The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Review
Posted: 11 months ago, last updated 4 weeks ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer.
Overview
This is a magical world that exists not only as a backdrop for adventure but as a living, breathing environment that must be negotiated as intelligently and carefully as any monster you fight.
There are many games in the Zelda series, each received long and focused development from Nintendo:
- The Legend of Zelda (1986) on NES
- The Adventure of Link (1987) on NES
- A Link to the Past (1991) on Super NES and Gameboy Advance, then ported to Wii, Wii U and Switch (as part of Nintendo Online).
- Link's Awakening (1993) on Gameboy then updated for Switch
- Ocarina of Time (1998) on Nintendo 64 then updated for 3D on Nintendo 3DS
- Link’s Awakening DX (1998) on Gameboy Colour
- Majora's Mask (2000) on Nitendo 64 then updated to 3D on Nintendo 3DS
- Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (2001) on Gameboy Colour
- Four Swords (2002) on Gamecube
- The Wind Waker (2002) on Gamecube then updated in HD on Wii U
- Four Swords Adventures (2004) on Gamecube
- The Minish Cap (2004) on Gameboy Advance
- Twilight Princess (2006) on Wii then in HD on Wii U
- Phantom Hourglass (2007) on Nintendo DS
- Spirit Tracks (2009) on Nintendo DS
- Skyward Sword (2011) on Wii
- A Link Between Worlds (2013) on Nintendo 3DS
- Tri Force Heroes (2015) on Nintendo 3DS
- Breath of the Wild (2017) on Switch
- Breath of the Wild Sequel (TBA) on Switch
Game Details
Rating: PEGI 12+, ESRB TEEN
Release Date: 03/03/2017
Platforms: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Wii U
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fighting, Narrative, Open World and Simulation
Tips
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Commitment
Players: This is a single player game. Varies greatly depending on approach and ability. Most will be able to complete the main threads in 50 hours. But to do everything in the game is a huge challenge, taking over 200 hours over many months.
Costs
There are substantial in-game purchases for additional story, quests, items and challenges. You can buy these individually or via the "Expansion Pass" that also adds three new treasure chests as well as the two packs:
- The Master Trials: The Trial of the Sword, Master Mode, Hero's Path Mode, the travel medallion, and new armour.
- The Champions Balad: The Champions’ Ballad, nine armours you can find while treasure hunting, and an ancient bridle and saddle.
This game supports Nintendo's amiibo, figurines and cards that can be purchased separately to unlock in-game items.
Age Ratings
This game has been rated ESRB TEEN.
Rated PEGI 12 with violence. The examiners report expands this rating with the following: This game features frequent non-realistic looking violence towards human-like and animal-like characters. During scenes of violence bright lights are shown on impact of attacks. When the player character Link takes damage he flashes orange, he continues to repeatedly flash red when running very low on health. Some attacks can knock him to the floor for a short time, but he quickly gets up and carries on fighting. When he is defeated he falls down to the floor and the screen reads ‘game over’, there are no visible injuries on his body.
Accessibility
Difficulty
How you can adjust the challenge of play, and assistance the game offers when you fail or get stuck.
Assistance
View Control Mapping: You can view a map of controls during play.
Assistance With Direction: Indication of where to go next with arrows, cookie trail and the like.
View Game Map: View a map of the game world during play, with points of interest and missions highlighted throughout entire game.
Tutorials: There are helpful tutorials, instructions and tips.
Reading
How much reading or listening comprehension is required, and how accessible this is.
Moderate Reading: Moderate reading required.
Speaker Indicator: Captions or icons and speech bubbles indicate who is speaking.
Some Dialogue is Voiced: Some of the game dialogue and narrative is voice acted.
Controls
How you control the game, different options for alternative inputs and whether you can remap these settings to suit your needs.
Multiple Buttons & Two Sticks: Can play with multiple buttons and two sticks.
Motion Camera Optional: You can use a camera controller like Kinect or PlayStation Camera.
System Settings
Nintendo Switch has some built-in features, including a lockable zoom, that can be used on all games. The Wii U has some limited settings, such as disabling rumble and selecting mono audio... read more about system accessibility settings.
Supported by PlayabilityInitiative and accessibility contributors: @daisyalesounds and @GeekDadGamer
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