Summary
It may not be quite as complex or sprawling as its successor, butThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis nonetheless packed with deep content and subtle mechanics. Over the years, players have uncovered a number of usefultricks and exploits inBreath of the Wild, but there are other, broader guidelines that are worth understanding.
LikeTears of the Kingdom,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis mostly focused on exploration, with a good amount of puzzle-solving and combat thrown into the mix. The game features a whopping 120 Shrines, four major dungeons, and 900 Korok seeds, along with several other secrets and side quests and the ever-looming threat of Calamity Ganon. Knowing the game’s unwritten rules is crucial for optimizing success in these areas.
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The ABCs of Breath of the Wild
Divine Beasts Aren’t Required, But Should Still Be Defeated
BOTW’s revolutionary take on open-worldexploration encourages open-ended play styles. Players aren’t forced in any particular direction, and can in fact head straight to the Calamity Ganon boss fight at Hyrule Castle if they so choose. While it’s technically possible to defeat this final boss from the jump, it’s not advisable. Players should complete the Divine Beast dungeons beforehand, as this will grant players Champion Powers that can be used in Hyrule Castle and during the final boss fight.
Vah Ruta
Mipha’s Grace
Upon death, refills all Link’s health, plus adds five temporary hearts.
Blocks an incoming attack for Link and knocks enemies back.
Urbosa’s Fury
Sends out an electrical shockwave that damages and stuns enemies.
These powers are incredibly useful and makeBOTW’sversion of Link one ofthe most powerful inZeldacanon, so acquiring them ahead of the final boss fight grants a major advantage. Perhaps more significantly, though, each Divine Beast completed will reduce Calamity Ganon’s maximum health by one-eighth, so completing all four means that the boss will only have half of his normal health. Needless to say, the combination of this effect and the aforementioned powers makes the final fight of the game significantly easier.
Korok Seeds Are Everywhere
Of all the collectibles inBreath of the Wild, Korok seeds are far and away the most numerous. These seeds can be used to upgrade carrying capacity, making them sought-after items, but players don’t need to look too hard to find them. Indeed,BOTWplayers can easily find Korok seedsthrough regular exploration by recognizing patterns and environmental hints. Essentially, if something looks out of place, there’s a good chance it’s hiding a Korok or a Korok-related puzzle. Finding all 900 of them is still a tall task, though.
Cooking Makes BOTW a Cakewalk
Breath of the Wildintroduces its cooking mechanicearly on, as players discover that cooking hot peppers can help them survive the bitter cold region of the Great Plateau. There are a number of different buffs provided by dishes, from increased stamina to boosted defense, so it’s worth experimenting with different item combinations. Just about every dish will restore health or even give Link extra hearts, making them useful even if they don’t grant specific buffs.
With a unique physics system, creative spells, and one of the best designed open-world maps in gaming, there’s plenty aboutThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildleft to discover. However, these basic unwritten rules are a good foundation for both new and experienced players alike.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
WHERE TO PLAY
Forget everything you know aboutThe Legend of Zeldagames. Step into a world of discovery, exploration, and adventure inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a boundary-breaking new game in the acclaimed series. Travel across vast fields, through forests, and to mountain peaks as you discover what has become of the kingdom of Hyrule in this stunning Open-Air Adventure. Now on Nintendo Switch, your journey is freer and more open than ever. Take your system anywhere, and adventure as Link any way you like.
