The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an iconic game that was first revealed during the Nintendo Switch presentation in January 2017. Here are some interesting facts about the game and its presentation:
Open-World Exploration: Breath of the Wild introduced an expansive open-world format to the Zelda series, allowing players to explore the vast kingdom of Hyrule in a non-linear manner. This departure from the traditional Zelda structure was a major selling point.
Development Time: The game took over five years to develop. It was originally intended to be released for the Wii U but was delayed to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo Switch.
Game Engine: Breath of the Wild used a brand-new game engine developed by Nintendo called the "Breath of the Wild Engine." It was designed to create a seamless and immersive open-world experience.
Physics and Chemistry: The game features an intricate physics engine that simulates realistic interactions between objects, wind, fire, and other elements. This led to the emergence of creative and unexpected solutions to puzzles.
Art Style: The game's art style was influenced by Studio Ghibli's films, giving it a unique and visually stunning look. The use of cel-shading and watercolor-like textures contributed to its distinctive aesthetic.
Voice Acting: Breath of the Wild marked the first time in the series that key characters had full voice acting. Link, however, remains a silent protagonist.
Shrines and Korok Seeds: The game is filled with over 120 Shrines, which are mini-dungeons, and over 900 Korok Seeds to discover. These provide players with countless hours of additional gameplay and challenges.
Multiple Endings: Depending on the player's choices, there are multiple possible endings to the game, adding replayability and depth to the story.
Game Awards: Breath of the Wild received numerous awards, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2017. It was highly praised for its innovation and contribution to the open-world genre.
Influence on the Switch: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a major factor in the Nintendo Switch's early success. It was released alongside the console and helped drive its sales.
DLC Packs: The game had two expansion packs, "The Master Trials" and "The Champions' Ballad," which added new content and extended the gameplay experience.
Speedrunning: Breath of the Wild became a popular game for speedrunners due to its open-world nature and various techniques to complete it quickly. It led to the emergence of impressive speedruns.
BotW Sequel: During E3 2019, a sequel to Breath of the Wild was announced, building on the success of the original game and generating considerable anticipation among fans.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains a beloved and groundbreaking entry in the Zelda series and in the world of video games in general, making its reveal during the Nintendo Switch presentation a pivotal moment in gaming history.