the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

I read an article earlier today that was claiming to rank recent open world games by map size, and they said that its bigger than The Witcher 3. That's impressive.

I can believe that. But my comment is more about the density of the world; there's so much stuff to do, it's daunting. And it's all engaging and is rarely busywork, unlike Ubisoft's "collect feathers EVERYWHERE" stuff.

What really impresses me about Zelda is that all the content is bite-sized. You can complete a single shrine and feel satisfied and shut it off for a while, or you can go do four in a row. The game is just as fulfilling in smaller chunks as it is in marathon playthroughs. That's really impressive.

Nintendo is still the best game developer on the planet.

I sold my WiiU right before this came out. And now the Switch seems to be very hard to find. Sounds like I'll have to buy a Switch just to play this game. Maybe by the time I'm done with Horizon Zero Dawn, I'll be able to find a Switch.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

I sold my WiiU right before this came out. And now the Switch seems to be very hard to find. Sounds like I'll have to buy a Switch just to play this game. Maybe by the time I'm done with Horizon Zero Dawn, I'll be able to find a Switch.

You need to find it as soon as possible. This is my game of the year, and I think everyone else's once they've had time to digest.

"Desides wrote:

You need to find it as soon as possible. This is my game of the year, and I think everyone else's once they've had time to digest.

Did you play Horizon Zero Dawn? People are raving about that! But this one too. I'd like to talk to someone who played both to find out which they liked better.

Any hints where to get a switch? Just the console? I'm not willing to get gouged on some Gamestop bundle with a bunch of other crap I don't need. I need the console, zelda and then it's gonna collect dust until the next Mario game comes out.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

Did you play Horizon Zero Dawn? People are raving about that! But this one too. I'd like to talk to someone who played both to find out which they liked better.

I haven't, and there's no need. I'm sure Horizon Zero Dawn is a very good game. But BOTW is a juggernaut that sweeps all challengers aside. H0D is one of the best games on the PS4; BOTW is one of the best games of all time.

BOTW also scores higher on reviews, if that helps.

Any hints where to get a switch? Just the console? I'm not willing to get gouged on some Gamestop bundle with a bunch of other crap I don't need. I need the console, zelda and then it's gonna collect dust until the next Mario game comes out.

Sign up for alerts at Now In Stock. That's all I can suggest. If you're really desperate, find a used Wii U and play it that way.

Next Mario game is due out on April 28, if you count Mario Kart as a Mario game. Otherwise, Super Mario Odyssey is due out in November-ish.

"Desides wrote:

I haven't, and there's no need. I'm sure Horizon Zero Dawn is a very good game. But BOTW is a juggernaut that sweeps all challengers aside. H0D is one of the best games on the PS4; BOTW is one of the best games of all time.

BOTW also scores higher on reviews, if that helps.

Sign up for alerts at Now In Stock. That's all I can suggest. If you're really desperate, find a used Wii U and play it that way.

Next Mario game is due out on April 28, if you count Mario Kart as a Mario game. Otherwise, Super Mario Odyssey is due out in November-ish.

Both of these games have awaken me from my video game hibernation that has lasted almost a year. And it's because I've heard BOTH described as possibly greatest games the people who have played them ever played. I'm excited. And if I had my choice, I'd play BOTW first, but I'm not willing to jump through hoops to get a Switch. I'm sick of Nintendo's fake supply shortages. Hopefully by the time I finish Horizon, the Switch can be easily located at retail price in non bundle format. If not, I'll keep waiting.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

I'm sick of Nintendo's fake supply shortages.

They aren't fake. They've sold almost 3 million in 2 months. It's the fastest selling Nintendo console in history.

And Nintendo is now teasing that they have games in the lineup that will sell even more systems. Guessing we'll hear about them at or around E3.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

Both of these games have awaken me from my video game hibernation that has lasted almost a year. And it's because I've heard BOTH described as possibly greatest games the people who have played them ever played. I'm excited. And if I had my choice, I'd play BOTW first, but I'm not willing to jump through hoops to get a Switch. I'm sick of Nintendo's fake supply shortages. Hopefully by the time I finish Horizon, the Switch can be easily located at retail price in non bundle format. If not, I'll keep waiting.

Gamestop just received stock for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe release.

"Desides wrote:

Gamestop just received stock for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe release.

Thanks for the heads up! I didn't have any interest in the bundle but I was able to get the console and BOTW today at Toys 'R Us. Either I got lucky or they are getting easier to find! I wish I didn't start Horizon yesterday. I hate stopping a game after I start.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

Thanks for the heads up! I didn't have any interest in the bundle but I was able to get the console and BOTW today at Toys 'R Us. Either I got lucky or they are getting easier to find! I wish I didn't start Horizon yesterday. I hate stopping a game after I start.

Congrats! And don't worry, BOTW will make you forget all about H0D.

Revisiting - In a move that probably would have deeply disappointed Desides, I ended up selling the Switch that I bought back in April along with the copy of BOTW. I didn't even flip it for cash, just pretty much what I bought it for because it was collecting dust while I finished up Horizon Zero Dawn. Then I played Call of Duty WWII for half a second and got started on Destiny 2 which kept me busy for a couple of months.

Fast forward to Christmas and my wife's parents bought the kids a Switch and I got them Mario Kart and Odyssey. A few days later I got BoTW Explorer Edition on sale at Walmart.

Desides - you were right. One of the best games ever and Horizon Zero Dawn pales in comparison. I'm glad it played out as it did, because if I had started this game in April I would have ended up inside all summer long playing this game. I'd much rather be locked into it during these cold winter months, although at the pace I'm going I might still be playing come summer.

I'm glad you got to play it. It is absolutely amazing. And as good as it is… you can just see how the next Zelda game would improve on the experience. I cannot wait to play BOTW+ or whatever the next game is. It's just amazing.

BOTW and NieR: Automata are the only two real choices for 2017 GOTW, IMO. Persona 5 is a distant third.

Just a random question, but does the "regular" controller make a huge difference with the game? I messed around with it at Best Buy a few weeks ago (the first time I'd seen or touched a Switch in person) and could not really get a handle on how to even use the other controllers. They're clearly designed for small children, and were awkward as anything. Not planning on buying a Switch, just curious.

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

Just a random question, but does the "regular" controller make a huge difference with the game? I messed around with it at Best Buy a few weeks ago (the first time I'd seen or touched a Switch in person) and could not really get a handle on how to even use the other controllers. They're clearly designed for small children, and were awkward as anything. Not planning on buying a Switch, just curious.

I’ve been playing with the controller it comes with and have had no trouble. I’m sure the pro controller is better but I find the joycons attached to the grip it comes with to be just fine. I’m also shocked at how much I enjoy playing it in portable form.

I also had no intention of buying a switch but I can say BoTW alone makes it a worthwhile purchase. I haven’t played Oddyssey yet but between that and a smash brothers title whenever it comes and I’ll more than have my money’s worth. Oh yeah, my kids love it too. It is theirs after all...

I think that my kids would enjoy playing it on its portable form. They were enamoured by it at the store, but we aren't buying one just yet. Maybe in a year. They love tablets, and my older daughter (age 6) is just starting to play Lego games on the PS4 with me.

For me though, that's just too foreign to think of doing anything beyond a traditional controller. I need the Dual Shock in my hand, looking up at my 55" TV.

"Desides wrote:

I'm glad you got to play it. It is absolutely amazing. And as good as it is… you can just see how the next Zelda game would improve on the experience. I cannot wait to play BOTW+ or whatever the next game is. It's just amazing.

BOTW and NieR: Automata are the only two real choices for 2017 GOTW, IMO. Persona 5 is a distant third.

I liked H:ZD and Persona 5 a little better than Zelda (WiiU). I certainly would rather replay the former two over Zelda, though I enjoyed Zelda quite a bit.

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

Just a random question, but does the "regular" controller make a huge difference with the game? I messed around with it at Best Buy a few weeks ago (the first time I'd seen or touched a Switch in person) and could not really get a handle on how to even use the other controllers. They're clearly designed for small children, and were awkward as anything. Not planning on buying a Switch, just curious.

The joycons are too small for my hands. I used the Pro controller. Made a huge difference for me.

"Stitches wrote:

Game of the year or not, I do wish I could swap the sprint and sneak buttons.

I finally bought a switch to play this and I am not disappointed at all. I've played for 30 hours and I'm nowhere close to being done(30 shrines and 2 divine beasts freed). This is my only complaint with the game so far because I'm heavy handed with the controller.

My older daughter turns 9 in two months, and desperately wants a Switch so that she can play Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Mario games and Splatoon. Shes become obsessed with watching Youtube videos about them during the Pandemic. We'll see if we can get our hands on one by then, with production starting back up. If we do, then I'll likely eventually pick up Zelda for my wife and I as well.

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

My older daughter turns 9 in two months, and desperately wants a Switch so that she can play Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Mario games and Splatoon. Shes become obsessed with watching Youtube videos about them during the Pandemic. We'll see if we can get our hands on one by then, with production starting back up. If we do, then I'll likely eventually pick up Zelda for my wife and I as well.

It's awesome. Finally started it a couple months ago and it's been an obsession.

"invid wrote:

It's awesome. Finally started it a couple months ago and it's been an obsession.

If we can get a Switch before then, I'll likely buy it as a gift for my wife for the holidays, and then play it myself too. :knucks:

I ordered a Switch today on Amazon, along with Animal crossing for my kids, Mario Kart for the whole family, and Zelda for my wife and I. Looking forward to playing it later. We're making it a holiday gift for the family.

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

I ordered a Switch today on Amazon, along with Animal crossing for my kids, Mario Kart for the whole family, and Zelda for my wife and I. Looking forward to playing it later. We're making it a holiday gift for the family.

There's a lot of systems to learn in Breath of the Wild, and you start off very vulnerable with not a lot of resources.

Stick with it! I think I enjoyed the first half of the game more because of these things. It really does make you feel like you're alone and you have to fend for yourself.

"invid wrote:

There's a lot of systems to learn in Breath of the Wild, and you start off very vulnerable with not a lot of resources.

Stick with it! I think I enjoyed the first half of the game more because of these things. It really does make you feel like you're alone and you have to fend for yourself.

Crossing my fingers that the USB adapter I bought will allow me to use my PS4 controllers! That should make a world of difference. Otherwise, I'll have to suck it up and shell out the $60 for the Pro Switch one.

I haven't played a Zelda game since Wind Waker. I put a lot of time into it, but it was brutally difficult, and even on easy mode, I eventually gave up on it and never finished. I've also watched my wife my Majora's Mask, and large chunks of Twilight Princess, though she didn't finish that one either.

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

Crossing my fingers that the USB adapter I bought will allow me to use my PS4 controllers! That should make a world of difference. Otherwise, I'll have to suck it up and shell out the $60 for the Pro Switch one.

I haven't played a Zelda game since Wind Waker. I put a lot of time into it, but it was brutally difficult, and even on easy mode, I eventually gave up on it and never finished. I've also watched my wife my Majora's Mask, and large chunks of Twilight Princess, though she didn't finish that one either.

My best piece of advice to you is use your magic. One spell, Stasis, is a staple of melee combat. You'll need to learn the ins and outs of each larger monster, like Hinoxes, Taluses, etc. as you fight them. You'll learn their "rotations" and their quirks, when to Stasis and which arrows to use. Lynels are better off being taken on mid-game and they drop awesome weapons, bows, and shields that can be used against other Lynels.

Be resourceful. It might be tempting to use your strongest weapon, bow, and shield all of the time but I often did the opposite so I could stockpile strong stuff.

Your main enemy in the beginning will be the cold. Explore a majority of the starting area before you head to the colder section of said starting area. So as to not spoil anything... there's an item that will make that section easier.

There's also a science behind the cooking mechanic, but you can learn that through experimentation. I haven't had to eat much food in this game, however, outside of boss battles.

My last suggestion to you would be to do the Zora section of the story first, without going into much detail. The end provides a benefit that will help you on the survivability front. Feel free to PM me if you're having any particular problems, there's lots of little tips and tricks I may be able to offer you that will make it easier for you.

Lastly, good luck with the controller. BotW's control layout is one of the worst I've played with just how foreign and counter-intuitive it is to every other open world game I've played. I may be alone in that. You get used to it if you played it as much, consecutively, as I did, but my criticism still stands.

Edit: Also, one more thing. Use your map markers. Define each symbol for your own needs and mark things like special monster spawning spots and rare resource spots. This really helped me navigate upgrading later in the game.