Daily Debate: What Do You Enjoy Most About The Recent Open World Zelda Games?
Posted on July 10 2023 by Sean Gadus
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are the two most commercially successful Zelda games ever made. While the massive success of The Nintendo Switch is a key factor in the sales success of both games, the changes in design philosophy have been a key part of the tremendous success of the last two mainline Zelda titles. The transition from the semi-linear structure of the previous 3D Zelda titles to an open world structure has been met with critical acclaim from critics and excitement from many gamers.
Reflecting on the critical and commercial success of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, what do you enjoy most about the two open world Zelda games? This topic could relate to any number of subjects including gameplay, enemies, boss, world design, and much more!
Overall, one of the things I enjoy most about the recent open world Zelda games are the complex physics systems (like weather) that are used in the games. While I am not a big fan of open world games, I am constantly amazed at the interactions between the different systems in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. I love when there is a thunderstorm and a lightning strike creates a fire, or the way fire will spread across tall grass if there is wind. Once a player starts to understand the different physics systems that are in place, they can manipulate the different systems in amazing ways. One of my favorite shrines in Breath of the Wild is Daqo Chisay (located just outside Gerudo Town), which is based around metal objects and electric circuits. I was astonished when I realized I could use my own metal weapons to connect the circuits rather than follow the prescribed solution to the puzzle.
What do you think? What do you enjoy most about the recent open world Zelda games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Sean Gadus is a Senior Editor at Zelda Dungeon. His first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time, and he loves all of the 3D Zelda games from 1998-2011. The final battle of Tears of the Kingdom is one of his favorite final battles in the entire series. He wants to help build a kinder, more compassionate world. You can check out his other written work at The-Artifice.com.
