The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Still Makes Getting Lost the Best Part

Link steps out of the Shrine of Resurrection, and Hyrule stretches to the horizon. Hyrule Castle looms in the distance, but the mountains, ruins, and countless other places along the way are just as tempting to explore. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild understands how easily a small detour can turn into an entire evening.

Released in 2017, Nintendo’s reinvention traded much of Zelda’s familiar structure for the freedom to explore. I still think it was the right decision, even if the lack of traditional dungeons and constantly breaking weapons can be frustrating. Almost a decade later, wandering through Hyrule and stumbling upon something unexpected remains one of the game's greatest pleasures.

The Great Plateau Gives You a World Instead of a Checklist

The Great Plateau introduces climbing, cooking, combat, and the Sheikah Slate's abilities without overwhelming you with tutorials. You'll have to survive the cold, complete a few shrines, and earn your paraglider before you're free to explore the rest of Hyrule. From that point on, almost anywhere you can see is somewhere you can go.

I love how little the game tells you what to do. Towers reveal the surrounding landscape without covering your map in objectives, so you're free to follow whatever catches your attention.

A strange rock formation might hide a Korok, while a distant glow could lead to a shrine. Sometimes you'll find something interesting, other times almost nothing at all. Either way, there's always the temptation to see what's waiting just over the next hill.

Every Mountain Is an Invitation, Until It Starts Raining

Climbing makes Hyrule feel open in a way few games manage. Mountains aren't decorative walls, and stamina turns each ascent into a small gamble. Reaching the summit rewards you with a view and a quick glide back down.

The weather is less friendly. Rain makes climbing miserable, lightning punishes metal equipment, and extreme temperatures demand preparation. Waiting out a storm halfway up a cliff gets old, but I like how the weather forces you to think about your surroundings instead of simply heading straight for your destination.

The Best Fights Start With a Plan That Goes Wrong

A Bokoblin camp rarely calls for a fair sword fight. You might try sneaking in at night, only to get spotted and find yourself surrounded by angry enemies. Fortunately, bombs, Magnesis, Stasis, and elemental effects give you plenty of ways to improvise.

Some of the most entertaining fights happen when your original plan falls apart and you're left using whatever you can find to survive.

Perfect dodges and shield parries make tougher fights against Lynels and Guardians particularly satisfying. I do wish there were more enemies to fight, though. After exploring Hyrule for dozens of hours, running into the same Bokoblins and Moblins starts to get a little repetitive.

I Understand Weapon Durability, but I Still Don't Like It

Breakable weapons encourage scavenging and stop you from relying on the same powerful sword throughout the game. I understand the idea, especially in a game that encourages you to improvise.

But losing a hard-earned weapon halfway through a fight is more annoying than interesting, and the limited inventory space only makes things worse. I'd happily give up some of that variety if it meant being able to keep a favorite sword around a little longer.

Clever Shrines Can't Quite Replace Zelda's Great Temples

The 120 shrines offer plenty of clever little puzzles. Using Stasis to freeze mechanisms or Magnesis to move objects can lead to some creative solutions, and their short length makes them perfect for a quick distraction while exploring Hyrule.

After a while, though, their nearly identical interiors start to blend together. The four Divine Beasts offer bigger challenges, but even these lack the atmosphere and variety of traditional Zelda dungeons.

I miss the distinct settings and memorable bosses of temples from Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. The Divine Beasts have some enjoyable puzzles, but they never quite match the excitement of exploring a mysterious temple, unsure of what you'll find in the next room.

The Quiet Remains of Hyrule Tell Their Own Story

Broken Guardians and abandoned settlements tell the story of a kingdom that fell a century ago. Link's recovered memories reveal more about Zelda and the Champions, although their relationships can feel underdeveloped when so much of the story is told through optional scenes. Often, the ruins scattered across Hyrule say more about what happened than the dialogue does.

The quiet soundtrack fits the atmosphere perfectly. Wind, birdsong, and occasional piano notes make arriving at a peaceful village feel especially welcoming after hours of exploring. Combined with Nintendo's beautiful, painterly art style, it's easy to spend time simply enjoying the scenery rather than rushing toward your next objective.

Saving the Kingdom Can Wait Until Tomorrow

Breath of the Wild certainly has its frustrations. Weapons break too quickly, the same enemies keep showing up, and the Divine Beasts never quite match Zelda's best dungeons. Players who prefer a more guided adventure might also find all that freedom a little overwhelming.

Even with those flaws, I'd still recommend it for the sheer pleasure of exploring Hyrule. You can set out with a clear destination in mind, only to get distracted by a hidden shrine, an unusual landmark, or something interesting in the distance. Before you know it, you've spent hours doing everything except what you originally planned.