How do you follow up a masterpiece? It’s a question many artists face, and it’s what Nintendo must ask while developing the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Breath of the Wild was a revolutionary title for the Zelda series and the open-world genre. The, “go anywhere, climb anything” approach was the breath of fresh air (pun intended) the franchise needed, and it is widely regarded as one of the greatest Zelda games of all time (and the best game on Nintendo Switch.) The reveal of Breath of the Wild 2 was Nintendo’s big announcement to cap off its Nintendo Direct for E3 2019, but the trailer told us very little about what to expect from our next trip to Hyrule.
I don’t believe it’s enough for the sequel to just give us more of the same. Breath of the Wild was special because of how fresh and new it felt, so a game too similar likely wouldn’t have the same effect– we’ve already been there, and done that. In fact, people are still discovering exciting secrets in Breath of the Wild, like figuring out that Lurelin Village is clearly inspired by Wind Waker’s Outset Island.
After all, the reason many fans got tired of the 3D Zelda games is because they followed the same formula for so long. Nintendo can avoid similar fatigue with Breath of the Wild 2 with some kind of unique hook; let’s look to history to see what kind of direction the publisher could go in.
After ‘Ocarina’, The Moon Fell
It’s hard to ignore the comparisons being drawn between Majora’s Mask and Breath of the Wild 2. We already know that Breath of the Wild’s sequel is not directly related to the N64 classic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t take the same approach when it comes to following up the franchise’s newest masterpiece. After all, Majora’s Mask borrowed the assets and engine from Ocarina of Time, the generational classic that came before it.
Breath of the Wild 2 is doing the same thing, but- according to the only trailer we’ve seen- it appears to be set in the same world as the original Breath of the Wild. The only other Zelda game to reuse an overworld was A Link Between Worlds, but that was 20 years after A Link to the Past. With the same engine, assets, and overworld, the Breath of the Wild sequel has to find a way to differentiate itself despite its similarities.
Majora’s Mask stood apart from its predecessor in a number of ways. The dark, haunting tone, the three-day time limit, and the way different masks allowed for a variety of gameplay styles gave Majora’s Mask a completely unique identity, even though it looked almost identical to Ocarina of Time. The mask itself is one of the most recognizable icons in the Zelda franchise, and that’s thanks to the risks the team took during Majora’s development.
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Our first look at Breath of the Wild 2 paints a very grim picture of Hyrule, as we watch Link and Zelda trudge through a sewer crawling with rats and reawakened mummies. Breath of the Wild Producer Eiji Aonuma has commented on the sequel’s dark nature, saying that the upcoming title is, “currently a little darker” than Majora’s Mask. This is a promising first step: a tonal shift is a great way to forge a new identity, especially after the idyllic, peaceful vibe of the first game.
Same Map, New World
Often, sequels feature larger, more expansive worlds than their predecessors, but Breath of the Wild’s overworld is already huge. The key to success for Breath of the Wild 2’s world will be density, not size. Fans recently discovered how beautiful Breath of the Wild’s underwater areas are, but they’re practically unexplorable. Opening these areas up to the player would make the world feel even more open and accessible, without making the map itself any larger.
Additionally, we don’t yet know how much time has passed between the original Breath of the Wild and its sequel. Zelda is sporting a new haircut, which is traditionally (especially in anime) a trope used to convey the passage of time. Hopefully, it’s been long enough to give Link and Zelda the opportunity to rebuild Hyrule, meaning new towns, attractions, and landmarks to explore. It would not only be a great way to see what’s new in the world we spent countless hours in during the first game, but a smart way to make the world feel more alive.
The question that seems to be on everybody’s minds, though, is if we’ll get to play as Zelda in this game. That would be a great new twist on the Breath of the Wild formula, and it could open up tons of new gameplay possibilities. Imagine a fully realized moveset completely unique from Link’s, focused on magic like Din’s Fire and Nayru’s Love from Ocarina of Time.
Of course, there is plenty more Nintendo might do to freshen the next Breath of the Wild. Dungeon design that returns to the earlier 3D Zelda games, the reintroduction of some fan-favorite items, and more varied enemy design would definitely be great additions, if not groundbreaking ones. But ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see what direction the developers choose.
I trust that Nintendo will deliver something remarkable with Breath of the Wild 2– after all, there’s a reason the Zelda series has survived for over 30 years. The stories and moments we experienced in Breath of the Wild all felt deeply personal, and I hope some of that DNA carries over to the sequel. But, I hope this game will also take risks and pursue new ideas, because that’s how it will cement itself as something truly special.
Logan Plant is a freelancer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant
