Daily Debate: Does Breath of the Wild Still Hold Up?
Posted on October 10 2021 by Michaela El-Ters
I find the true test of what makes a game timeless and memorable is how long is continually played and discussed after its release. Classic games in the Zelda series like Ocarina of Time hold a special place in fan’s hearts, and the innovations it brought to the industry are still talked about and acknowledged today. Sometimes, the popularity of a video game may peak before it fades into obscurity. So it got me thinking – where does Breath of the Wild fall? Does it still hold up?
Breath of the Wild was met with critical acclaim from both critics and fans alike in 2017. Celebrated for its innovations to the Zelda series and open-world video game experiences, the game continues to be played four years after its release, with fans discovering new tricks and secrets all the time. Breath of the Wild was undeniably a huge success, resulting in other games copying its formula, but to varying degrees of success. Open-world games inspired by it, like Fenyx Rising and Genshin Impact, may have streamlined certain gameplay mechanics and features, but none of that would have been possible without Breath of the Wild paving the way first. It’s for these reasons that I think the game holds up incredibly well. With the sequel slated for sometime next year, Breath of the Wild and its successor are sure to be installments that will be discussed among fans for years to come. Time will tell if it will join Ocarina of Time as a nostalgic and innovative entry in the series, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if it does. What do you think? Does Breath of the Wild hold up? Let us know in the comments!
Michaela El-Ters is a Senior Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She is also an Senior Writer for Boss Rush Network, and writes blogs and streams games on Objection Network. Her favorite Zelda game changes with the seasons, but the series as a whole is near and dear to her heart.
