Open-world games are a dime a dozen, and massive worlds can be found in a variety game genres and franchises. The Grand Theft Auto series always features a huge, open-world map in each game. The Witcher series, Borderlands 4, Red Dead Redemption 2, Fallout 76, Cyberpunk 2077, and Ghost of Tsushima are just a few incredible open-world games in the ocean of what’s available.
In recent years, many hardcore gamers have praised Elden Ring as one of the best games ever made. This Soulsborne game not only won Game of the Year, but also had its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion nominated for the award in 2024. It’s hard to deny that Elden Ring is incredible, with unique builds for the player to choose from, challenging difficulty, and George R. R. Martin helping with its worldbuilding. But while it may be amazing, it’s not the greatest open-world game of the last decade.
Breath of the Wild Brought New Life to The Legend of Zelda
Image via Nintendo
When it comes to gaming franchises that have proven their longevity, The Legend of Zelda is at the top of the pack. Ever since it debuted in 1986, the series has consistently wowed gamers. Fans have heated arguments over the best game in the Zelda franchise, and while Breath of the Wild may not be everyone’s favorite, it’s hard to deny what it did for the franchise and for open-world games in general.
Part of why Zelda has endured so long is the franchise’s willingness to reinvent itself, and Breath of the Wild helped refresh and modernize the series. It features a massive open world that players can explore as much or as little as they want. There isn’t necessarily a “linear path” to take, but there are clear enough objectives that players can choose to forgo extensive exploration to bee-line for those critical areas if they want to.
That said, exploring will deliver plenty of benefits. Players will discover shrines that will challenge their puzzle-solving and combat skills and help players level up their health and stamina. Considering Link starts with basically nothing, these level-ups are key to ensuring a smooth gaming experience. Players will also uncover new and better armor, weapons, rupees, and resources that will help them throughout the game, like ingredients for cooking life-saving meals.
There are side quests that offer more story and better rewards, but players can also completely ignore side quests in favor of the main story. They also have the freedom to complete most of the main story in whatever order they want to. As Link explores the open world of Hyrule and progresses through the story, he’ll unlock more of his lost memories, which gives players a reason to keep pushing forward.
One of the most impressive parts of Breath of the Wild is that it appeals to both long-term Zelda fans and people who have never played a Zelda game before. BotW does fit into the overarching story of the franchise, but the way it sets up the story is very friendly to new players. At the beginning of the game, players wake up in the Shrine of Resurrection. A century prior, Princess Zelda placed Link inside the healing chamber in the Shrine of Resurrection after he sustained a deadly injury at the hands of Ganon.
Ganon laid waste to Hyrule and even went as far as to possess Hyrule’s Guardians and Divine Beasts. His control over these powerful figures gave him the edge to take control of Hyrule. To stall his destruction, Zelda used her power to seal herself and Ganon inside Hyrule Castle, where they have been for a century, while Link slept in the healing chamber. However, her strategy didn’t stop Ganon’s power entirely, as Hyrule is still dealing with the corrupted Divine Beasts and the Blood Moon cycle, which resurrects all fallen enemies.
When Link wakes up, he doesn’t remember much, and since he has amnesia, it doesn’t actually matter if the player knows anything about Zelda lore or not. The game gives them the information they need to understand the events of the Great Calamity that happened 100 years prior. This helps set the tone for the rest of the game, but players learn the truth as Link does. Every memory he recovers is another piece of the puzzle answered, making for a fulfilling gaming experience. It also delivers an immersive experience because it truly feels like the player can step into Link’s shoes, since they’re learning everything at the same time as he is.
Breath of the Wild’s Open-World Is the Best of All Time
Image via Nintendo
There are so many things about Breath of the Wild that deserve praise. The story is compelling, the characters are lovable, the gameplay is fun and challenging, and there is potentially hundreds of hours of content packed into the game. All that said, one of the best parts of this incredible game is the open world itself. Many open-world games focus on realistic and high-def graphics, but BotW sports a more whimsical art style that suits the Zelda franchise, and it makes it stand out from other titles in the genre.
It may not look as gritty and intimidating as Elden Ring or as realistic as Red Dead Redemption 2. However, even though BotW’s world is bright and colorful, it still has plenty of segments that leave the player feeling uneasy or even afraid of what might be waiting for them up ahead as night rolls in. Players can be walking along a brightly lit open field and still feel unsafe. There’s nothing quite like the first time a player comes in contact with a Decayed Guardian, mistakes it for being rubble, and then realizes that it has a powerful laser that will likely kill Link in a single hit.
The sheer size of BotW’s map is impressive, but it’s not the only reason to praise the game’s exploration. Link experiences multiple cultures as he explores Hyrule, and he must learn how to interact with each culture in a respectful manner. Key locations like Hateno Village, Goron City, and Gerudo Town all have their own beliefs, customs, and ways of interacting with outsiders. This gives Hyrule the feeling that it is extremely diverse and filled with people who all face unique struggles and worries, while, at the same time, still being affected by the lingering effects of the Great Calamity.
In addition to different cultures and customs, Link will also need to be prepared for different environments. Wandering into Death Mountain, the volcano area, requires Link to obtain fireproof armor, and to obtain it, he must get to the main town near the volcano, Goron City. Even getting to Goron City puts Link at risk of taking damage from the extreme heat, so players will need to be mindful of how they get to the city.
Likewise, venturing into cold areas like Mount Lanayru and the Naydra Snowfield will also require the player to have specific armor or consumables to keep Link from freezing to death. Admittedly, this can be a somewhat frustrating mechanic, as it forces players to farm for the proper equipment before they can traverse certain areas, but it does make the world far more realistic.
The open-world exploration is realistic, challenging, and rewarding all at once. There are some mechanics that can slow down progress, like the way climbing becomes more difficult when it rains. Link constantly loses his grip on climbable surfaces, causing him to slide back down. Not to mention, Link will have to unlock certain abilities by progressing through the story and shrines to easily reach certain areas.
At the same time, these details are what make Breath of the Wild’s open world immersive and realistic. The challenge of exploring the world, avoiding or beating the countless enemies littered throughout the world, and finding treasures is much more rewarding because the player has to overcome obstacles at every turn. Every reward and every new location uncovered truly feels like all the hard work has paid off.
Released
March 3, 2017
ESRB
E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes
Developer(s)
Nintendo EPD
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
Havok
Cross-Platform Play
no
Cross Save
no
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes