The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is my new favorite game and here’s why
When I first played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I got frustrated because I couldn’t solve puzzles without a walkthrough, monsters kill me after a single shot, and the most annoying of all, I freeze and burn myself to death just by exploring certain areas. What I didn’t expect was that I’d end up with around 100 hours of gameplay and still want more.
Here’s the thing. I’m not very picky when it comes to video games. I consume almost every genre — relaxed simulation ones like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and Unpacking, shooter games like Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends, and open-world RPGs like Genshin Impact and Elder Scrolls. When you ask me about my favorite, it would depend on the genre or the day. It’s just difficult to pick one.
And yet, I think I managed to find one.
Ultimately, what lured me in is the challenge that the world offers. What made me stay is the balance between adventure and relaxation.
From the first few minutes of playing the game, I already knew that completing the game wouldn’t be so easy. But what Breath of the Wild managed to offer is a neat balance in difficulty, one that made the game challenging yet playable. More than finishing the main quests, there’s joy in just exploring the maps and discovering unique mechanisms.
Few things that made it so special were the worldbuilding, story, collecting items, puzzles, and boss fights. It’s an adventure game but you can also relax from the heroic demands to save the world from time to time.
Breath of the Wild’s vast world
I’ve played a few games with a map so huge that it feels endless. And yet, this game made me explore several regions that are separated by 15 towers. Each region differs in terms of climate, culture, and even species, which means that you have to prepare differently when traveling. Let’s just say that I was too excited and I freezed to death the first time I entered a snowy mountain range and burned to death the first time I entered a volcanic area.
There are areas where you have to be on guard at all times because lots of monsters are on the lookout to attack after the faintest footstep. But there are also places where you can breathe, interact with the locals, and cook food. Personally, I like relaxing. You can find me roaming on a village and speaking to an NPC about how they grew their pumpkin. They’re filled with enthusiasm, it’s hard not to be a listener.
Oh, and one more thing: everything looks too pretty. It’s impossible not to pause and just exclaim at how aesthetically pleasing the game is.
Weapons, Materials, and Other Key Items
What I love about open world games is how you can hoard and interact with items. There are some that you can just pick from the ground, and some that you have to traverse a treacherous terrain, fight mobs, then finally finish a boss to get your hands on it.
Whether it’s fighting an army camp, climbing a steep mountain, or using your ability to solve a puzzle, Breath of the Wild brings out the player’s resourcefulness and creativity.
When I was starting, it was really difficult for me to explore because of lack of materials. There was a time, however, when I felt brave and just challenged a group of stronger monsters. My HP almost drained out but I ended up with better weapons and good loots. After that, I gained the courage to try. It’s not easy, but again, it’s what pushed me to play more and grab better items that would help.
Abilities and Combat
Memorizing combo moves when it comes to fighting games is just not for me. I usually just spam buttons or abuse a certain move, hoping that it finishes an enemy. That’s not the case when it comes to this game.
Breath of the Wild has abilities, melee weapons, ranged weapons, and runes for fights. At first, I was just abusing an available sword to attack while waiting for a monster to die first. But when it stopped working and I started dying often, I became more creative by utilizing what the game offers.
It’s really fun. You can stop time, you can freeze water, you can attract magnets, and you can even take a picture to know more information. You can also try to outrun if you don’t feel like fighting. All up to you.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild created a world that balances adventure and relaxation. There may be lots of quests to clear but you may do so at your own pace. You don’t have to save the world at once. You can appreciate the scenery first and fight when you’re ready.
