Game Changes and Features [The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]

This section provides a breakdown of the Game Changes and new mechanics in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It summarizes the changes in detail and gives a brief comparison between the mechanics from the previous installments and the implemented ones in the game.

Note that information revealed from E3 will be discussed in this article.

Updated Game Changes and Features

Hearts and Currency Mechanics

• Contrary to previous games, Link can no longer obtain Hearts nor Rupees while crossing grass patches or defeating enemies. This is an overhaul from the traditional mechanics, as it now features Food to restore Hearts or mixing compatible ingredients through the cooking mechanic. As for Rupees, farming enemy drops assists Link in earning money by exchanging them with town merchants.

Survival Mechanics

• In order to get down from higher platforms without injury, Link needs to obtain the Paraglider tool. This bears a resemblance to the function of Cuckoos in the older games.

• On the other hand, reaching certain places require climbing. In comparison to other installments, Link depends only on ladders or vines to ascend, which limits the directions to take. In Breath of the Wild, it returns Skyward Swords’ mechanic, the Stamina gauge, which Link consumes upon climbing. He can also cling on any rocky wall which previously wasn’t available in the older games. To have more efficiency in climbing, Link must use Elixirs.

• Another feature is Sneaking. Previously, Link used Stealth minimally which required “walking” behind enemies and avoiding guards while standing. With the new game, it introduces a creeping mechanic which relies on the Switch’s Left Stick. Similar to Climbing efficiency, the Sneaking mechanic may also be improved by consuming a special potion to lower the noise. This is guided by a Heads Up Display (HUD) for Stealth which gauges the sound Link makes when creeping around nearby enemies.

• While traversing the Hyrulian Kingdom, Link needs to keep a stash of special Food items in order to avoid suffering from the Cold. At a certain point in the game, there are equipment that provide Cold resistance.

• Weather plays a role in aiding or inhibiting certain actions. With wind, it spreads Fire faster on dry grass, while rain does the opposite, while during a thunderstorm, metal objects have a chance to be struck.

Movement Mechanics

• Same with other games, the Horse Mount allows Link to ride a horse, hastening his movement to reach other areas faster than walking or skipping. This feature follows its predecessors given that it is also compatible with combat, allowing Link to deliver swift Ranged shots from a distance while the Horse mount continues circling around to dodge incoming attacks more efficiently.

• Link’s Shield not only functions to deflect projectiles or block melee as before, but it is also a means of transport. When going down the slopes, Link can board his Shield to double as a skateboard, enabling him to conveniently trek down faster.

• Another feature are the Resurrection Towers which provide access points that help Link in easily getting from one point to another across the Kingdom.

Time Mechanics

• The time mechanic returns, showing that a real life minute is equivalent to an in-game hour. This allows Link to cycle between day and night faster while traveling. Note that there are certain encounter changes depending on the time of day.

New Armors, Weapons and Battle Mechanics

• Same with other games, Link can wield a wide array of weapons which differ in features suitable for certain enemies.

• Weapons are now subject to wear and tear, and with frequent use may break down. Thus, the game requires you to stockpile on weapons, making variety and item conservation a significant element.

• Similarly, Link does not don the green tunic but his appearance changes depending on the armor worn. This provides the player to freely customize Link’s appearance as more Armors are acquired. Changing Armors is an important mechanic to suit with the changing climate.

• As for Battle Mechanics, Link may wield a number of several items in a unique succession to effectively take out certain menacing enemies by employing flexible dodging while in combat.

Physics Mechanics

• Previous games have relied on certain items such as Deku Sticks to provide means to light Torches to reveal paths or solve puzzles. This mechanic returns through items such as: a tool for fanning to sail along rafts, wielding specific weapons to chop down wood to provide bridges to cross, lighting dry grass with fire clears a path, and hunting for wild animals to stock up on Food or Cooking ingredients.

• Link can interact with other objects from the environment as well. One instance is shoving a boulder from a cliff knocks down enemies below, thereby conserving Weapon durability.

• One of the striking features introduced in Breath of the Wild are the diverse kinds of Runes. Using the key item – Sheikah Slate, Shrines will provide Link with the necessary Rune to solve the mechanisms inside. Harnessing the power of Runes allow Link to interact with objects like never before such as defying gravity, or clearing barricades to reveal new paths inside the Shrine. These provide ingenious ways to solve the puzzles and maneuver traps from within Shrine Challenges.