Breath of the Wild is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U consoles. The game has received widespread critical acclaim for its open-world design, gameplay mechanics, and impressive visuals. Players take control of Link, an amnesiac hero who wakes up from a hundred-year slumber to defeat the evil Calamity Ganon and save Princess Zelda. The game features a weather system, a dynamic day-night cycle, and a physics engine that allows players to interact with objects in a variety of ways. Breath of the Wild has sold over 20 million copies and has had a significant impact on the Zelda franchise and the video game industry.
Breath of the Wild: The Ultimate Guide to Nintendo’s Staggering Success
Introduction
Breath of the Wild is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U consoles. Released in March 2017, the video game has received widespread critical acclaim and has been praised for its open-world design, gameplay mechanics, and impressive visuals.
The Story and Gameplay
Breath of the Wild is set in a massive open world known as Hyrule, where players take control of Link, an amnesiac hero who wakes up from a hundred-year slumber to defeat the evil Calamity Ganon and save Princess Zelda. The game offers non-linear gameplay, allowing players to explore the vast open world at their own pace and discover various secrets and side quests. The game also features a weather system, a dynamic day-night cycle, and a physics engine that makes for some innovative gameplay mechanics, including the use of magnetism, stasis, and time manipulation to solve puzzles and take down enemies.
The Development Process
The development of Breath of the Wild started in 2013, where the team aimed to break the traditional Zelda formula and create a game that would appeal to both old and new fans of the franchise. The team decided to focus on a more open-world experience, offering players a lot of freedom and exploration. The game’s physics engine was also central to the development process, which allows players to interact with objects in a variety of ways. As a result, the game took around four years to develop and received multiple delays to ensure its quality.
The Critical Reception
Breath of the Wild has received universal critical acclaim, with many critics hailing it as one of the best games ever made. The game currently has a Metacritic score of 97/100, making it the highest-rated game on the Nintendo Switch. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics, detailed world, and amazing visuals. Critics have also praised the game’s non-linear design, offering players freedom and choice, making each player’s story unique.
The Commercial Success
Breath of the Wild has been a commercial success for Nintendo, with over 20 million copies sold as of March 2021. The game was also a launch title for the Nintendo Switch and was instrumental in driving the console’s initial success. The game also received several awards, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2017, as well as the BAFTA Games Awards for Best Game, Game Design, and Game Innovation.
The Impact on the Zelda Franchise
Breath of the Wild has had a significant impact on the Zelda franchise, inspiring other developers to offer similar open-world experiences. The game’s success has also led to rereleases of several Zelda games on the Nintendo Switch, including Skyward Sword, Twilight Princess, and Wind Waker. The game’s influence can also be seen in the upcoming sequel, which has been confirmed to feature a similar open-world design.
In Conclusion
Breath of the Wild has been an overwhelming success for Nintendo, both critically and commercially. Its innovative gameplay mechanics, open-world design, and amazing visuals have made it a landmark title in the video game industry. Its impact on the Zelda franchise and the industry as a whole cannot be understated, and it will be interesting to see how future games in the series build upon its success.