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Why 'Zelda: Breath of the Wild' Is the Perfect Game for Staying at Home

Enjoy the wilderness without leaving the couch

By Charlie Sorrel Charlie Sorrel Senior Tech Reporter Charlie Sorrel has been writing about technology, and its effects on society and the planet, for 13 years. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 25, 2021 01:26PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Gaming Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming

Key Takeaways

Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a video game for the Nintendo Switch.The game features a completely open world, with weather, animals, and beautiful landscapes.You even get a camera for snapping selfies. Nintendo Not only is Zelda: Breath of the Wild possibly the best video game ever created, but it is also 100% the best way to escape lockdown without going outside. Imagine spending a few hours exploring mountain peaks or watching the sunset burn across wetlands as local birds wade by. Maybe you hunt some boar, take a wild horse for a gallop over the plains, or just wander, camping out and cooking over a fire, or take a selfie in front of the distant rainbow that appears after a storm. That is the world of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Breath of the Wild is an adventure role-playing game (RPG) on the Nintendo Switch. It’s the latest in a decades-long line of Zelda games, but this one is different. Widely regarded as the best video game ever made, Breath of the Wild takes place in a completely open world. There are missions aplenty, including the age-old (and still problematic) goal of rescuing Princess Zelda, but you don’t have to complete any of them. The environments are so beautifully immersive, so real in their behavior, that the simplified, almost cartoonish visuals work perfectly.

The Bits in Between

In regular RPG games, you might try to get to the next challenge as soon as possible. The bits in between are just that—little more than spacers for more exciting sections—and they are often boring. In Zelda, these bits-in-between are the game. I’ve been playing for months now, and while the challenges and missions are beautifully designed, and a lot of fun, it’s the world, itself, that is the main draw. Partly this is down to the open nature of the game. Not only can you wander aimlessly, but the game almost encourages it. There’s no little creature nudging you towards your goals, like some kind of fairy Clippy. Also, exploring is rewarded. Not just with discoveries of treasure, but with the discovery of the game's incredible design. You even get a camera early in the game that can take selfies.

The Beautiful Game

Screenshots do no justice to Breath of the Wild. To really get the appeal, you need to see the game in action. The environments vary, as in most games, with a hot lava region, a forest, open plains, and so on. But these landscapes are also home to wildlife, and they react to the weather. In the wetlands, you see wading birds native to the region, and when the late-afternoon sun reemerges after a thunderstorm, its light reflects off the wet land. Wind also rushes across the plains, ruffling grass, and spreading fire if you’re not careful with your cooking. The weather is highly interactive. Put your metal weapons away during a thunderstorm, unless you want to get all Cape Fear. Rocky cliffs are too slippery to climb during rainstorms, and, occasionally, the day darkens so much that you just want to hide up somewhere with a nice fire. Even the animals behave as you’d expect. A wild boar will ignore you, or run away as you approach. If you get too close, though, it may attack. Wolves, found in the barren lands near the forest region, will sneak up on you in groups, but if you attack one, the others scatter. Nintendo As I mentioned, screenshots aren’t enough. The game’s graphics may be technically inferior to the best PC games, but who cares? The environments are so beautifully immersive, so real in their behavior, that the simplified, almost cartoonish visuals work perfectly. It’s like comparing a watercolor painting with a forensic photograph. If you already have a Nintendo Switch, then you should buy this game. If you don’t have a Switch, then it is worth getting one just for Breath of the Wild. It really is that good. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review: An Beautifully Designed RPG for the Switch How to Get the Master Sword in Zelda: Breath of the Wild How to Transfer Save Data Between Users on the Switch The 9 Best Nintendo Switch Games, Tested by Lifewire How to Find, Tame, and Care for Horses and Mounts in Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Ultimate Guide to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Recipes How to Cook in Zelda: Breath of the Wild Link’s Awakening Review: A Refreshing Throwback in the Zelda Franchise The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Kids' Games, Tested by Lifewire How to Defeat a Lynel in Zelda: BOTW Immortals Fenyx Rising Review: A Greek Hero In An Open World How to Find and Use the Best Weapons in Zelda: BOTW The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Review: An Immersive Role-Playing Game for the Switch How to Make Elixirs in Zelda: BOTW How to Unlock All Captured Memories in Zelda: Breath of the Wild Pokemon Sword/Shield Review: A Culmination of Complacency Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies