So, booting the game up for the first time, I was immediately struck with a sense of foreboding. Something was off, and I wasn't sure what it was. It will eventually hit me later, and I'll explain down the road, but it's so small, yet such a powerful detail, I'm shocked Nintendo skipped past it. So, starting the game, I'm already graced with how clunky the controls are. There is so many frames in Link's movements, everything he does is sluggish. Walking, running, jumping, climbing, everything. This little problem causes me no end of headaches as I played this game, with the countless number of enemies that have managed to run me through due to how bad the controls really are. It really hits home later when you are busy trying to lock onto an enemy, circle around them, and try to either attack, or dodge enemy strikes. This game is not polished at all in the control factor, and I'm interested to know why Nintendo decided to go with a more Monster Hunter feel, then a Zelda feel. The next thing that struck me as odd is how fast you burn your stamina while running, and how slow it drains while climbing. In a game that's about traveling from one side of the continent to the other, it seems odd that Nintendo is intentionally making you walk everywhere. You can't risk losing a lot of stamina, as even the simplest things will get you killed. Run out of stamina, you fall off a cliff, you get hurt. No juice? You drown. Tire out? Walk even slower while you watch a little red circle fill up, taunting you.

Doing a little research, I find that there are 120 shrines thrown all about the world map. 120 individual single puzzle shrines that give you a thing called a spirit orb. These spirit orbs are currency that you trade in 4 at a time. You can upgrade either your health, or your stamina orbs. Sitting here, I had to ponder what the hell happened at Nintendo's HQ about this. This means you get 4 heart tanks from the primary bosses, and 30 upgrades total you can do at the upgrade shop. God forbid if you want the master sword, as you'll need 13 heart tanks for that, so with the above recipe for disaster, I was almost hoping for an EA-esque popup that asks for a microtransation. "Pay $4.99 now to increase your Health/Stamina" as the entire process is mind numbingly tedious. I became painfully aware of how the system is balanced around these shrines, and it struck home that this means they got rid of minigames, and actual exploring (IE: Blowing up walls) to find hidden heart containers, and replaced everything with a pseudo fast track quick travel station, Ubisoft towers to reveal the map, and bullshit currency to upgrade yourself. This is seriously heading down the road of EA microtransactions. But I digress: Leaving the Shrine of Resurrection, I was greeted by the story related issue, grabbed a stick, and went about my day: Breaking my twig of a weapon over the face of the first enemy I see. This gave me pause, as how easily this thing blew up. I don't mean break, I mean it went up like someone lit a bomb in my hand. Slowly hopping around the enemy, as I noted this game no longer let you dodge roll, or quick hop for evasion reasons, I picked up the enemy weapon. This thing lasted for a whole 3 enemies.

Moving about my process of breaking my weapons and replacing them with anything that litters the ground, I proceed to move on, only to get blown up by a giant laser out of nowhere. Frustration setting in, I see that this thing has taken my life, and I see a long list of quick saves. This starts tingling my spidey senses in the back of my head, as my head keeps trying to signal me as to what that small detail was, but I ignore it, and manage to work around the insanely over powered enemy guarding the shrine that I'm forced to do in order to get that trusting paraglider that lets you break the fall damage in the game. Which is ridiculous, mind you. Drop four feet, lost 5 hearts. Drop 600 feet, and tap the glider button a second before crashing, no damage. Kay. Moving on. Side note: Your drunk Uncle Fred, 15 tequila shots in, drives better than horses control in this game. Now we walk into Rune Powers. Lovely little abilities that make absolutely no sense in Zeldaverse terms, but whatever, we get crazy stuff all the time, right? Why not get super powers that have a global cooldown, so you no longer have to hunt for bombs or use telekinesis as you move heavy objects, stop time, or blow things up. Totally makes sense. Totally. This made me reassess my equipment, and I wonder why they chose a cooldown in replacing an actual Zelda inventory, but at this point, I don't know what I'm playing, but it doesn't even resemble a Zelda game, outside of a pointy eared blond kid sitting on my status screen. We traded in pretty much everything: Hookshots, boomerangs, sticks, slingshots, masks, deku nuts, lens of truth, pretty much every Zelda tool that makes traversing the world fun has been replaced by 4 powerups that have a cooldown. Neato.

Shrines done, gliding is now a thing, I ran up a mountain as I had to head to one of the rare villages, I run across a golem that stands up to be quite tall, but it's not the enemy itself that bothered me, it's the background: Music clicked in showing that I had run across an elite mook. Now, this in itself isn't a bad thing, it was the more subtle issue: Crossing the world map gives you no music. No Hyrule theme, no epic songs to let you get into what you're doing. None of that. Just... wind. Wind accompanied by the fact that the world map is empty. The world map is freaking empty. The shrines are strategically placed to give you fast travel, and night time has skeletons running at you like it's doomsday, but during the day? Enemies are 10-15 minutes apart, and items you can scavenge are far and few between. The rest of the game has you running in a straight line, and if that seems too tedious, the developers put a mountain to occupy your time so you don't realize you are wasting 90% of your time trying to beat your stamina meter up a cliff face, instead of killing an enemy, or collecting food. So, I find the village and I check out the shops. At this point I noticed the pot, and figure out how to make food, and how your infinite bombs, blowing up trees, and making apple dishes break's this game's economy. I was able to afford the entire Sheika outfit before I even left the village. This game did a piss poor job on balancing rupee collecting. During which I realized you don't get rupees for cutting grass. A Zelda Staple is missing. Again. Instead you get wheat and bugs.

Anywho, meeting with the Village elder, I was discomforted by the fact that there was voice acting in this game. Now, I'm not normally again voice acting, but everyone in this game sounds like they phoned it in. And by that, I mean they literally called the voice recording studio, and they held a tape recorder to the phone. All of it's bad. I think only one NPC in this game isn't ear grating, and that's the bird. He just pisses me off for other reasons. So, listening to the old hag speak, she calls you Link. She calls you Link. You are Link. It clicked. The auto saves, the fact the main menu throws you into the game: You don't get to name your character. You don't get a save slot for multiple games. You are not playing "Your personal avatar", something the people at Nintendo keep saying is their excuse as to why Link never talks. We finally get a Zelda game where you can mix and match your character, and make him look how you want, but they screw this little tidbit up by forgetting such a simple Zelda staple that has been in since the very first entry. Unbelivelable stupid, and such a grand missed opportunity. Side question: Anyone else think the Sheikah shopkeepers moaning is disturbing? Anyway, talking with Impa activated your Quest log, something I really didn't pay attention to at first, but it really ran home here. The missing consumable items, overabundance of materials you get for killing enemies (Seriously shocked there are no loot boxes in this game or a crafting bench at this point), can't name link, multiple saves, stamina gauge, breakable weapons, quest logs, fake dialogue chocies: I'm playing a copy and paste open world game that has saturated the market. So far, this is Zelda in name only. It's freaking Skyrim with a Link skinover mod. The fact Link is right handed in this game didn't escape me either.

Irritation aside, I press on, because I already started this, and after playing Oracle of Seasons, Link to the Past, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess all within a 2 weeks period, I'll be damned if I don't finish this game (which this also gave me a very biased perspective on this game.) So, I attempt to make it to the first official dungeon of the game, only to light up like the Fourth of July. Sitting here, blind struck, it took me a minute to realize: Wearing metal in the rain makes you a lightning conduit. You couldn't just be happy giving me glass level durable weapons, but now you limit my gear, and what I can and can't climb on. The more I play this, the more I'm hating it. Sadly for me, the game still isn't done dicking with me: I get to a spot where you much get Thunder Arrows. This constitute either killing an end game enemy called a Lynel, or stealthing around him. Determination swelling, I take him straight on. After 20 deaths, learning how the Flurry Attack works the hard way, and breaking every damn weapon I have on him, I finally get him down to the last few pixels, only to learn the hard way that this game has something called a "Blood Moon". Respawning, and fully healing all enemies and bosses in the game. I chose the stealth route after reloading my save. So, completing the task at hand, I'm finally allowed to take on the dungeon, only to be disappointed once again: It's basically 5 mini shrines string together. For comparison, the Deku Tree from OoT is longer, and more complex then any of the 4 "dungeons" in this game. This crap repeats for each dungeon: Clear the minor task before the dungeon, get the map that lets you change the layout, hit 5 terminals, destroy the boss.

So, 4 dungeons later, I attain the master sword with grain irritation, having to farm each of those stupid mini shrines, I managed to complete the game with much annoyance. For spoiler reasons, I won't say what happened, but I will say this: Finishing the 4 temples, and getting the ending was probably the biggest disappointment I've ever experienced in the 25+years I've been playing games. With that said, let me line out what I actually liked about this game: Armor variety, and character design. /list I'm troubled, and saddened, that this is going to be the new Zelda format from here on out. This "game" is a solid 4/10.

Garuda desert divine beast fight...so much fun...I love how the sand seal's control... (This is sarcasm for anyone who can't tell.)

Hopefully new Zelda games will fix some of these problems, especially the Sheika Slate. They were even considering including the Hookshot, which would have allowed you to "Swing around like Spiderman". But they left it out, because it would make climbing mountains too easy, if I remember correctly. Honestly, they should have given you a hookshot at the end of Champions Ballad instead of that fucking dirt bike. I mean, a hookshot is already a well known Zelda item, but they include... A Dirt Bike. Because that apparently fits in the setting somehow? Plus it's been confirmed that it goes slightly slower than the fastest horses, plus it requires mantinence to keep it running in the form of giving it items, so it's all in all, kind of a shitty reward, when they could have just given us the Hookshot.

Overall one of the bigger issues is the game plays really slowly even for a Zelda game which are typically puzzle/action games. I think what bugs me more is that it kinda takes some of the worst aspects of open world games since I don't think Nintendo is used to games of these types. Fast Travelling for example is literally one of the most useless variants I've seen in this game. You don't fast travel to towns or important locations. Nope, fast travel between the shrines and towers you only ever need to visit once because those are more important. Now I wouldn't say the game isn't still kind of just fun to play as I've been playing it while listening to a audio book for my college classes but I mean, it's really unengaging for a Zelda game. Seriously though, weapon durability? Like, why...at least let me craft new weapons if your gonna have weapon durability for the majority of the game! Again, taking some of the worst aspect of open world games. Games with more mechanics to hinder the players progress then help are just more annoying to play.

Garuda desert divine beast fight...so much fun...I love how the sand seal's control... (This is sarcasm for anyone who can't tell.) The fact you suck at the game doesn't make it a bad one. 😕 Before you start whining about how I disagree or how you actually have more to say on the matter, why'd you even post this separately if you don't want it commented on? Make a superficial post, expect a reply to it, singling it out. Funny how I both beat the Gerudo boss and even seal races my first time. I wouldn't say game controls, but moreso your own lack of control.

First off, I recognize that I'm better at turn based and strategy based games the majority of the time. Second off, please don't make random assumptions about my responses. First comment would've been my only one if you hadn't taken it even further for no real reason other than to preemptively defend yourself because your so used to people attacking you right away. That last comment is a little rude but you do have a right to act in such a way thus I'll refrain from commenting further.

I'm a bit too tired to really word my feelings on the game properly. But one thing I found that hampered my experience going for 100% is any time that motion controls come up. Especially for those god forsaken ball puzzles. If not for being cheeky and cheesing a win then I'd have been stuck not getting them. They're either unresponsive or too responsive. No in between. Other than that, I deeply enjoyed my experience with it. But I'm not foolish enough to say it is without fault. Also plz no bulli if you have nothing nice to say. cough Kthx.

The fact you suck at the game doesn't make it a bad one. 😕 Before you start whining about how I disagree or how you actually have more to say on the matter, why'd you even post this separately if you don't want it commented on? Make a superficial post, expect a reply to it, singling it out. Funny how I both beat the Gerudo boss and even seal races my first time. I wouldn't say game controls, but moreso your own lack of control. The personal attack is highly.uncalled for, and will not be tolerated. Cut the attitude. A mechanic with a high skill ceiling does not automatically give it a pass, or mean that someone sucks at the game. I had issues with that section myself, as the enable princess refused to keep me in her protective circle, and the turning on that was complete garbage.

Well I finally have a switch so I can give my 2 cents here. I enjoy the game, but some of the aspects of it (specifically the shrines) are cumbersome or difficult to deal with. Maybe it's because I haven't seen all the game has to offer, but it's clunky at times. Moving to new areas by foot is slow and sometimes a drag, and riding animals like horses is pretty awkward in more narrow spaces and such. but cooking is hella fun so theres that

i think a lot of the problems come from how weird the game could operate at times. im sure its because i just dont have the skill, but it would be nice if things could move a bit more smoothly.

Well, I mean... I still don't have the game yet. Probably won't get it until I finish my last school year. I am a bit hyped for this one, since I had my eyes on BoTW since they announced it, but couldn't buy it. And while... it's true that the map is too big, and some spaces are too empty, and that until you get to upgrade armor or you get some hearts or stamina, the enemies are really strong. Without counting the blood moon (Although I see it as a way of not leaving you without enemies, it's true that it can get a little... too annoying). Still, I like what I have seen: Having hard controls was never a problem to me. I like having to adapt to the rules the game sets. Maybe backtracking will be annoying, though, and fast travels weren't really thought. Maybe the game shouldn't had created the shrine mechanic and the 120 unlockable puzzles, and just gave you nice long temples that weren't just mini trials. And the motorbike looks hard to control reminds me to Johana tho. I'm still hyped tho. But it's nice to see other's opinions. Even more if it's old friendo Joker! Been a damn long time! Sorry...

I could go on a long rant about why I dislike BotW but instead I'll just... Shrines.

Since everyone basically covered the issues with game mechanic. I would like to point out another flaw of the game. Plot as in greater story While the Legend of Zelda franchise hasn't had the best plots in all of video game history it has certainly had some of the more memorable ones. Which is why in manga adaptations it has often done so well due to the already solid stories. Yet this game was different in which you literally slept on the plot only to wake up to generic plot 2.0. If you ask anyone who never played zelda you will get the plot of breath of the wild within five minutes. Hero is back, ganon is back, zelda is damsel, magiky gimmicks, etc etc. What happened to all the creative things tried before like wolf transformations, sky lands, time travel, and saving the world with a time limit. Sure we may disagree that some of the games are bad and lots of people may have issues with every other zelda plot done. But at least we can admit they were creative to an extent and different from what non players have cited. Breath of the wild was just a let down with this and as a person who plays zelda more for the plot rather then the puzzles that was a dissapointment. I was hoping maybe the dlc would fix the issue by letting us fight with the original heroes and do all the cool past stuff. Yet what do we get? More temples and gimmicks. Yay ...

Eh if you've seen Jim Sterling's review of BotW, that's more or less my opinion too. Can't be assed enough to type up why I think it's one of the most overrated games ever again other than constant frame drops and flat out freezing that some fanboys try to write off as "minor problems" and "not a big deal"

The ending was pretty offensive as well, considering this is, allegedly, the last game in the timeline

I also wanna add to the story bit. First Divine Beast I did was the Zora one. When I got there and saw what they were going through and how they hated Link's guts for failing and getting their princess killed, it got me looking forward to the rest of the game being like that. No overarching story, which is admittedly disappointing, but the idea of having a bunch of smaller individual stories throughout the world actually seemed really cool. Problem is, Zora's Domain is the only one like that. The rest are just, help us do thing, and proceed along the way. Hell the Rito's divine Beast isn't even bothering them. There's also Zelda's characterization which I really enjoyed. Problem with that one is how it's just scrambled all over the damn place. Another thing; Link's been becoming less and less of an avatar for a while now. He's basically a Persona character in terms of characterization.

Wow I've found a person who doesn't like BotW But, I respect your opinion. I sucked at the game, but I liked that it had alot of challenge. The puzzles were challenging, but not impossible, which made them good to me, but I can see where people would hate them.

I though most of the puzzles were easy actually but I'm more a time based thinker then a fast action think in most regards. The combat I at time found either frustrating or mind numbingly easy. The combat just was kinda strange in that regards and enemy patterns very similar to one another until you fight something difficult like the ancient guardians or the centaurs. Actually, I think that's one of my own gripes. Zelda is supposed to be a game where you can kinda take on any enemy and progressing just gives you more options for how to take enemies on but BOTW was completely progress based in what you could actually easily take on. It crossed over a little too much into a Lvl based rpg with the stat values.

And I'm over here still without the Switch... I did get to play BOTW thanks to my uncle though. I only played for about two hours, but I definitely had fun. The controls took some getting used to (which was natural because that was my first time holding a Switch controller in the first place) but before long I fell in love with the game. My relatives and I laughed at me getting crushed by the boulder in one of the shrines, how I got my ass one-shot by the guardians, and how I blew myself up with my own bombs on accident.

So, 4 dungeons later, I attain the master sword with grain irritation, having to farm each of those stupid mini shrines, I managed to complete the game with much annoyance. For spoiler reasons, I won't say what happened, but I will say this: Finishing the 4 temples, and getting the ending was probably the biggest disappointment I've ever experienced in the 25+years I've been playing games. With that said, let me line out what I actually liked about this game: Armor variety, and character design. /list I'm troubled, and saddened, that this is going to be the new Zelda format from here on out. This "game" is a solid 4/10. I find it sad I just gave this same rating to the latest Taylor Swift record... but yeah, it was a very poor entry in an otherwise pretty good series. I found the shrines to become tedious as time went on, only doing them like a checklist eventually rather than enjoying them. I didn't mind the durability idea, but there was a point where it got annoying. Games like Morrowind did this better. The dungeons are barely dungeons, and combat became a chore and oddly repetitive for such a big game.