Legend of Zelda fans across the globe have opened their eyes to the next installment in the Zelda series: Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild.
Nintendo unveiled a trailer and extensive live gameplay footage of the title during its Treehouse event at E3 2016. Breath of the Wild will be the first of its kind in the series to feature open world gameplay. After awakening in what is known as the Shrine of Resurrection, the player can guide Link through Hyrule like never before.
With a decayed Hyrule set as an open world, various mechanics and items have been introduced to adjust to the new environment. Unlike in previous Zelda games, Link will now be able to both sprint and jump freely. The player will also be able to make Link climb up mountains, trees, and buildings.
A new mechanic called Flurry Rush was added to the title. If the player times a hit at just the right moment, the fight will turn into slow-motion, allowing for a greater amount of hits and damage to the enemy.
Old enemies have returned for the new Zelda title that Link will be able to interact with as well. Bokoblins roam throughout Hyrule in packs and can be found at camp sites. The player can distract bokoblins by throwing bombs or shooting arrows in their general direction. Weapons can be stolen from bokoblins before Link even engages in combat, leaving them defenseless.
Horses can also be found in Breath of The Wild roaming freely throughout the countryside. Gameplay footage shows Link sneaking up to a horse to climb on top of it. It has not been made clear as to whether or not this will lead to the return of Link’s equestrian companion, Epona.
The player is able to hunt and kill wild animals for food. Breath of The Wild sets itself apart once again from the typical Zelda mold by having Link eat food to gain health, rather than from collecting hearts. The player can cook meat taken from wild animals in fire pits.
Various other items were introduced through gameplay footage at the Treehouse event. Bombs can take the form of either cubes or sphere. Cube bombs appear to be easier to set down to destroy a target in a set location.
Spears, different types of swords, and arrows with elemental abilities are able to be found throughout the open world. Lower-grade weapons can be stolen from mobs such as bokoblins as previously mentioned.
A key item introduced in Breath of the Wild is the para-glider. This item will allow the player to jump from elevated locations and float through the air. Link is able to gain this item from completing small dungeons called Shrines, of which there are over 100 according to the Nintendo Treehouse coverage.
Not much was revealed at the event in terms of the story. All that is known is that Hyrule is in ruins, including the Temple of Time. The Temple of Time is a sacred location visited consistently throughout the Zelda series.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild will be released next year for both the Wii U and the Nintendo NX.
