traditional dungeons and weapons.
I'm 45 hours in on botw and haven't faced a boss yet as I'm happy taking my time and exploring and going back on myself...
The next zelda could be set in same world but hundreds of years later so the landscape will be different... or we could go back in time. Maybe botw dlc will deal with this or add other areas to the existing map. Doubling the world size? A light and dark world like in the past?
Maybe, you will get to play as zelda or a goron or zora, where all the journeys interlink with Links story. Maybe there will be a 2 player option...
They have spent a lot getting the game engine right. I hope this means we get a new game within 3 years... but also they use the engine to create other franchises that can use it... Metroid, Pokemon, Mario etc...
I like BoTW, but miss the dungeons. Keep the freedom, mix in some dungeons, and have the weapons last a bit longer. The occasional special item would be fun as well. But everybody said that already.
Hold on to your Lon Lon Milk guys, I've got an idea...
Imagine a Zelda game with a perfect 100 Metascore...
Are you thinking what I'm thinking...?
YES!
LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD OCARINA OF TIME!!!
>Hi-five<
@NintySnesMan Fair enough, I forgot about four swords. But the overall point stands. That was a spinoff and was a long time ago.
As much as I'm enjoying Breath of the Wild, I hope the next 3D Zelda is more linear and has a set of strong main dungeons.
So far, the huge world map of Breath of the Wild hasn't actually given me the impression that it is truly large, due to how much empty space there is. There are a lot of plains and canyons that seem to lack any meaningful content, and no, a hidden korrok seed every now and then isn't meaningful.
Combat is fun and I like how open ended the gameplay is. I just wish the freedom afforded by the gameplay was met with a more focused story and progression. The sense of discovery is great too in this game, but there are also play sessions where that feeling is too sparse.
@NintySnesMan Huddersfield was my hometown, Hebden Bridge was where I lived my best years and now I live in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. With a UK GBA, Gamecube, DS, Wii U & New 3DS XL + US 2DS & Switch
@TheLobster Couldn't have put it better myself. Same engine but a darker & stranger game would be my dream follow-up. No complaints with BOTW, of course!
The question isn't so much what's next for Zelda, but what's next for AAA video games. Breath of the Wild is a huge break from past Zelda titles, but there's nothing here that's fundamentally different from what was in the multitude of open world games that came before it. The brilliance of BotW is all in Nintendo's execution of the concept: putting the right density of content in the sprawling map, writing puzzles with many possible solutions based on emergent physics, avoiding the feeling of tedious repetition. How will other companies try to match that?
Of course, one great thing Nintendo could do is get their head out of their a**, ditch the POS "rescue the princess" plot they've been recycling since 1981, and give us a game where Zelda is the main character.
@MasterWario Aounuma never liked the original Zelda. He hated the combat....in an action game! and he said the only thing he liked about LttP was to cut grass all day.
OoT's most boring and tedious dungeon, The Water Temple, was designed by him.
All geeks and otakus like to say that Majora's is an underrated game but the truth is, the game sold around half of OoT sales on N64 and pretty much the same on 3DS. And don't give me the "it appeared near N64's end" because that's absurd. Pokemon appeared when the GB was in its way out and invigorated it. That's not an excuse. MM was an anti-zelda.
The oracle games were made by capcom as well as Minish cap.
WW has dumb pirates and a boring ocean.
TP was good mostly because it traced over OoT and made it bigger. But the ridiculous story and the tedious puzzles made it a chore to play.
Phantom Hourglass was a bloated mess.
Spirit tracks has trains. TRAINS IN A ZELDA?! For christ's sake.
Link between world's was a pseudo-remake of LttP. That's why it was good.
Skyward sword is a high school drama anime that only otakus enjoy. When it only moved 5 million copies in a console with almost 100 million users there's something wrong there.
He is a terrible game designer. He is only in charge of zelda thanks to Miyamoto's ego (he hired him because he made puppets in college. I wish I made that up). Since he is in charge the franchise has gone downhill.
So no, I don't respect aounuma. And I am very suprised that BotW ended up being good but I suspect that some higher power restrained him thanks to SS mediocre sales. He is a failed mangaka that shouldn't be in charge of zelda.
I hope they stick with the new format, but if this is the quality bar going forward I will be happy regardless
Another main series Toon Link stylized game is long over due.
@Minotaurgamer Your opinion is vert, very bad.
BotW is a step in the right direction for both Zelda and Nintendo, as this game is the closest any Zelda has ever come to feeling as open as the original game. The original game is so open, you can literally acquire many things before even setting foot in the first dungeon! So this was a brilliant step for Zelda and I hope this is the end of Nintendo's decade long hand-holding rampage. Less giving us easy mode options and power ups (like the silver tanooki suit) and more freedom and ambition. The new Mario looks like it's going to be a return to the style seen in Mario 64 and I'm stoked. I think Nintendo is finally stepping away from all the hand-holding that made Pokemon SM such a chore to play.
I want a whole new continent, with some enemies from other Zelda games, and the thrill of not knowing what may be waiting for me. Give it some real dungeons and more runes to unlock. I'll be satisfied. I hope the DLC will be like this.
obviously the next game should be to this what majora's was to ocarina. clearly they have it in them, and it should take less time to make. how exciting!
@Minotaurgamer I see. Very interesting, thank you for sharing. Game designers have problems, sometimes big problems, just like the rest of us.
I understand your points, but a few like about WW is really just an opinion. If you liked those dumb pirates and sailing around in a big ocean then you'd really like the game. For reference, I haven't played MM, Hourglass, or Spirit Tracks so I wouldn't know about those. I have the unpopular opinion though that SS was very good, but the motion controls didn't bother me at all. SS's story couldn't bother me because Groose would make up for pretty much anything story wise. And the lore surrounding the game was good enough anyways.
Interesting topic. Personally, even though I love Breath of the Wild, I hope Nintendo returns to the older 3D style. Perhaps a third game with the Hero of Time to create a trilogy?
Don't get me wrong, BOTW is awesome, but there is a noticeable departure from some classic Zelda beats. Both open world and traditional games can coexist.
@GrailUK Probably a safe bet, but it'll also be a standard "more of the same" sequel, while Nintendo will likely go completely back to the drawing board for the next AAA Zelda title.
@duffmmann Which is a shame. If you look past the difficulty (which gets easier as time goes on like Dark Souls nudge http://gamephilosophe.blogspot.com/2013/11/dark-souls-and-legend-of-zelda-ii.html)
you will find a game which is very deep for just Zelda's second outing. Heck the magic, sword, and health upgrade system isn't that different from BotW's upgrade triangle when you think about it.
I would love an updated form of Zelda II! If Nintendo simply changed the map to make it less void and head-scratching, I doubt many people would have complained about the game and would be considered just as much of a classic as the original Zelda 1.
@Ralizah "What I don't want is for them to go back to Ocarina of Time as the standard for what a Zelda game should be"
I'll see you by the monkey bars after school - them be fightin' words boy.
Either:
1. Stick a bridge over that massive great canyon on the north of the map! What lies beyond the horizon? What other countries are in peril?
2. Change the idea of a open world. How about a huge bustling steampunk city to explore instead? Build the world upwards rather than outwards.
3. Remake Minish Cap using the BotW engine. An average house becomes a huge open world if you're 1" high!
No, don't go back. If they do take a step back, please for the love of the triforce of courage no more handholding. I would've love Skyward Sword had it not taken 3 hours to get past the first dungeon almost exclusively because of text.
I think they should stick with open world. But really, the term "open world" has a crappy subtext because it's been done terribly by so many other companies - namely Ubisoft, who just re-skins the same ideas over and over.
No, this open world game is something special, and really, it's the most Zelda that Zelda has felt in quite a while. You need autonomy to make the world feel alive. It HAS to be there. When I began playing BOTW it was actually when I got pegged by an octorok from really far away and quickly that I realized the scope and intensity of the world. Here was Ganon's looming shadow and I'm a real part of this world. The worlds of Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword feel empty by comparison.
BOTW is something incredibly special BECAUSE it was made to explore and experiment. I want to grind for that gear because I know I'll use it. I want to cook that food because I know I'll need it. I want to get better at the combat because it's just damn fun.
So what I want from new Zelda series going forward? Same freedom - but go more dense. Bigger and longer dungeons. More mechanics to experiment with, more battle tricks.
Also... the lore of Zelda is such a great asset to this game. It feels like you're home the whole time you're playing it. It all seems very familiar, but very exciting to discover.
Sorry for the ramble.
I would still love a more traditional Zelda outing, as much as this is a great game it is far from being as perfect as portrayed. The world is truly wonderful and the side quests are interesting and fun but the main story is not that good and the bosses are poor and I miss dungeons. Personally I would rank this below Ocarina and Windwaker.
Going forward I'd be more than happy for them to continue the open world (even if it has always really been open world anyway) but bring back dungeons. Shrines were fun but the guardians were potentially amazing, only held back by been far too short. Are you telling me none of you would have liked discovering some long lost dungeons hidden away? Perhaps make them optional as most of this game is? This is one thing I missed along with getting that shiny new toy to play with and realising what I could do with it. Oh and put some music in it, I can remember many tunes from past Zelda games, especially Ocarina however I can't remember one from this.
It may seem like I don't like the game but I do truly love it and there are many things it does right, it just seems to get away with things which other games wouldn't (Epona as paid dlc?, very small variety in enemies, an almost complete lack of a main story). I just hope these are the kind of issues that are fixed for future games
@YorkshireNed
Hey Bro,I was born in Halifax,next door to Huddersfield. Hebden bridge is a nice place. Moved to Cornwall aged 31 been here 16 years now. How come you moved to USA
@DJKeens To me, finishing the dungeons...er.. shrines... by finding and grabbing all the chests is quite good enough. It's also fun to "cheese" some of the puzzles.
As far as character progression, I feel you're overthinking it, although this may just be my opinion vs. yours. Link is a person, and you and I (in our respective adventures) are the mind behind that person. The progression is simply gaining more knowledge about the world we've been placed in; how to deal with the tasks, obstacles, and enemies placed before us. And we have the freedom to choose the way that best suits our fancy. It's beautiful.
@carlos82 Epona is technically already paid DLC. You can get her via Amiibo. (You can, however, name her anything you'd like).
It needs to stay open world like this- I don't wanna go back to loading screens and small areas... but I'd be OK with warping to different worlds like Twilight realm or miniature towns, stuff like that.
Just do the top down games like Link Between Worlds as small, $29.99 releases on the eShop.
I do think more dungeons would be cool for next game, and maybe an item you get at the start of each dungeon to help solve it, but only get to leave the dungeon with it if you beat it. Like hookshot. Then you'll have that to help traverse the world. Breath of the Wild is great though, the way they did it with shrines and environmental puzzles and Divine Beasts and Hyrule Castle is cool.
I really love this game. It's taken me back to a feeling I haven't felt in video games for 10 years.
@NEStalgia Yeah the series has definitely become more linear over time, although there is a teensy amount of non-linearity in Ocarina in that you can choose when to do things like the Bottom of the Well and I always do Desert Colossus before Shadow Temple too. You're right thought that you're pretty much gated from getting into the next dungeon without an item from the previous one.
That said A Link Between Worlds was pretty non-linear after beating the introductory dungeons (I usually tackle the ones with the hidden ore so I can upgrade the Master Sword quickly first) and it's one of my absolute favourites so I'm not averse to non-linearity, I'm quite happy to tackle things in any order so long as I'm not left clueless as to what items I need.
I like your idea about stored recipes, in fact "I am Setsuna" has exactly that mechanic, which makes creating specific foods much easier. It would also have been nice in BotW if any time you picked up an ingredient it was automatically registered with the rune tablet tracker rather than having to remember to take a picture of it first. That way it's much easier to find replacement ingredients if you cook up something useless.
If the people who worked on Link Between Worlds are working on a new 2D Zelda game for the Switch then it's probably my most anticipated game! (I just hope it's not like Triforce Heroes...)
I haven't read the article yet, but it wonders me too. Will we get a more linear one again, with more focus on proper dungeons? Will they go the Majora's mask route (this game already has npc's with day/night cycles)? Or will they wait a bit, and do a couple of season-passes (wouldn't surprise me if they plan a couple of those) first? What about the 2D Zelda's? The team still seems to exist, but they don't seem to be on the Switch-playfield.
Keep in mind that Nintendo probably doesn't want to make such big and expensive Zelda's all the time. Though now they have the fundation, everything may go smoother.
I can also imagine that Miyamoto will make a racked. He's the man of accesability, handholding, easy gameplay. Breath of the wild is quite the opposite. Therefore its funny that this site calls that game the most accesable Switch launchgame. Sure the game is easier to grasp then Xenoblade chronicles X, but its still tricky. Especially for casuals and nongamers.
Put short: I have yet to see if Nintendo continues this "breath" approach!
As for my opinion: I still think its to early for me to give a full opinion on Breath of the wild. But so far I really love the exploration and freedom (and tricky enemies), but miss the proper dungeons. The ones that take you 1 or 2 hours, with awesome puzzles.
@Agent721 2D Zelda maker would be awesome!
This is where Nintendo really are the best. For example, SMB>SMB3>SMW>M64>SMG1&2>SM3DW. Just when you think Nintendo have hit insurmountable heights, boom, broken.
@the1andonlyIKY that's basically what I meant and I wouldn't mind if you could unlock her in game but as far as I know you can't. Don't get me wrong I actually live the game (it's the only thing stopping me from playing Horizon for now) but if anyone else did this they would rightly be called out for it
You can have original, innovative Zeldas and traditional Zeldas together. Just like you had Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros.
@Dakt but not for Android, at list for three months...
@roadrunner343 I disagree a little bit. Nintendo always used its own IPs to experiment new things and that is why those IPs have so much value and survived until today.
About the article, I think Nintendo very unlikely will return to this Zelda-On-Rails that all the past games were (some less than others), but I see more incorporation from established memorabilia from the old games returning in future games. As I see, Breath of the Wild plays many many years after the last game from the old ones in the 'chronology', but at the same time it is a new and fresh beginning to change (or should I say to fix) the Mythology behind the series and start something even greater than the Zelda series already is. I foresee only good omens in the future of our beloved Hylian with his green cap.
@setezerocinco And that's fair. Heck, I think I disagree with me a little bit. I love this game, and part of the reason is because it is Zelda. I've no problems with them experimenting a bit (ALBW) but this is more of a complete departure of the Zelda formula. But if this is the "new" Zelda (Which, I will still love) I'm going to miss the old style games, specifically the top down ones. I hope they find a way to keep them both going. I'm a bit of an oddball that I don't want to see a return to OoT - I've always been partial to the top down style Zelda, so I'm hoping for LttP and ALBW style sequels.
@roadrunner343 one possibility (since they swear that the New3DS is not dead) would be launch games as A Link between Worlds for the handheld with spin offs and keep the new Zelda on Switch.
@setezerocinco I would be fine with that. As for the 3DS not being dead... we've all heard the "third pillar" story before =D That thing is dead. If we get a successor, that would be nice I guess, but I think that will all depend on how well the switch does. As long as those style games can live on somewhere (Except mobile, I need real buttons!) I will be happy.
I expect the more traditional Zelda games to still be covered, on what previously would be a handheld only title (so like Link Between Worlds on 3DS). Obviously with Switch being a home console too it won't be limited to just handheld, but I think it will feel more like a handheld title.
This means we still get our Zelda fix without having to wait 5 years between iterations.
I see BotW receiving DLC to expand upon its main campaign, like the Witcher 3. Which I'm happy with, assuming it still comes to Wii U and is quality.
I do see them undertaking a brand new openworld Zelda adventure, but I see this as coming either at the end of Switch's life (5 years down the line, minimum) or on a new console.
I just don't see them being able to churn out games like this every 2/3 years unless it is very similar to BotW, I which case they may as well expand upon it with decent DLC campaigns
BOTW seems like a love letter/dream come true to anyone who explored every nook, bombed every suspicious rock, and set every bush ablaze in the original. I would love to see the next game take a top down, sprite based approach. I still play the original, and I suspect I'll get 30+ years out of BOTW as well.
@NEStalgia - Well stated as usual.
@Minotaurgamer - Maybe you're just not into Zelda games? It seems impossible to be a fan of the series and hold the belief that Aonuma is anything less than a legendary game designer.
How about - the next Zelda will be a four player online co-op that takes place 100 years before Breath of the Wild - and you play the four heroes.
And the next one will be a Traditional Zelda game - using everything they've learned with Breath of the Wild - but making it more controlled like an older game. With a Hook Shot/Grappling Claw.
While many things are changed up, to me, it's Zelda doing what Zelda does best that keeps Breath of the Wild worth playing.
Ya I definitely think there is room for both I think what you could see is main switch TV style open worlds turn into 1 style and the other be the traditional more over the head style for to go on 3ds and switch. I love both styles and truly believe getting a little bit of both worlds is going to be the best way to go from here.
I loved everything about BOTW. Excellent t one thing, I felt almost lonely. You didn't have much of a partner through the game and your only real companion you have was your horse. 100 years difference in time and no nowhere for link to belong
I don't like BOTW and open world games in general.So I hope the next 3D Zelda improves what Skyward Sword(wich is my favorite)did:making the road to the dungeon full of mandatory obstacles instead of being just a huge field with optional sidequests(that was still present as the sky and i didn't bother doing almost all of them,just went straight to the surface).
@BulkSlash Yeah Ocarina was trying to include some of the LoZ/ALttP non-linearity with the constraints of a 3D world on the N64 and it had an odd "you're free to do what you want within these borders." but it was still pretty walled. Less so than subsequent games, but tellingly it was the last one that Miyamoto directly produced before handing it fully over to Anonuma who made it much more linear since then. I'm going to take a guess that BotW was very much Miyamoto's direction as Aonuma mentioned they were in disagreement at the start about "what a Zelda game is." BotW plays more like the first 4 than the last 5, and Skyward, while lovable in its own way (the world, art, characters, and puzzles were great) was half-way to turning Zelda into an on-rails corridor shooter with puzzles. That's all Aonuma. I'm guessing that's when Miyamoto stepped in for BotW and said basically "um...no."
Link Between worlds might remain my favorite Zelda game....maybe #2 after BotW, I'm not sure. Tied for 1st? But it modernized my prior all time favorite, Link to the Past, and did everything so perfectly. I'd LOVE more games in that Link series and format.
That's interesting about Setsuna.....I didn't know it even had cooking. I would have known that if the Japanese importer had shipped my physical copy, but a week and a half later it's still in processing or some unknown reason
Keep in mind the "camera" in the game is pretty much an odd relic. We can presume it was originally not supposed to require rune switching but was supposed to be a touch icon on the GamePad and you'd quick snap a picture with holding up the gamepad and looking "through" it. IMO the camera probably should have been removed once they ditched the Gampad since it was really designed around it, BUT there is enough dependence on it in sidequests that wasn't an option. It makes it a laborious process to catalog items when it should have been simple as originally designed. Then again when I got it I still went crazy taking pictures of everything
Yep, Aonuma definitely confirmed that "just because there is Switch doesn't mean they're disbanding the handheld zelda team" and that he instructed them to think about "2D Zelda in a 3D way" (whatever that means.) So they're definitely working on something. It might be something very different from Link Between Worlds, but I'm betting it will be a more "traditional" and at least partly 2D experience. I'm all for that. Despite the "open world vs. linear narrative" debate, 2D must never be forgotten!
@Randomname19 SS and BotW are almost polar opposites in design. The idea behind SS was "what if there was no overworld and everything is a dungeon?" and the idea behind BotW is "what if there are no dungeons and everything is the overworld?"
I think the problem is with TP and SS Zelda was almost becoming a "puzzle adventure game" genre rather than sticking to its origins as an action adventure but with puzzles. It was looking more and more like the decedent of Myst, Uru, and Zork, and less and less like the decedent of Legend of Zelda and Link to the Past.
I definitely enjoyed SS (minus Fi's badgering) and wouldn't mind seeing another game like that, but I do think that's probably going to be the outlier. It was the least Zelda-like entry in the series and wasn't terribly well received (like Wind Waker.)
I think the BoTW format with a stronger narrative and more puzzles/real-multifloor dungeons, would probably be the perfect Zelda mixing the 1st one and the OoT format together.
I just want main weapons that don't break.
There can be special/more powerful weapons that can be found/enemies drop that end up breaking or running out of power (like Darksiders) but please let me be able to rely on a main sword, shield, bow without worrying about breaking, so I don't have to run away from trash mobs for fear of wasting attacks and not getting suitable replacement weapons afterword.
@Podoboo has hit the nail on the head. It's not that linearity is bad, or that freedom is bad; you just need the right balance between them. The freedom/exploration in Breath of the Wild is massively disproportionate to the main quest. Zelda needs to go back to the older formula, where you had a reasonable idea of which areas were worth exploring, and when it was better just to push on with the main story.
More generally... I think in a year or two people will realise Breath of the Wild, though excellent, just took too much from the open world formula. BotW gave us lots we should keep - like the physics - but Zelda doesn't need all the other trappings like cooking, crafting, limited inventories and breakable weapons.
@Minotaurgamer I disagree with the absolutism of your details but also do agree with some of your points. Aonuma is a fantastic game designer and his multi-layered designs are phenomenal and unheard of from any other designer. I daresay his multiplayer dungeon puzzles are more intricate than anything Miyamoto has designed, though I also don't disagree that that isn't always a good thing. I'm a fan of his design overall, but don't always agree with his decisions. And you contradict yourself in a few areas. You point out Aonuma didn't like combat, and his game designs are often clear he's making a puzzle game instead of the original action-adventure genre. And yet SS was built largely around the combat more than any other Zelda before BotW. My favorite Zeldas are probably the same as yours, the first, AlttP, ALBW....I'd place TP above Ocarina because of how badly Ocarina's game design has aged over time, and because Midna >>>> Navi. And tellingly they're all Miyamoto-made or remakes of Miyamoto-made games. HOWEVER, few of Miyamoto's puzzles/dungeons are memorable in any way (except Blind's Theif's dungeon), while Aonuma's dungeons are memorable and epic with intricate, complex puzzles, be that a good or a bad thing.
We're now split though between fans of story driven puzzle games and fans of action-exploration games. That divide existed since Link to the Past, and it's only going to get broader. Both fan bases will need to be appeased, much like the FE Awakening and older FE fan bases.
@Dakt I seriously hope Legend of Zelda NEVER makes it to mobile, unless it's Virtual Console type versions of the classic 8-bit and 16-bit games. Even then, I own them on Virtual Console on other systems and with the Switch portability factor, I would rather play this series on that device with physical controls than just purely touch-screen.
As for where I want the Zelda series to go after Breath of the Wild...I hope Nintendo continues to evolve. I love the traditional gameplay mechanics of Zelda, but the series was getting very stale from a gameplay point of view. Storyline-wise though, Zelda continued to deliver on. But I think IGN was right, now that Breath of the Wild is out, Zelda needs to take a bit of a backseat. We've had so many games, albeit mostly HD remakes, with this series all leading up to its 30th anniversary. The series needs to take a bit of a break so that Nintendo can focus on IP that is in SERIOUS need of attention (cough, Metroid, cough) and so that gamers don't get Zelda Fatigue. Then after enough time passes, Nintendo can wow us with yet another amazing game in the series. I wouldn't be opposed to, however, for Nintendo to continue to develop short-story type missions as part of the already-announced content in the Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass.
@Gentlegamer I'm actually ok with weapons breaking. What I'd like though is for the house in Hateno to be expanded so that more than just 3 of each type of weapon can be saved. There's a lot of cool weapons I'd like to display rather than use, but being limited to 3 melee, 3 bows, and 3 shields only is rather annoying.
I think I'll leave this for Nintendo to decide.
Breath of the Wild sized multiplayer game or a more traditional multiplayer 3d zelda is what id like
@NintySnesMan my wife is from Phoenix. She did 10 years in WY and now has dual citizenship, like my kids. Now its my turn
I'd actually like for them to experiment with multiplayer a little more, multiplayer based exploration is a good avenue for more experimentation. Something a little more open than Tri Force Heroes and Federation Force would be interesting to see.
Also, for all of those comparing Pokemon Sun/Moon, there really isn't a whole lot of difference between SM and the older games, Trials and Poke Ride are basically gyms and HMs with a new coat of paint. If anything, Pokemon likely has even bigger changes coming with main series Pokemon being on console for the first time ever.
@chardir
My sentiment exactly. I would be surprised if it wasn't announced soon. What they showed in those BOTW previews looks like Zelda Maker in action.
No way, they can't go back after BotW.
THIS is the new 'traditional' Legend of Zelda template. Any new game has to build upon that.
@Operative2-0
"Nothing will ever beat that 1:1 sword fight I had with Ghirahim and Demise. And, sadly, I was right, as BOTW's combat goes back to smashing a button until the enemy is dead. Not to downplay the myriad of other ways you can approach battles in this game, it's brilliant. But strictly speaking of swordplay, it's inferior in every way."
Couldn't have said it better myself! Those that clicked with the 1:1 motion controlled swordplay, realize it's truly superior to button mashing sword strikes. But don't lose hope... I truly believe Breath of the Wild's return to button input for sword swings was simply to accommodate the developers initial intention to make the game immediately playable using the Wii U's pack-in Gamepad (prioritizing Wii Remote + Nunchuck playstyle would be an issue for Wii U owners who didn't already own them).
Now that every Switch console features the Joy-Con (realized evolution of Wii Remote + Nunchuck playstyle) out of the box + Aunoma mentioned he'd like to make use of HD Rumble in the next Zelda = There is hope we'll see a return to 1:1 swordplay once again!!!
As much as I enjoyed my few hours borrowing BotW from a friend,
it doesn't make me love ALttP any less! In fact, it got me hungry for Zelda again and what I thought we be a few minutes of nostalgia has turned into a full playthrough of ALttP again (my favorite Zelda).
Meanwhile, I don't like ANY of the multiplayer ones AT ALL. But some people do.
It sorta like how Alien and Aliens were both great movies although completely different (dif directors just like dif Zelda designers). But Alien III and on.... garbage
So let's get some more Zelda 1/BotW .... AND.... more ALttP/ALBW. A linke Between Worlds caught me by surprise, didn't think they'd "go back" like that while going forward, but I loved it.
Honestly I hope they make a prequel to breath
@DJKeens Hmm, that's a good point about blocking access. Item gates are a double edged sword because they usually end up being used as door keys and not used after that all almost.
What they could do to fix that would be to make it POSSIBLE to get anywhere without said items but insanely easier with said item. And also make the quest to get said item fun and challenging. This would make it feel like character progression AND potentially give speedrunners to consider.
@Alexmo I feel like almost every game is the prequel lol kappa
@speedracer216 I wonder if BOTW started with Nintendo's desire to make a 3D LttP haha
Where it can go next? SPAAAAAAAAAAACE
@FlameRunnerFast I agree, Zelda II is a good game, but its also the most jarringly different from the rest of the series. Heck, I'd say Breath of the Wild is more similar to the rest of the series than Zelda II is. In that regard, its kind of nice to actually see other games pick up the playstyle, I don't know if you've ever played it or not, but the game Adventure Time: Hey Ice King Why'd You Steal Our Garbage on the 3DS is a true spiritual successor to Zelda II, in fact overall I'd say that I like the Adventure Time game even more than Zelda II (it probably helps that I'm also a fan of Adventure Time). I wish more games would take inspiration from Zelda II like that one did. Because it has proven to be a really fun and unique playstyle.
I'd like to see a sequel, definitely, but I don't see this becoming a new standard. And yet it's hard to imagine going back to the OOT formula for 3D Zelda.
@carlos82
Couldn't agree more, they just need to expand upon this concept and we'll have a winning formula here. Hopefully future installments won't take as long as BOTW did tho.
What a strange article.
Breath of the wild IS the return of the traditional Zelda outing.
Probably the most exciting aspect of BOTW is the fact that, despite the intrinsic nature of its world design making it the strongest core Zelda game in decades, and being an engrossing, immersing, addictive experience... Its still full of shortcomings to fix... With priority number one being dungeons.
BOTW isn't some lofty peak. Its the rock bottom rock solid foundation of the future, ready to be built upon.
At the very least, all you folks who enjoyed the offshoot path the series took when it went 3d, owe those of us who have been waiting for something like breath of the wild to return with modern technology 15 years. Its our turn now. And we have waited a long long time.
@SanderEvers How do you know that??
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