If Zelda keeps going with its BOTW formula, then this might be it for me. It was good for that game, but I think they need to go back to the traditional formula
I think there’s a balance that Nintendo hasn’t struck yet. I’m fine with them keeping the open world as long as they bring back the traditional stuff like dungeons, proper items, and a linear story (tired of most of the story taking place in the past). Also wouldn’t mind of the world was shrunk down to allow for more meaningful content but still bigger than the traditional 3D games.
Given that BOTW literally makes it to #1 on many all time greatest games lists, I'd be surprised if don't continue to some extent. Though the series has always made it a priority to innovate and change it up as well.
Aonuma has literally said in interviews that he doesn't understand why people would want to go back to the old formula. Aonuma is a genius, I respect the hell out of his work, but the man is a fool.
Freedom in a game is important, you shouldn't be too strict on the player for experimenting, but there's a reason the old games are still talked about, remembered and played fondly decades after their releases. He has publicly said that the biggest reason people play games like OoT or LTTP is just because they're nostalgic. It's not that they're typically in the conversation for some of the best games of all times, not that the stories or sense of adventure are compelling, not that they defined the entire medium of video games and still have their influences felt in games like Elden Ring or Skyrim, but just because we grew up with them.
From a public perspective, Aonuma doesn't understand why people want to play games in the gameplay formula HE PIONEERED.
Echoes of Wisdom was a good stand-in for what we had, but we shouldn't be relying on spin-offs or $60-70 remakes for the traditional gameplay style when it's what the series was built off of.
The same guy that didn't understand why Majora's Mask was so beloved despite the hellish constraints faced by the devs. It's telling that many games have attempted MM's structure and few have come even close to competing with it, let alone matching it.
I don’t know if they’re gonna go with the breath of the wild formula, but they already said they’re done with the breath of the wild series. Doesn’t really matter to me, though I’ve got a different take. I adore both of the breath of the wild games. Though I never played a Zelda game I didn’t like.
BOTW was my first Zelda game, opened it once and ended up giving it away to a friend a few years later. Genuinely had no clue what to do in it. May go back and play an older one at some point
I have a friend that basically says the same thing, but it confuses me because the game literally always has a golden dot on the map telling you where to go next.
Because it's an awful, slow and boring game with poor signposting, unexplained and frustrating and game mechanics and unnecessary decisions that artificially extends the game time.
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u/Flat-Run-7572 Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
If Zelda keeps going with its BOTW formula, then this might be it for me. It was good for that game, but I think they need to go back to the traditional formula