The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

About The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in March 2017 for the Switch and Wii U. This adventure puzzle title marks a major shift as the first open-world entry in the series. You play as Link after waking from a century-long sleep to face Calamity Ganon. The game strips away linear progression so you can explore Hyrule freely from the start. Weapons and armor found in the world grant specific bonuses rather than defining your path. Critics have ranked it among the greatest video games ever made with near-perfect scores across major aggregators.

Gameplay

You control Link to climb any surface, swim through rivers, or glide over mountains without restriction. A typical session involves spotting a tower from afar then hiking there to clear shrines and find new gear. Combat feels weighty since every weapon has durability so you must switch tools constantly instead of relying on one sword forever. The game does not force you into dungeons in order. You might solve a physics puzzle to open a chest or simply hide behind a rock until enemies pass. Weather changes affect movement and temperature, requiring you to cook food for bonuses. There is no multiplayer mode so all actions happen alone.

What Players Think

Critics and players agree this title stands apart with a Metacritic score of 97 out of 100. IGDB users have given it a 95.1 average across 2784 ratings. Most community members describe the vibe as chill or story-driven based on their votes. The game has achieved massive completion rates among fans who spend hundreds of hours mastering its systems. Some players even rate it cooperative despite being single-player only, likely due to shared theories and discoveries online. These numbers reflect a rare consensus that few other games have ever reached in the industry.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth playing if you value freedom over hand-holding tutorials. The price varies by platform but the achievement system offers plenty of goals for completionists. You will spend dozens of hours finding secrets rather than rushing to a final boss. Not every weapon feels useful since durability forces constant adaptation. Nintendo EPD created something that respects your time and curiosity above all else. Pick this up if you want an adventure where your choices actually matter in the moment.

Storyline

Link is awakened in a room by a voice calling him and learns that he has been asleep for 100 years after failing to stop a monster called Calamity Ganon. Although the monster is being held in Hyrule Castle by Princess Zelda, Calamity Ganon's power continues to grow and if not stopped he will eventually break free with enough power to destroy the entire world. Link embarks on his quest to defeat Calamity Ganon and save Hyrule and Zelda.