Daily Debate: What Is Your Favorite Aspect of Any Zelda Game?

I can confidently tell you that the Zelda series has had one of the most profound influences on my life. The series itself predates me by just a few months, and some of my earliest video game memories revolve around the Kingdom of Hyrule. Each new game brought enhancements and new features so that each title felt unique. Even so, each game had distinct Zelda DNA, so I wonder: what is my favorite aspect of that Zelda DNA?

Of course, we need to look at what makes up this formula. Ask fans from the earliest days about what makes a Zelda game, and they might tell you the exploration. The Legend of Zelda is famous for just setting you down and saying, “Go!” The world is yours to live in.

From the 3D era, you might hear that the puzzles are their favorite part of the series. Games like Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask had dungeons built around puzzles that offered more depth and challenge. In more modern era games, you might gravitate toward the lighthearted nature of the characters and world. The Wind Waker and Skyward Sword are great examples of characters with more playful natures, wrapped within the story.

Breath of the Wild feels like the first game to take each aspect and merge them together. When Link wakes up, you find yourself in a cave, free to explore where you want, how you want. The Shrines and Divine Beasts offer up plenty of challenge by way of puzzles. Finally, in such a huge, living world, the story ranges from gravely serious to lighthearted. You never lost a sense of your quest, but sometimes, even the hero needs to take a break and play tag in Kakariko Village.

For me, I’ve always loved the idea of exploring the world around me. A Zelda game truly sucks me in when I have a big playground and can go where I want, when I want. The puzzles, while fun, have always been hit or miss, and I prefer mature, gritty storytelling. Traveling through Hyrule in search of each dungeon and my princess gives me the greatest thrill in the series.

What aspect of Zelda games do you like most? Do you think I missed an important aspect? Leave a comment below with your answers!