There are plenty of hazards inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildthat can cost Link his life if unprepared. These range from powerful monsters and disguised Yiga to inhospitable environments, issues that are typically overcome through a combination of equipment and simple experience. Naturally,BOTWis far from unique in incorporating these types of issues into its gameplay. But even so, what is arguably the most frequent cause of death for Link in the game reveals some interesting facts about the development ofBOTW.
As is the case in most video games, death is little more than a learning experience inBreath of the Wild. Although some progress through a given area may be lost, Link will not lose anything in his inventory as a penalty. This is a veryconvenient feature inBOTWwhich allows people to confront all of the game’s challenges with little hesitation. Of course, it is also worth noting that there are also some veryentertaining ways for Link to die inBOTW, where any frustration is eased by the sheer spectacle of the deadly situation.
BOTW Caused Link To Die A Lot
The Game Presents A Hyrule Full Of Deadly Threats
From the very outset,there are near-countless ways for Link to perish inBreath of the Wild. For example, simply exploring the Great Plateau can lead to encounters with a Stone Talus and an immobile Guardian, either of which can easily kill somebody unfamiliar with them. Beyond this, the army of monsters occupying every corner of Hyrule can easily overcome Link at any point in the game, especially as each new variety requires new tactics to defeat. Although with that being said, as Link’s health increases and his available equipment improves, he can likewise face more monsters with greater ease.
Also of note is the way that the natural environment can be as much of a hindrance to Link as any of its inhabitants. Various areas of Hyrule, such as Hebra and Death Mountain, require special measures simply to ensure that the temperature alone doesn’t slowly kill Link. Most notably, before obtaining specialized armor, the only way for Link to resist extreme temperatures is with elixirs. However, these effects are temporary, and if one runs out of elixirs (especially during combat), the consequences can easily be fatal.
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Ultimately,preparation is often the difference between life and deathfor Link. Although the game is more optimistic than most depictions of the genre, the landscape ofHyrule is undoubtedly post-apocalyptic inBOTW, and it still harbors all the dangers that made it that way. As a result, it is particularly easy for a new player to die in the early stages of the game. However, even those who are more experienced inBOTWcan fall prey to bad luck, as well as some features that are challenging regardless of when somebody decides to attempt them.
Zelda Devs Explained Which Mechanic Killed Most Players
BOTW’s Sheikah Towers Are Surprisingly Deadly Constructions
Although individual experiences with any part ofBreath of the Wildcan naturally vary, it seems that one of the game’s most prominent features is also its deadliest. In an interview withThe Vergeshortly after the game’s release, director Hidemaro Fujibayashi revealed that testing the game revealed thatscaling Sheikah Towers can be a particularly challenging experience. Although activating the towers is technically optional, the fact that they unlock the game’s map does mean that most people are still motivated to at least attempt to climb them all.
Examining Sheikah Towers in detail quickly reveals why they can be so deadly. Fujibayashi noted that“a lot of people were falling off the towers,”which is unsurprising given that most of them are covered in dangerous elements. Hazards likepools of Malice and nearby enemies can easily harm Link if he gets too closeand make him fall. For example, Akkala Tower is surrounded by Malice that stretches partway up the tower, and Central Tower is surrounded by Decayed Guardians which fire at Link; both towers are particularly difficult for many people, including myself.
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Another point to keep in mind is that climbing a Shekah Tower can take a lot of Stamina, which is particularly true for those that are more hazardous due to enemies or other environmental factors. As such,the longer one takes to find a safe route upward, the greater the risk of running out of Staminaand falling as a result. This in itself is not a particularlyunfair feature inBOTW, but it is still clear how it can contribute to Link dying. In fact, experiences like these were among the biggest reasons I had for making stamina potions.
Why Zelda Devs Didn’t Tweak The Difficulty In BOTW
Sheikah Towers Help Teach Players How To Approach The Game
Although repeatedly falling off a Sheikah Tower and dying can be frustrating to a player, the developers ultimately decided not to change the difficulty of climbing them. When the pattern of deadly falls was first noted, there were changes made to the design to make them easier to climb. In the end, however, the repeated falling was not seen as an inherently negative experience, and according to Fujibyashi the developers decided that there was“kind of a fun to be had from falling and dying”instead.
No matter how difficult a given Sheikah Tower may be to climb, it is actually possible to bypass any hazards and rapidly reach the top of the tower by using Revali’s Gale instead of climbing it normally.
The fact that Sheikah Towers can be so deadly to the unwary was also deemed a valuable learning experience within the larger context of the game. As some ofBOTW’s most recognizable landmarks, in combination with their contributions to the game map, Sheikah Towers will attract the vast majority of people in any playthrough outside of someinterestingBOTWchallenge runs. As a result, the fact that they emphasize a level of caution means that many will see how taking such an approach to the game can make progression easier.
Despite the many monsters that Calamity Ganon has filled Hyrule with, it is ironic that one of the kingdom’s most deadly features are the very same structures that help Link in his quest to save it. Due to the variety of their designs, Sheikah Towers can collectively kill Link in dozens of ways. However, this also teaches people to embrace both caution and persistence while playingThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, lessons that can then easily be applied to the rest of the game.
