Tag: Link

Everything We Know: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

In less than a month The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to hit shelves for both the Wii U, and for the launch of the Nintendo Switch and here is everything we know.

In less than a month The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to hit shelves for both the Wii U, and for the launch of the Nintendo Switch and here is everything we know.

The Legend of Zelda series has been a longstanding staple of the Nintendo repertoire since its launch on the Famicom back in 1986. Link has grown up, shrunk down, cell-shaded, and time traveled throughout our many years together. However, Breath of the Wild seeks to take our journey with Link one step further, into the vast open space of true sandbox gameplay.

After multiple delays since 2013, the title will seemingly give us the experience of Zelda we’ve been after for years: adventure, story, and beautiful environments which rival the best of The Elder Scrolls. With a newly developed physics engine, open-world environment, and voice acting, Breath of the Wild seems much more like a Skyrim-meets-Studio-Ghibli than a traditional Zelda game–and we love it.

Play through dungeons in any order, as you are thrown headfirst into this new take on Hyrule. Rather than being guided along by a rail story, players will be able to explore the lush fields and forests at their own pace. Additionally, a large number of cut scenes help to develop the game’s narrative and were the primary motivation for developers including voice acting for the first time in the series’ history.

Breath of the Wild showcases an entirely breathtaking take on Hyrule.

The Story

Some 100 years after a great societal collapse in Hyrule, Link awakens in an amnesiac state. Guided by a mysterious voice, Link’s first steps are shakily taken in a world all too familiar, and yet strange. While these initial steps and memory fog are par for the course in many Zelda games, where Breath of the Wild takes us after that, is entirely new territory.

Set after the events of Ocarina of Time, players will return to Hyrule and see the world left behind through the same strange veil Link awakens within. Not fully removed from the previous stories, and yet not fully aware of the narrative they’re in, Breath of the Wild wants to give players an entirely new Legend of Zelda experience.

Redefining what it means to be a Zelda title.

Gameplay

While some things are new, others are simply redesigned. Even as early as Ocarina of Time, players were used to items being more than what they seemed. For example, sticks could be used not only as torches but also as weapons. Additionally, the methods you killed an enemy, could result in different loot options, i.e. shells or sticks. Breath of the Wild takes this one step further and ups the ante on its inventory and crafting system. Tree branches could be used not only as weapons, or torches, but also for sliding on snow-ridden paths, or as shields.

Various goods can also be used for clothing, food, or weaponry. There will also be a rune system which will allow for increased crafting abilities and the manipulation of combat mechanics. Alongside inventory improvements, this title will feature a proper quest log, allowing for players to follow their progress on the main storylines, as well as side missions.

The game also features Amiibo integration, allowing for players to bring in sidekicks, and unlock alternative story paths when certain conditions are met.

As a Switch launch title, the game will feature improved graphics on the new console, over the Wii U version.

DLC

Nintendo announced that players could purchase an Expansion Pass for Breath of the Wild that would include two DLC packages. The first of which will be released this summer and includes the “Cave of Trials” challenge, a new hard mode and an update for the in-game map. The second will launch in the winter and include a new dungeon and new story content. The pass will cost $19.99 USD and is available for both the Wii U version and the Switch.

Launch Details

Breath of the Wild will launch simultaneously on March 3rd for the WiiU and Nintendo Switch for $59.99 USD. The Switch launch version of Breath of the Wild will also come in “Special” and “Master” edition bundles, for $99.99 and $129.99 USD respectively. Both feature a Sheikah Eye coin, a Calamity Ganon tapestry and world map, a soundtrack disc, and a themed carry-case for the console, while only the “Master” edition comes with a bonus figurine of the Master Sword.

Finally, there will be some minor graphic quality changes between the last first-party title version for the Wii U, and the launch title version for the Nintendo Switch. The Wii U version will run at 720p and 30FPS, while the Switch will feature 900p and 30FPS when docked to a television. While in standalone embedded-display the Switch will also run at 720p.

It’s time to return to Hyrule. Are you hyped for Breath of the Wild? Let us know in the comments or by tweeting us on our Twitter or visiting our Facebook page!

Images © Nintendo

This Day in Gaming History: June 23

Thisdayingaming

This Day in Gaming History is an editorial released 2-3 days per week, that takes you on a ride in its custom-built gaming history blue box. We take a look at titles all released on the same day throughout gaming history, while also giving extra facts and anecdotes as available or appropriate. Got a favorite game that you want to learn more about, or perhaps want to see featured on TDIGH? Send angel1573 a message on the forums, or leave a comment below!

Today, we’ll be returning to some classic titles and franchises, household names, and iconic characters in gaming history. Creations of the earliest console wars, their characters continue to be used as symbols for their brands. From the early days of Sonic the Hedgehog, through to a new generation of Mario and Link, let’s adventure alongside our childhood heroes on This Day in Gaming History.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (SEGA GENESIS)

Released simultaneously in North America, Europe, and Australia on this day in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog became the first game of the Sonic franchise. Following the game’s development in 1990, and after deciding on the anthropomorphic traits of Sonic, the team renamed themselves the “Sonic Team” to match their new character. Influenced by the Super Mario titles, Sonic the Hedgehog introduced a new technique to platforming: the ability to roll along curved scenery. Over time, this ability would evolve and become an integral part of Sonic’s gaming identity. The title itself was well received by critics, who praised its visuals, music, and pace of gameplay. The game was also commercially successful, helping to make the Sega Genesis console a key player in its era of console gaming.

In the 1991 holiday season, the Genesis outsold the Super Nintendo by a two-to-one ration, and in January of 1992, it peaked to claim 65% of the console market share. While Nintendo eventually overtook Sega, it was the first time since 1985 that Nintendo did not lead the console market. Sonic the Hedgehog has been ported to various media since, alongside clones and inspired offshoots, including various “animal with attitude” platformers like Aero the Acro-Bat, Earthworm Jim, or Crash Bandicoot.

NINTENDO 64 CONSOLE & SUPER MARIO 64

N64

Launched alongside one another in all markets, on this day in 1996 the Nintendo 64 console and Super Mario 64 were launched in Japan. Initially codenamed “Project Reality”, the design was finalized by mid-1995, but its launch was ultimately delayed until 1996. The console primarily competed with the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, as part of the fifth generation of console gaming. Alongside Super Mario 64, the console was launched with Pilotwings 64 worldwide, and Saikyo Habu Shogi in Japan only. The console was launched in a variety of colours and designs, including limited-edition controllers and systems.

The N64 was highly anticipated and was met with great praise as a result for its power and gaming delivery–allowing for a more powerful generation of games. The system was in high demand upon release, and during its first three days on the market, retailers sold 350 000 of 500 000 available units. However, the decision for the console to use cartridges rather than discs resulted in tapered sales and more expensive games than its counterparts. Ultimately, the N64 remains one of the most iconic consoles in gaming history, not only for its own profile, but also the games released for it.

Super Mario 64 is the best selling game of all time for the Nintendo 64 console, having sold more than eleven million copies worldwide. A remake was launched on the Nintendo DS in 2004, entitled Super Mario 64 DS and features modifications to the original title. The game left a lasting legacy on 3D game design, particularly with camera design and 360 degree analog control. Super Mario 64 is lauded by critics and fans alike as one of the greatest and most revolutionary games of all time.

Countless titles which followed its released were influenced by Super Mario 64‘s design, including: GoldenEye 007, the Grand Theft Auto series,  Kingdom Hearts, and countless others. Dan Houser, a prominent figure in the development of GTA, stated “Anyone who makes 3D games who says they’ve not borrowed something from Mario or Zelda [on the N64] is lying.” On May 5, 2011, Super Mario 64 was chosen as one of the 80 games to be displayed at the Smithsonian, as part of the “The Art of Video Games” exhibit which launched the following year.

PHANTOM HOURGLASS (NINTENDO DS) [JAPAN]

Much like the other two (or three if you’re going to be technical) gaming behemoths in our list today, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is another title in a long list of games in the Zelda franchise. An action-adventure game released on this day in 2007 in Japan, it is the fourteenth installment in the greater series, and the direct sequel to the 2002 Gamecube title Wind Waker. The game has been re-released for the Wii U via the Virtual Console in North America as of May 2016. The title features 3D cell-shaded graphics and an overhead camera perspective. Players utilize both the touchscreen and the microphone, alongside traditional controls, to progress the story.

While the title and its gameplay were generally praised upon release, Phantom Hourglass was criticized for its online features. Receiving several industry awards, the game would go on to sell 262,800 copies in its initial month in the U.S. By March of 2008, 4.13 million copies had been sold worldwide. Phantom Hourglass was praised as one of the better games to be launched on the Nintendo DS handheld. While the game changes pace and tone when compared to others like Twilight Princess on the Wii, it remained a worthy successor to Wind Waker. Several websites named it the 2007 Game of the Year for the Nintendo DS, and was listed as such in many mainstream magazines. While a point of criticism for some, the title was simultaneously praised for being the first Zelda title to successfully attract casual players.

Images © Nintendo & Sega

Some other titles released on this day:

  • Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst (PC) – 2005
  • Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires (PS3) – 2009
  • Pokemon Black & White Version 2 [Japan] (DS) – 2012
  • Batman: Arkham Knight (PC/PS4/Xbox One) – 2015