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A New Era for Zelda: Classic Features Making a Comeback

The potential shift away from the established formula in Zelda's Breath of the Wild era could bring significant relief to veteran fans of the series.
A New Era for Zelda: Classic Features Making a Comeback

Highlights

  • Farewell to the Breath of the Wild era may signal the revival of beloved Zelda elements, easing concerns of dedicated fans.
  • Retiring weapon durability could pave the way for a focus on storytelling, linear gameplay, and traditional Zelda dungeons.
  • Future Zelda games might prioritize narrative depth and puzzle-solving by reducing open-world distractions.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, achieved remarkable success. Breath of the Wild won the 2017 Game of the Year award, while Tears of the Kingdom improved upon its predecessor in various aspects. These games introduced survival and open-world elements, departing from the traditional Zelda formula. However, Nintendo's confirmation that Tears of the Kingdom is unlikely to have a sequel suggests the end of this era.

The conclusion of the Breath of the Wild saga could herald the return of iconic Zelda features omitted in recent games and the removal of divisive elements. This potential departure from the established formula might bring immense relief to long-time fans who struggled with the new mechanics and structure of the series.

Bid Farewell to Weapon Durability Mechanics of Breath of the Wild

The inclusion of weapon durability mechanics in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom was met with controversy. This feature, unprecedented in the franchise, aimed to encourage players to continuously seek new weapons in the expansive open worlds. While it served its purpose, many players hoped Nintendo would abandon it, much like Link's Ultrahand ability. Fortunately, the departure of the Breath of the Wild era could see the end of weapon durability mechanics.

Advantages of Retiring the Breath of the Wild Formula

  • Emphasis on story-driven, linear gameplay
  • Return to classic dungeon exploration and puzzle-solving
  • Integration of physical tools and gadgets for combat and puzzles

Enhanced Focus on Storytelling

The captivating open worlds of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, while delightful to navigate, sometimes overshadowed the main storyline. Open worlds, while a hallmark of Breath of the Wild, often distract players from the central narrative with their myriad activities and hidden secrets. Returning to a more linear approach could help recenter the series on storytelling.

Revival of Classic Zelda Dungeons

The newer Zelda era saw a departure from the series' traditional dungeons. While Tears of the Kingdom attempted to reintroduce classic dungeon elements, they were criticized for their simplicity and lack of challenging puzzles. Moving away from the Breath of the Wild formula could bring back the intricate and engaging dungeons that fans have longed for.

While sticking to the Breath of the Wild formula has its merits, Nintendo might opt for a change, considering the series' future direction. If this shift occurs, fans can anticipate the removal of weapon durability, a renewed focus on storytelling, and the resurgence of classic Zelda dungeon experiences.

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