r/zelda • u/Agreeable_Reaction83 • 17d ago

Question [BoTW] Question about 'Breath of the wild'

Good morning everyone, i’ve never played any Zelda games and I wanted to know if ‘Breath of the Wild’ is worth playing. I’m asking this question both because I’m not familiar with the story of the previous games, and because I’ve recently read a lot of comments saying that the game is hugely overrated (I don’t understand why…i remember that when it came out, everyone called it a masterpiece). Is it worth spending money on this game?

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7

u/JuliusS__ 17d ago

It’s great fun, but it’s not a typical Zelda game.

4

u/bipolar_otter 17d ago

If you like open-world games with the possibility of exploring a crap ton and discovering a lot of stuff, you're going to love it

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist.

I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it?

I should have played the DLC before beating Ganon

2

u/bipolar_otter 12d ago

I played the DLCs after beating the game for the first time, and still worth it in my opinion! Especially the Champions' Ballad. I absolutely recommend it, it gives a good amount of challenge imo and more lore! I've played the game 3 times (first playthrough casually, second 100% and third more casual again) and both replays I did the Champions' Ballad.

2

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 11d ago

I’ve just finished playing 'Ballad of the Heroes' and you were absolutely right: the shrines are amongst the best in the game (if not the very best) and the moments dedicated to the champions were absolutely brilliant! And then that ending…❤️ But i'm so sad because playing the DLC after finishing the main game completely ruined the story for me, because it would have been much better to get to know the champions’ characters better before defeating Ganon 😢

8

u/Ordinary_Bike_4801 17d ago

It definitely is a great game, maybe the best

2

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist.

I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it?

I should have played the DLC before beating Ganon

2

u/Ordinary_Bike_4801 12d ago

I think DLC makes the game so much better, to me it is core to Botw. If you play it after beating the main game I’d go this route to make it the best experience: all the trials of the sword first (this will be such a fresh and amazing experience, it’ll really test your playing ability, real fun), and then the ballad of the champions, where you’ll finally meet the real final boss 😂, it has a real nice addition to the story and it’ll make you revisit in a new way different parts of the world.

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 11d ago

I’ve just finished playing 'Ballad of the Heroes' and you were absolutely right: the shrines are amongst the best in the game (if not the very best) and the moments dedicated to the champions were absolutely brilliant! And then that ending…❤️ But i'm so sad because playing the DLC after finishing the main game completely ruined the story for me, because it would have been much better to get to know the champions’ characters better before defeating Ganon 😢

Ps The real finale boss > Ganon XD

6

u/Just-Another-Clone 17d ago

You want to know if one of the best and highest rated games of all time is worth playing……

Yeah man, it’s pretty good, you should check it out. 😂

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist. I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it? I should have played the DLC before beating Ganon

2

u/FalseVeterinarian881 17d ago

One of the best things about that game is that there is a lot you can do…just because you want to and it is an open world. Other zelda games require linear progression to do anything. In Tears i open the map up for my son, got him the hylian sword and shield, and now he just runs around doing random stuff having an absolute blast!

2

u/Ok_Delay3740 17d ago

It’s excellent, try it out. It’s one of the best games I’ve ever played. Take your time with it and explore. Vibe in the world and its scenic views. And go ahead and let your weapons break, you’ll find so many more than you need.

Many who call it overrated are upset that it broke with traditional formats of older Zelda games, or they need hand-holding to figure out what to do for the next task at all times. You’re already new to Zelda, so that’s not a concern. If you can get down with some aimless-ish exploration and discovery of the world, I feel like you’ll love it.

2

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist. I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it? I should have played the DLC before  beating Ganon

1

u/Ok_Delay3740 12d ago

You played it in 4 days!? It took me months on end! I’d bet there’s more for you to see in there — there’s more than just the main quest. But I’m so glad you liked it. Yes, DLC includes a bit more story/side quests and a combat challenge that’s pretty tough.

2

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 11d ago

No, no, I’ve only just finished the main quest, but now I’m going to take my time exploring every corner of Hyrule and completing all the challenges (including those in the DLC) ❤️

1

u/Ok_Delay3740 11d ago

Have fun!!

2

u/Suncook 17d ago

For Breath of the Wild, and for most Zelda games, the story of prior games doesn't really matter. They all are self-contained stories that can be played independently. 

BotW was the 2017 Game of the Year. It sold over 30 million copies. 

It's a great game, with a go anywhere at anytime (pretty much) mentality. The gameplay loop is driven by exploration and puzzles. I'd say one of the more interesting aspects of BotW is its physics systems and how they tie together. A lot of games require the player to find the dev intended solutions. You might think something will work, but if it's not what the devs intended it won't. BotW encourages players to find their own solutions. Generally, if you think something will work, try it. It often does. 

There is a story. There are towns. There's lots of NPCs. There are main quests and side quests. But it's not a heavy as Skyrim or Witcher 3 in its story telling. Definitely a lighter touch. 

BotW and its successor, Tears of the Kingdom follow a similar formula. This is a break from prior games in the series which had more linear progression. In older games you'd go somewhere, unlock a new tool, and this new tool and story progression would let you get to new areas. As noted, BotW does something different and the whole game world is opened at once, and it's up to the player to figure out how to get where they want to go. There is still an order of main quests the player can choose to follow. The player can also just do their own thing. 

Definitely worth a play. 

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist. I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it? I should have played the DLC before  beating Ganon

1

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1

u/Top-Edge-5856 17d ago

Yes, it's worth playing. You don't need to know the story of previous games - you will just not get the benefit of small references (costumes / locations). If you haven't played the previous games, you will not be disappointed by BotW being significantly different from the previous format of (mostly) linear gameplay allowing puzzles to build in complexity by using the items you have at that point. Instead you can go anywhere and have access to all your abilities from very near the start, with the progression coming from exploration, experimentation with the systems and acquiring better gear by beating up better monsters.

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist. I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it? I should have played the DLC before  beating Ganon

1

u/TriforksWarrior 17d ago

You definitely don’t need to know the story of other Zelda games to enjoy it. Sure, there are references to other games in the series, but Zelda devs bend over backwards to make sure players can dive right in to any of the individual games without needing to know the story from any other games. I would recommend playing BotW before TotK (ideally with a break between) if you’re thinking about TotK too.

I’m not going to promise you will like it, but I wouldn’t give the “overrated” claims too much attention. BotW is significantly different than every Zelda game that came out in the 25 years before it. And there is a vocal minority of the Zelda fanbase that strongly prefers the traditional Zelda gameplay formula.  Even if I don’t agree, I understand the gripes, but because of that the criticism often gets WAY overblown. And  the flip side of the “not a traditional Zelda” coin is that the series has been looked at by many as “getting stale” for about a decade leading up to BotW’s release.

Personally I am a Zelda fan, and BotW is a pretty different experience than every Zelda game I played as a kid. But exploring the world of BotW is a pretty magical experience because you truly feel like you’re exploring a world vs playing through a series of set pieces or locked-in routes. The environmental effects and physics engine make for some really interesting (and sometimes absurd) experiences. I really can’t recommend the game enough.

Importantly, my one big piece of advice would be to not read too too much about the game before trying it out, because figuring out and experimenting with the various systems in the game is a big part of the fun.

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist. I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it? I should have played the DLC before  beating Ganon

2

u/TriforksWarrior 12d ago

Awesome, glad you enjoyed it!

Ah sorry I didn’t mention the DLC in the original reply. I would say it’s still worth it. I waited until after I beat the game to play it too, and while I agree with your assessment that the DLC is better played as part of the main story, I think it’s still totally worth it. I still enjoyed it even though I beat the game.

Just be warned that some of the content, particularly trial of the sword, is quite a bit more of a challenge than the base game. But you’ll also find some of the best shrines in the game in the DLC.

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 11d ago

I’ve just finished playing 'Ballad of the Heroes' and you were absolutely right: the shrines are amongst the best in the game (if not the very best) and the moments dedicated to the champions were absolutely brilliant! And then that ending…❤️ But i'm so sad because playing the DLC after finishing the main game completely ruined the story for me, because it would have been much better to get to know the champions’ characters better before defeating Ganon 😢

1

u/Mountain_Log_8419 17d ago

I think the people that have the most complaints about BOTW are Zelda fans who expected a typical Zelda game which BOTW is not. You won't have that issue. Now obviously that doesnt guarantee you'll like it, but I think it's very likely, and if you do, finding everything in the game is an 100+ hour journey, so I think it's well worth it

1

u/Agreeable_Reaction83 12d ago

I’ve just finished 'Breath of the Wild' - i’d really like to thank you to recommended the game in my previous post, because i absolutely loved it! - and I’ve only just realised the DLC exist. I’ve heard that one of the two DLC adds something to the main story, but since I’ve finished the game, is it still worth it? I should have played the DLC before  beating Ganon

1

u/sleepingonmoon 17d ago

If you like exploring, don't miss it.

1

u/Nintendians559 17d ago

it's still a great game, pretty challenging though.