Video Game Review by: J1 Student Liv Brown 

 In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo steps away from their average game-making process and tries out something completely new with Zelda. Ever since the game was released, it has been one of my favorites for years to come. It took me ages to get to the progress I’ve made now but all the patience and time put into this game was–and is still worth it today. 

Released in March 2017 as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild casts players once again as Link, the silent hero of Hyrule. But this time, the formula is fundamentally different. The game opens with a simple tutorial/prescribed quest as well as a simple directive: Explore.

From the moment Link steps out of the Shrine of Resurrection they (the player as Link) get to see the vast ruins of Hyrule. Players are invited to go anywhere, climb anything and uncover the kingdom’s secrets in whatever order they choose. The freedom is immediate and overwhelming in the best way possible.

Narratively, the game unfolds as the players navigate the map. Link is recovering from a century-long slumber after a failed attempt to defeat the ancient evil known as Calamity Ganon. Memories scattered throughout the land piece together his past and relationships, especially with the well known Princess Zelda. 

Zelda decided to change up the locked doors and simple dungeons to get into for this game specifically. In their place are over 120 shrines—miniature puzzle or combat trials—that reward experimentation. The tools you need are given early on: a magnet that manipulates metal, bombs with no limit, ice blocks that rise from water, and a time-freezing ability that lets players store kinetic energy. 

These powers form the core of a physics-based system that allows for multiple solutions to nearly every challenge.

The survival elements are another new addition. Weapons degrade and break frequently, forcing players to adapt on the fly. Food must be cooked to restore health or grant buffs like cold resistance or increased stealth. Even weather matters: lightning storms punish players carrying metal, and climbing cliffs becomes treacherous in the rain.

Link even gets the chance to recall memories with the now deceased Champions of different areas through Hyrule. And yes, the Master Sword and Shield return for Link to take as his own once again (Just how I remembered in the past games). 

Even though the game is well put all together in itself, Breath of the Wild is not without flaws. The weapon durability system can feel punishing and inconvenient in longer battles. Some fans may miss the traditional dungeon structure and the more guided storytelling of earlier entries. 

Despite these minor criticisms, the game is a monumental achievement. It blends old and new ideas with such confidence and finesse that it feels like the natural evolution of the franchise. Nintendo took a risk in reimagining Zelda, and it made it a growing success to this day. More than seven years since its release, Breath of the Wild remains a landmark in the history of game design.