The Legend of Zelda series has put out numerous titles with new and exciting storylines, art styles, soundtracks, and combat features — save a few where general art style and combat is shared. Some of these titles have truly embodied a fun and carefree playing experience, whereas others bring forth feelings of complexity and depth. Regardless of the what the title embodies, I feel as though there is an underlying maturity present in every Zelda game. So, when it comes to maturity, what factors do you take into consideration?

Perhaps I can’t make a judgement on the most mature title of the entire series, but of those I’ve played, it’s a toss up between Twilight Princess and Breath of the Wild. However, the factors that I consider in my maturity rankings differ between the two games. For Twilight Princess, something about the art style screams maturity to me, as does the storyline. Maybe it’s due to having to save childhood friends and family, and rid the realm of evil, all while a cynical sidekick criticizes you. The soundtrack is also factor in my ranking. Twilight Princess’ soundtrack has an overall feeling of darkness and sadness, and I suppose the entire game does too. I guess that, to me, darkness equals maturity.

Though I thought Breath of the Wild was seriously lacking in some aspects, I think there’s potential for this to be the most mature title thus far. The introduction of fully voiced roles feels like an incredibly mature detail that Nintendo wanted to incorporate into the game, and possibly new titles going forward. However, the minimal storyline and open world concept are the biggest factors in my opinion. I feel as though Breath of the Wild took a Skyrim-esque approach to gameplay, in which they decided to give you a main quest, but with no one holding your hand along the way. The developers created a big world to explore, so what’s the issue if you take 800 hours before completing the main storyline? These details and game choices create a mature atmosphere that surrounds Breath of the Wild, and when I play it, I don’t feel as if I’m playing a more light-hearted Zelda game, like Spirit Tracks, for example.

What about you? In your opinion, what is the title most mature Zelda title, and what factors led to that conclusion? Let us know in the comments below! 

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