Topic: Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch/Wii U)

[Nile Boogie Returns]

Item drop should be a button and yes there needs to be a cook book. That is the only issues I have with this game.




On a a side note. I have become opposed to fast travel since horse travel is by far the most fun in a game. Game is moving up my best of all time list rather quickly.

[RarityGamer]

This is probably going to be my least liked 3D Zelda game since Twilght sadly. Just like TP, this game's image quailty is horrendus as everything has this weird washed out look about it. There's clearly an amazing colour pallette there, but whatever funky workings they've got going on in this is presenting it as a mess.

As for the game...

Like a lot of open world games, this feels bloated and the majority of exploration just a meaningless time sink that not only offers little to actually do, but little reason to do it. I'd take a smaller more content filled world in any game than a pointless bloated one.

The controls aren't quite up to Nintendo's past works and the new additions are just okay. The puzzle like elements for the additions are pretty good mind. The story is okay, but it might just be me, but I'm not a fan of VA in Zelda. It just doesn't feel right.

I'd give this a 6/10 so far.

[ShyGuy]

I tried to use an Amiibo for the first time in my life, man those things suck! I couldn't make it work in Zelda.

[MagicCow64]

This is probably going to be my least liked 3D Zelda game since Twilght sadly. Just like TP, this game's image quailty is horrendus as everything has this weird washed out look about it. There's clearly an amazing colour pallette there, but whatever funky workings they've got going on in this is presenting it as a mess.

As for the game...

Like a lot of open world games, this feels bloated and the majority of exploration just a meaningless time sink that not only offers little to actually do, but little reason to do it. I'd take a smaller more content filled world in any game than a pointless bloated one.

The controls aren't quite up to Nintendo's past works and the new additions are just okay. The puzzle like elements for the additions are pretty good mind. The story is okay, but it might just be me, but I'm not a fan of VA in Zelda. It just doesn't feel right.

I'd give this a 6/10 so far.

Bloated empty open world, horrendus [sic] image quality, the Switch's honeymoon period (from the other thread), why, you've got most of the talking points down! You got anything about garbage motion controls or dogshit OS or anything like that?

[RarityGamer]

I'm fine with motion controls actually. They don't work well with every game of course, but I'm fine with them as a concept. I quite like the OS on Switch. It's simple and clean. No messing around in menu after menu to find hidden stuff like the Xbox one which in my opinion, has the worst this gen.

I'm not happy about not enjoying Zelda that much, but it is what it is.

[Triforce Hermit]

After playing it for 12 hours straight yesterday I can say handsdown this on a par with N64 Zelda games, if not better. Probably my favorite Zelda now. Got it for the Wii U and Switch and will play it again when I get a Switch. I am very happy Nintendo made us wait, but it was worth it this time.

Also there is a skill ceiling now. I fucking love it.

Anyone know how to get the special tunics? Like the Fierce Deity, Hero of Time, Hero of Twilight, etc sets? Guidebook says amiibo functionality, but I've yet to find out how unless it is a random chest loot or there are more amiibo coming.

Concerning voice acting, I did the Zora dungeon, and I thought the story around that was better told through VA.

[Nile Boogie Returns]

This is probably going to be my least liked 3D Zelda game since Twilght sadly. Just like TP, this game's image quailty is horrendus as everything has this weird washed out look about it. There's clearly an amazing colour pallette there, but whatever funky workings they've got going on in this is presenting it as a mess.

As for the game...

Like a lot of open world games, this feels bloated and the majority of exploration just a meaningless time sink that not only offers little to actually do, but little reason to do it. I'd take a smaller more content filled world in any game than a pointless bloated one.

The controls aren't quite up to Nintendo's past works and the new additions are just okay. The puzzle like elements for the additions are pretty good mind. The story is okay, but it might just be me, but I'm not a fan of VA in Zelda. It just doesn't feel right.

I'd give this a 6/10 so far.

Bloated empty open world, horrendus [sic] image quality, the Switch's honeymoon period (from the other thread), why, you've got most of the talking points down! You got anything about garbage motion controls or dogshit OS or anything like that?

What the hell version are you planing?

[Stratos]

I tried to use an Amiibo for the first time in my life, man those things suck! I couldn't make it work in Zelda.

You have to turn on the feature. Not sure how far you have to get before it unlocks, but after clearing three shrines I quit the game and when I next reloaded the game I got to the title screen and found the amiibo toggle option there.

[Mop it up]

So... I probably should have realised this sooner, but I found out that if Link has full health and gets hit by an attack that should kill him, he'll be left with a quarter heart instead. I'm guessing the idea behind this is so Link can go anywhere from the beginning and still survive without being one-shot by anything, but the problem with it is that it makes me feel like getting more heart containers is a trap that effectively makes the game more difficult, which is completely backwards in my view. It seems easier to just stick with three hearts and stock up on 3-heart food items, eating one whenever Link takes a hit. This would also render defense of clothing pointless.

I'm considering restarting the game and sticking with three hearts... but then I'm also a collector and want to get everything... Why must you mock me, game?!

I guess I should just find some fairies to stock up on instead.

[Evan_B]

Get cooking. That will manage your inventory.

As much as I'd like to, I can't eat swords or bows.

...You only have like, five of each at the beginning of the game. What is there to complain about?

You can only carry so many at the beginning, but the game throws lots of them (and varying types) at you at the beginning.  And it behooves you to have a little variety, but it's hard to carry more than one of each.  I've found it to be pretty frustrating as well.

However, having found that you can expand your weapons inventory, I've got some new hopes for this.  Especially since the doodad you need to expand seems a) plentiful, and b) spread throughout the world.  Also, it seems like a 1:1 trade for an inventory slot so far.

Heh. Yeah, about that...

[Caterkiller]

I am extremely impressed with this game. I feel like I'm exploring a real world. I feel like their is plenty to do and discover and its all spread out just enough to make the scale of it all feel realistic.

I've been dreaming about this game and having my sleep interrupted. That doesn't happen with Pokemon or Smash Bros anymore! 

I liked A Link to the Past, I LOVED Link's awakening, I loved Ocarina of Time, I love Majoras Mask, I loved Wind Waker, I liked Twilight Princes for the most part but ultimately it was a huge let down, I loved Skyward Sword. I generally really enjoy Zelda games but by the time Wind Waker hit I realized Zelda would never be what I wanted it to be, or so I thought.

With Wind Waker, the idea of sailing around to new islands and meeting different people and cultures really excited me. When I found out that massive world contained islands about the size of my pinky with barely any inhabitants it left a sour taste in my mouth. With Twilight Princes I feel like there is one major town and like two mini towns with non-human races living in slums, basically literal holes in the wall. I guess to be fare the Goron's in TP did have furnishings and such in their dwelling. I know it seems trivial and I look past it mostly because the game play is always so great but I like to feel like their is a living world out there with people are living their lives. What was that Windmill island in Wind Waker? it seemed like the only town where anything was really happening in the NPC's lives. There should have been at least 2 other places like that.

Well before I continue rambling I just want to say that this Zelda feels epic in scope and not artificially like flying in Skyward Sword. After hours of running around ruins alone I finally stumbled into a town with people! Lots of em! I'm like woah! And this entire town is pretty large and already I can tell people have problems and need some Link style fixing! I am loving this immensely so far!

[Evan_B]

Spoiler about the Faron region:
There's a freaking dragon flying around there

[stevey]

I'm considering restarting the game and sticking with three hearts... but then I'm also a collector and want to get everything... Why must you mock me, game?!

In the 2nd village (Hateno) you'll find something that will get rid of unwanted heart containers

[Nile Boogie Returns]

Also, Since I am playing both versions (WiiU with the kids, and Switch just for me) I can say that BotW has moved Wii U into the top 5 of consoles.

[ShyGuy]

Man, this game gets hard fast. The main questline is kicking my butt with the Picture Memory quest. I talked to the painter for one hint, are there other NPCs who give hints as well?

[nickmitch]

Get cooking. That will manage your inventory.

As much as I'd like to, I can't eat swords or bows.

...You only have like, five of each at the beginning of the game. What is there to complain about?

You can only carry so many at the beginning, but the game throws lots of them (and varying types) at you at the beginning.  And it behooves you to have a little variety, but it's hard to carry more than one of each.  I've found it to be pretty frustrating as well.

However, having found that you can expand your weapons inventory, I've got some new hopes for this.  Especially since the doodad you need to expand seems a) plentiful, and b) spread throughout the world.  Also, it seems like a 1:1 trade for an inventory slot so far.

Well, that exchange rate escalated quickly.

[nickmitch]

Anyone know how to get the special tunics? Like the Fierce Deity, Hero of Time, Hero of Twilight, etc sets? Guidebook says amiibo functionality, but I've yet to find out how unless it is a random chest loot or there are more amiibo coming.

Seems to be random based on this game explain video.

[TrueNerd]

I have put 15 hours into this game, seen maybe 20% of it, and I am ready to put it into the pantheon. I can't get over the world. It is so big and so alive and so chock full of stuff. This is the best open world I've played in. Both the physics engine and the enemy AI are so, so good and seeing those two systems interact in this world that is so beautifully crafted is something I don't see getting old. I'm also a big fan of the puzzles in the shrines. Thanks to the aforementioned physics engine, so many of them feel like there are multiple solutions to them and I just happened to figure out one of them. The game wants you to try to break it. So liberating.

Going in I really thought I was gonna hate all the stuff that goes along with being an open world game and in a shocking twist, that's all the stuff I love the most. I should call in sick to work tomorrow.

[Nile Boogie Returns]

Is there a log somewhere that tells you how long you played? Time moves different when I play BOTW. I think i'm at 10 hours  or so but I can't tell.

[lolmonade]

Can't remember the last time I was this excited to get back into playing a game, and playing OoT when I was 12 is the last time I can remember playing a Zelda game and feeling like the world was so big.  I've played for maybe 10-12 hours, and haven't gotten beyond getting the paraglider, but I feel more compelled to explore different spots of the starting map rather than push on towards the story, as I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. 


Maybe it'll all feel hollow once I've gotten all of Link's abilities and look back on it, but so far it's been a treat to explore the world, take on the monster encampments, and take my time soaking in the world.  This game is great so far, but I hesitate to "rank" it based on my limited time with it so far.

[Luigi Dude]

I just can't pick a spot to explore I'm all over the place.  I'll start looking at one area, then notice a beach and run over there, then I'll notice a path after a while and go on it, then notice a forest, then I'll end up in a jungle, and now I'm on top of mountains.  It's kind of driving me crazy since there were still things I wanted to explore in all the previous area's but I'm so tempted to see what's over in the distance.

As someone that wants to 100% this game, I can tell you right now this game is going to wreck me.  There's just so much stuff to find I'm sure I'm easily missing things.  Xenoblade X took me over 270 hours to 100%, and the way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if this game takes even longer since the world from my almost 10 hours of playtime is already way more dense and filled with things to discover and do then Xenoblade X was.

[nickmitch]

I keep getting distracted hunting animals.  I generally have enough recovery items, but I constantly stop to catch fish, chase goats/foxes/boars/other animals.  I almost always stop to shoot at a bird.  Then I stop to do a bunch of cooking any time I get an opportunity.

I tried out some amiibo last night and got some good stuff.  A couple of wearable, which are fun.  But I ended up spending a bunch of time cooking things because of all the materials I got.

Really loving this game.

[Khushrenada]

I am addicted to this game now. Like the Civilization series, I never want to stop playing because there's always one more thing to do or see. Made sure to take care of things Friday night and early Saturday to clear up my schedule to dive into this game. Started it up just a bit before 5:00 PM Saturday and was annoyed to find I had to go through an update of the game that seemed to take 30 minutes. I came to play not sit and wait! (So then while waiting, I decided to test a few 3DS games I bought the past few days and make sure they work and 3 of them all needed updates first before launching so it was update city for awhile.)

Finally, the game launched and off I went. When I finally stopped playing it was just a bit after 4:00 AM. I kinda liked that though because it's been years since I've played a game "irresponsibly" like that. Wondered if I should buy a Slurpee for Sunday like my teen days of all-day gaming to keep myself caffeinated, sugared up and awake but just slept past noon before getting up and left it at that. When I dove back into the game, it was, oddly enough, just after 5:00 pm again on Sunday. This time, though, I decided to game a bit smarter. I don't have a clock in my living room to see the time so it's very easy to lose track of it. As well because of my focused playing on Saturday, I didn't stop to really eat or drink anything. The food part is no big deal as I had an early supper before playing but I was feeling a bit dehydrated when I got up on Sunday. Thus, I set up the timer on my phone to go off every hour in order to remind myself of the time and to pause and take a large glass of water at each interval. This was a bit better system for responsible gaming although there was one time when my alarm went off while in a tense enemy encounter and it completely startled me. 

Anyways, midnight rolled around and my plan was to wrap up by then but I was in the middle of an awesome shrine and wanted to finish my work so I set up 20 minute intervals and after 45 minutes I was about done. Being by an edge of Hyrule I decided to just check out a couple other spots around the area and then leave in case I forgot about them when starting the game up after work today. (Not that I probably would but the mind comes up with great little excuses to tell yourself to keep playing.) Anyways, this little exploring wrap-up led to some enemy encounters and finally I got fed up with some of them and was back in areas I'd already explored so I decided to return to the village that led me down this long winding path of exploration. However, returning to the village just reminded me of some of the sidequests going on in them and then I started wrapping some of them up. Finally, at 2:18 AM, I admitted to myself that I need to go to bed regardless of how much I want to carry on. It really is my Civilization days all over again.

When I look at my map and still see SO MUCH unexplored territory to go, the mind boggles and makes me smile. This game has me so engrossed like I really am Link and on this journey and I just want to tell everyone about it. I want to describe all the places I've encountered and the things I've done. There are moments where the colors and art style just shines and I just want to take a bunch of pictures because it looks so lovely to me. A couple months ago, I played Majora's Mask for the first time. I was quite impressed with Clocktown and what the game was able to accomplish with NPC's and making them into individuals and how they seemed to have lives in that world with various differing actions they might perform. Well, the two villages I've encountered so far are almost on par to Clocktown from my experience. They both look and give a sense as having some reality to them with people bustling about in a normal sort of life. The only difference is that the routine of everyone seems to be the same everyday whereas Clocktown would change a few people up over the 3 Day cycle. To echo Caterkiller's point earlier, the design of these villages really helps sell the illusion that this is a lived in world and, frankly, when I compare these villages to New Los Angeles of XCX the latter now feels dated in its design when, just a couple years ago, I thought it was an amazing feat of world building.

[Khushrenada]

I wonder what sort of impact this game would have had on the Wii U. I can definitely see it boosting sales a bit but I think the perception of the Wii U still would have caused a lot of people to miss out on it. I'm thankful Nintendo still released a version on the Wii U (thought I wish they had stuck with the touchscreen implementation they had purposed. I think it would have helped on the menu aspect.) but releasing it for the Switch is a smart, smart move. I imagine a lot of people are going to be into this game like I am which means they may be taking their Switchs with them as they travel around to get in extra playtime with this game which will hopefully interest other people or get them talking about the game to other people and maybe get that snowball effect on sales Nintendo is hoping for with people taking the console out and about to get more word of mouth interest.

My playtime is housebound with the Wii U but I want to talk about the game with everyone I know. We'll see how long this enthusiasm lasts but right now I'm on a gaming high. Admittedly, by the time I wrapped up my first playing session on Saturday/early Sunday, I felt a bit like Mop it up who mentioned giving the game a lower score than Neal's 9.5. However, with more playtime into it and advancement, I'm trending upwards in my critical take of the game. Guess we'll see how it plays out but, at this point, I'm not sure I ever want to go back to the old style of Zelda games.

[nickmitch]

I think it's the timing.  Zelda as a 2017 Wii U exclusive would've been way too late.  2015 might've been a great boost.  2016 is a grey area.