How "Breath of the Wild" Redefined the Open World Genre

Link staring off into Hyrule (Nintendo)

There’s a certain game within the Legend of Zelda franchise that stands out, even among countless classics, that have redefined the way we think of open-world games. The year was 2017 and unless you lived under a rock there was only one game that redefined this medium, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”. It was perhaps the most ambitious game ever released in the series and surpassed the expectations of many people including myself. Making roughly a third of sales from every Zelda game combined, people who have never played a Zelda game before most likely played “Breath of the Wild”. It goes to show how a beloved classic of gaming history is able to keep up and even innovate to inspire many other similar games in the future. In order to explain what exactly made “Breath of the Wild” such a popular phenomenon we must explore the innovations that came with breaking the linear storyline that redefined how the game was played.

In terms of narrative, “Breath of the Wild” doesn’t stray far from its Zelda roots. The game begins with Link waking up from a deep slumber in the Shrine of Resurrection and learns that 100 years prior, a great evil known as Calamity Ganon awakened and destroyed Hyrule. Unable to be defeated, he was sealed by Zelda under Hyrule Castle. Link who also fought against Ganon was sent to the Shrine of Resurrection in critical condition where he now awakens to defeat it before Ganon breaks free again.

However, the plot isn’t what sets “Breath of the Wild” apart from the rest of the Zelda games. I still vividly recall the moment I made it out of the Shrine of Resurrection, with the opening cutscene playing and the iconic soundtrack sending chills down my spine. As Link looked out to the vast world of Hyrule, I realized the Zelda games I grew up playing, the memories and nostalgia that I had held were about to be redefined starting with “Breath of the Wild”. It was a wake-up call, telling me to go out and explore as I crafted my own memories and adventures.

Starting from the opening sequence, it was already made clear that “Breath of the Wild” wasn’t going to be your typical Zelda game. The atmosphere-driven environment and nonlinear story were a different departure from the traditional Zelda game. The game didn’t hold your hand, instead, it let you decide the journey with the ultimate end goal of defeating Ganon. The feeling of liberation as you explore the vast world of Hyrule, the hundreds of secrets and sidequests you found along the way as you gained experience fulfilled a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Though the model for creating such an ambitious open world meant having to innovate the very foundations of traditional Zelda games. For instance, the ability to climb was a game changer, it allowed Link for the first time to climb almost any surface creating new avenues of exploration and giving the game a sense of verticality. The introduction of a sophisticated physics system along with the Sheikah Slate innovated the ways puzzles were solved giving the players freedom to interact with the environment. Watching boulders roll down hills, using the wind to push objects, or setting things on fire to create updrafts added layers of realism and complexity unprecedented in past Zelda titles. Weapons also held durability creating a dynamic element of strategy and forcing players to adapt and become resourceful. I could go on and on about the many things “Breath of the Wild” revolutionized but I’ll keep it short.

This is the "Breath of the Wild" I remember playing and it's clear that the game redefined not just the Legend of Zelda series, but the open-world genre as a whole. It dared to break from tradition, providing players with unparalleled freedom, an immersive environment, and a dynamic gameplay experience. The result was a game that captured the hearts of both Zelda fans and newcomers alike, leaving its mark on the world of gaming. In my next blog post, we'll explore the newly released sequel to “Breath of the Wild” called “Tears of the Kingdom”.