Breath of the Wild is still a classic Zelda, even with its sequel out

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a incredible sport, and after enjoying by way of its entirety, you could be tempted to say it invalidates The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Why play by way of the primary iteration of this explicit Hyrule when this new remixed model exists? You may have lots of the identical landmarks, characters, and enemies, however Tears provides extra baddies, the Depths, the sky islands, and the flexibility to create large warfare machines.

To this, I ask: Why should we make two robust queens battle? Each of those video games are higher for the opposite present, and Tears of the Kingdom wouldn’t be almost nearly as good if I hadn’t spent a lot time in Breath of the Wild.

I picked up Tears of the Kingdom at launch, decided to not expertise even a scrap of FOMO. However I bounced off the sport, fumbling by way of the tutorial islands. By the point I made landfall at Lookout Touchdown, I may see an entire world on the market to discover, however I didn’t have a lot need. Ultrahand felt awkward and janky, it was bizarre that everybody was so happy to see me after I had no thought who they have been, and my largest achievement was fusing a stick to a different stick.

Picture: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

So I went again to Breath of the Wild. After just a few hours, I had accomplished my homework, and I may have gone straight again to Tears. I had initially performed Breath of the Wild at launch and acquired about midway by way of the sport, in spite of everything; I had accomplished my time. As a substitute, I discovered myself entranced. I caught round, felled all 4 Divine Beasts, accomplished the Grasp Trials, and located a large horse. Solely then did I return to Tears of the Kingdom, and I had a blast.

You would possibly suppose that I’d sated myself on Zelda because of all of that Breath-ing, however as a substitute leaping to Tears felt extra like a commencement. I used to be in a position to see all my buddies develop up, have households, or obtain large objectives. Arriving at Lookout Touchdown felt like a real homecoming, and I rejoiced to fulfill characters like Purah and Sidon once more. Dropping the Grasp Sword through the dramatic opening felt a lot worse — I had simply spent hours operating trials to energy that sucker up!

I additionally haven’t been taking part in any of that Korok torture — none for me, thanks! See, not solely am I a morally superior particular person, however I keep in mind the good Koroks on the Misplaced Woods that offered provides and let me keep at their little tree inn free of charge.

Every sport is able to standing by itself. Zelda’s emotional journey, captured within the recollections Hyperlink finds all through Breath of the Wild, is a full arc. There’s no “to be continued” or cliffhangers. Equally, Tears of the Kingdom has its personal story arc instructed by way of flashbacks centered on Hyrule’s distant previous. Every title appears like its personal expertise regardless of all they share in frequent.

Picture: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

It’s additionally attention-grabbing to see how Nintendo has modified the identical acquainted areas with only a few small tweaks. The Nice Plateau went from a tutorial zone to a harmful land filled with Yiga ninjas and greedy Gloom Fingers. Hateno Village is now a popping style capital, and Hyrule Fort is floating within the dang sky.

Breath of the Wild is certainly a less complicated and extra stripped-down tackle the formulation, and Tears of the Kingdom builds on it to glorious impact. However less complicated isn’t worse; as a substitute, I can see myself enjoying each video games within the years to return. I grew up enjoying The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a sport the place Hyperlink travels between two distinct time durations. The bounce between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom feels comparable, and I don’t suppose the outdated Hyrule is out of date as a result of new one.

Over time, as Tears of the Kingdom settles into the lineup and gamers have time to digest all of its twists and turns, I believe we’ll probably see individuals come out in protection of Breath of the Wild. There’s a simplicity to it that actually shines, whereas Tears of the Kingdom can really feel a bit fiddly compared. The Zonai instruments provide nice energy, however the a number of currencies and upgrades can muddle up the sport a bit.

There’s no must toss Breath of the Wild into the garbage bin; Tears of the Kingdom is a incredible expertise, but it surely doesn’t invalidate its predecessor. Enjoying them each makes for one of the best expertise, and I can’t think about a world the place Tears of the Kingdom may very well be so bold if Breath of the Wild hadn’t cleared such a path by way of its personal glorious design.