Next Zelda Must Ditch BOTW’s Open World for a Reborn Hyrule!

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In a more relaxed and conversational style:

Without a doubt, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” stands as the crowning achievement on the Nintendo Switch. Despite numerous games that followed, including a sequel to “BOTW,” none have managed to encapsulate the creativity, imagination, and sense of wonder like this game does. Much of this is due to its exceptional open-world exploration, which has since served as the blueprint for other games to emulate. For many players, it wasn’t just a remarkable aspect of “BOTW,” but a defining characteristic that truly set it apart.

It was indeed challenging to surpass the appeal of “Breath of the Wild,” and in several aspects, “Tears of the Kingdom” did not meet expectations. Although it introduced more mechanical innovations, it fell short in capturing the same essence, awe, and freshness. Some parts were inherently hard to replicate, but much of it seemed less prioritized by Nintendo. So, contrary to what one might expect, the sequel to TOTK should not aim to replicate its predecessor’s best aspects, as this would also be a significant error. Instead, to thrive, it needs to forgo the game’s most distinctive feature.

BOTW’s Apocalyptic Hyrule Was Beautiful

It Defined Its Open-World Exploration

One standout aspect of BOTW that has garnered much praise since its debut is its expansive, open world. Indeed, many have discussed the exceptional exploration in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and rightfully so. Yet, what truly sets this game apart is not just the clever labeling of landmarks or the subtle guidance to the next significant location. Rather, it’s the atmosphere that makes Breath of the Wild’s world exceptional. This isn’t your typical post-apocalyptic landscape; instead, it presents a unique post-apocalyptic feel that we haven’t encountered before.

The world in Breath of the Wild is tranquil, serene, and thought-provoking. It’s like the gentle wind blowing through an expansive deserted prairie, leaves whispering on tall trees with branches reaching over decaying structures shrouded in moss, a single piano note lingering as Link travels through unspoiled territories that have been untouched for a century. In essence, it’s a world devoid of everything artificial, everything human-made.

Not only is it crucial for Nintendo to construct this stunning landscape of Hyrule, but also to reveal a fresh aspect of a world recognized by its explorers, peculiar characters, grand adventures, and valiant deeds. In “Breath of the Wild”, Hyrule remains characteristic with its storyline of Link battling Ganon and saving Zelda, yet the tranquil serenity present in this game makes even the act of completing such a mission seem insignificant. However, what truly stands out is how “BOTW” enabled us to fully immerse ourselves in Link’s unwavering optimism amidst overwhelming hardship without any dialogue from him.

TOTK Didn’t Differentiate Its Hyrule Enough

It Tried To Retain The Same Atmosphere

As a gamer diving back into the breathtaking world of Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom, I was excited for Nintendo to truly make it shine and outdo its predecessor. They had the opportunity to redesign Hyrule from scratch, but instead chose to build upon the original foundation, creating a sense of continuity between these games. However, what I experienced was not a fundamental transformation, but rather a surface-level enhancement that left me yearning for something more profound and immersive.

The inclusion of the Depths and floating islands significantly expanded Hyrule’s territory, yet it didn’t make the world more pleasing to traverse. In many instances, the opposite was true. The floating islands often felt lifeless and monotonous, much like their subterranean counterpart. Regrettably, Hyrule didn’t undergo a significant transformation in TOTK, as it retained most of its cities and landmarks, with only a few new additions. In essence, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom made an error in its design of Hyrule.

In a more conversational tone, here’s how the text could be rephrased:

The game didn’t quite manage to make Hyrule feel unique this time around. Despite having a similar appearance, it seemed to be trying to recreate the post-apocalyptic vibe of its predecessor. However, there was still too much untouched nature, the same ruins, and an eerie sense of peaceful desolation – all elements that gave off a feeling of hopelessness. But because it felt like a repetition of BOTW, it didn’t pack the punch as effectively as its predecessor. TOTK unintentionally undermined BOTW’s strongest point in a way that seemed unfair to the original experience. It was more like an imitation than a loving tribute.

In our previous adventures through Hyrule in various Breath of the Wild playthroughs, the experience no longer held the same sense of bliss and tranquility. For those yet to explore, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s depiction of a post-apocalyptic Hyrule could be breathtaking – it was undeniably more congested. However, for those who have played it once or several times before, it fell short. It lacked the freshness, the mystery, the calm that originally came with it. Instead of harmoniously balancing a densely packed landscape with the serenity found in Breath of the Wild’s simplicity, it should have aimed for an entirely distinct tone altogether.

TOTK’s Sequel Must Change The Tone Of Hyrule

It Has To Feel More Hopeful And Alive

In contrast to Breath of the Wild, which focused on a serene post-apocalyptic setting, Tears of the Kingdom should have strived for an elevated and optimistic Hyrule. Ideally, there would be thriving settlements popping up all over, people yearning to connect with the past they’d only heard stories about – a time before everything was destroyed. Regrettably, this did not occur in TOTK. Consequently, its sequel needs to deviate from its predecessor in terms of exploration style and tone, aiming for a more uplifting and hopeful Hyrule.

The third chapter in this saga must set itself apart by presenting a unique narrative and depicting a distinct version of Hyrule. Merely reproducing the enchantment of BOTW through another tranquil landscape teeming with the haunting beauty of a desolate land is not an option. Instead, it should be a bustling, optimistic world, filled with people traveling the roads, establishing new towns and homes, and striving to rebuild their lives as effectively as possible.

Let’s imagine Hyrule not as we knew it before, but as an enhanced version of itself. Contrary to the portrayal in “Breath of the Wild,” this new perspective won’t make it a completely different Hyrule, but rather a more advanced one. Nintendo could leverage this change to introduce freshness into exploration, not by introducing novel mechanics like Ultrahand, but through altered tone, ambiance, and distinctive landmarks. This revised vision might even depict a bustling Hyrule, demonstrating that despite the world being more interconnected than ever, it can still seem fragmented and disjointed.

In the next Zelda game, a character could embody a function similar to Sam Porter Bridges in Death Stranding, aiming to reunite the new communities emerging throughout Hyrule. This narrative thread could provide the game with its core, significance, and direction. Moreover, it would empower players to shape the upcoming version of Hyrule according to their vision, thus making it reflective of how they imagine it should be. The sequel’s conclusion for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom could result in a Hyrule that feels reminiscent of past games, free from the haunting atmosphere found in Breath of the Wild, but closer to what we’ve come to expect from the Zelda series over the years.

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2025-04-20 06:49