With the next generation of hardware on the horizon, we here at Duel Screens wanted to take a look back to the greatest games and hidden gems of the current, soon to be previous generation. If you own or are planning on purchasing a Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is must have title.
Bittersweet Symphony
Within the first five minutes of playing Breath of the Wild, I said to myself, “Thank you. Thank you Nintendo for making this happen.” The phenomenal artwork and haunting score immerse you into a broken Hyrule in need of its greatest hero. Yet, there is something that feels a bit off. Being a seasoned Zelda fan, I started looking for the familiar traits of a Zelda game. I swung my sword frantically through the fields. Where are the hearts? Where are the rupees? Why are my weapons breaking? Will I ever get the Master Sword? Then it hit me. This is not a Zelda game.
Adventure is Out There!
My first real foray into Zelda was with Ocarina of Time. Sure I played the original Legend of Zelda and Zelda II as a young lad, but I was terrible at them. Most my time in the first 3D representation of Hyrule was spent exploring. I became obsessed with the world and the lore and just being able to roam free through the world. It’s a feeling that I have not had with a Zelda game since. That is until I came to the realization that this installment is not a game with a traditional Zelda rhythm. It is not meant for you to barrel through it only to be forgotten in a few days time (I’m looking at you Twilight Princess). The way many of us played Ocarina of Time is exactly how we should be playing Breath of the Wild. This time, on purpose!
Breath of the Wild is a major departure from what I consider to be the ‘Zelda’ archetype. You no longer trek from temple to temple earning new items and heart containers as you go. Instead, you are required to find and create everything you need for the battles that are ahead of you. Your weapons can break. You can grow tired, cold, and exhausted. The world is filled with beautiful landscapes, yet it is also ravaged and bare. The game rewards you more for the quests and small shrine challenges you complete than the larger temples you are used to. The game simply does take your breath away (yes, I know what I did) and will bring out the explorer in you.
Remember to Breathe
While I may not recommend this game to someone that has not played a Zelda game, Breath of the Wild is a touching tribute to the story we all know and love. It also serves as a great introduction to what Zelda could be in the future. In this period of extreme isolation, being able to explore Hyrule has been therapeutic. While this may not be a traditional Zelda game and I long to storm through dungeons and temples, this game is one that is meant to be savored. Breath of the Wild reminds us that it is the journey that is the reward. The fun is in uncovering the mysteries of the vast landscape to uncover its many secrets and dangers. The joy is in the preparation for the battles ahead. So go slowly through the fields, take in the view upon the mountain summit experiment with food and elixirs. Carefully stalk your prey and plan your attack, the beauty is in the choices you have. This might not be the Zelda we’ve been expecting, but it is the Zelda we need right now. Take a break and remember to breathe.
