Calling for Zelda fans who played both BoTW and Elden Ring

[SaintBalor]

The first time I played it, I absolutely adored Breath of the Wild... I think its approach to world design will prove to be a turning point in open-world games, and I believe we've already seen its influence in many recent games. One thing that struck me about Elden Ring is that it has an extremely similar approach to the open world as BoTW in how there is always something interesting hidden wherever you go. Miyazaki being a master of environmental storytelling, it's no wonder Elden Ring iterates and improves on a standard that Zelda set before it.

As much as I love it, with the problems I had with it, I can't really see myself replaying BoTW, but I completely see myself restarting Elden Ring in NG+ or even a completely different build.

Still, I'm curious to see how you see these games and what you think each does better or worse, and how they compare in your eyes

[Dagný]

What if I'm a zelda fan who doesn't like breath of the wild? I Could not play more than 30 hours, I'll never understand why people keep bringing this game when discussing every other open world game.

[[-iD-]]

botw's weapon system is lacking.

[Yagger]

Originally posted by -iD-:

botw's weapon system is lacking.

the lack of monster variety is lacking

[Funpire]

Originally posted by SaintBalor:

The first time I played it, I absolutely adored Breath of the Wild... I think its approach to world design will prove to be a turning point in open-world games, and I believe we've already seen its influence in many recent games. One thing that struck me about Elden Ring is that it has an extremely similar approach to the open world as BoTW in how there is always something interesting hidden wherever you go. Miyazaki being a master of environmental storytelling, it's no wonder Elden Ring iterates and improves on a standard that Zelda set before it.

As much as I love it, with the problems I had with it, I can't really see myself replaying BoTW, but I completely see myself restarting Elden Ring in NG+ or even a completely different build.

Still, I'm curious to see how you see these games and what you think each does better or worse, and how they compare in your eyes

I never finished BOTW or cared to pick it back up. The item break mechanic was just too much. It really wasn't that great of a game. It had a lot of good things going for it sure, but I found it too large, too micromanaging, with too much to do at any given time. Also the master sword... on a timer.

Seems to me that if you take a good game like Zelda or Dark Souls and just make it open world people blow their own minds more than anything actually ground breaking.

Don't get me wrong, both are great games and offer the player a lot for the money, but that's about all they do.

That said, OOT was the best Zelda game ever. Even better than BOTW. Also, Zelda has been open world for a long, long, long time.

[Kerrack]

Originally posted by Funpire:

That said, Majora's Mask was the best Zelda game ever.

Fixed it for you.

[TaterTot]

You should not be comparing 2 completely different games.
Any Zelda fan will tell you how bad BotW is....
You want a good zelda game you go OOT or Majora'sMask. But OOT is by far the best zelda game and still one of the best games of all time.

[Timbermaw]

Elden ring has more replayability with the different weapons, classes, PVP, the hidden quests and areas (if you are not a casual who uses guides).
But BOTW is a great and the most original open world after years of ubisoft tier garbage games of this genre. But like op I don't see myself replaying it very much since there's no difference from one playthrough to the next. The main issue I have with it is that it's somewhat easy.

[SaintBalor]

Originally posted by Dahlia Hawthorne:

What if I'm a zelda fan who doesn't like breath of the wild? I Could not play more than 30 hours, I'll never understand why people keep bringing this game when discussing every other open world game.

I personally find the conversation interesting, but I can see why it might be annoying to you lol

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it. I don't show much love for it myself nowadays... I did play it a lot, but I see why you might not have liked it

[SaintBalor]

Originally posted by Kerrack:

Originally posted by Funpire:

That said, Majora's Mask was the best Zelda game ever.

Fixed it for you.

Thank you, that was bothering me a bit

[SaintBalor]

Originally posted by Funpire:

Originally posted by SaintBalor:

The first time I played it, I absolutely adored Breath of the Wild... I think its approach to world design will prove to be a turning point in open-world games, and I believe we've already seen its influence in many recent games. One thing that struck me about Elden Ring is that it has an extremely similar approach to the open world as BoTW in how there is always something interesting hidden wherever you go. Miyazaki being a master of environmental storytelling, it's no wonder Elden Ring iterates and improves on a standard that Zelda set before it.

As much as I love it, with the problems I had with it, I can't really see myself replaying BoTW, but I completely see myself restarting Elden Ring in NG+ or even a completely different build.

Still, I'm curious to see how you see these games and what you think each does better or worse, and how they compare in your eyes

I never finished BOTW or cared to pick it back up. The item break mechanic was just too much. It really wasn't that great of a game. It had a lot of good things going for it sure, but I found it too large, too micromanaging, with too much to do at any given time. Also the master sword... on a timer.

Seems to me that if you take a good game like Zelda or Dark Souls and just make it open world people blow their own minds more than anything actually ground breaking.

Don't get me wrong, both are great games and offer the player a lot for the money, but that's about all they do.

That said, OOT was the best Zelda game ever. Even better than BOTW. Also, Zelda has been open world for a long, long, long time.

I see what you mean... There are games out there who really didn't need an open world (Side glance at Dynasty Warriors and Metal Gear) I just think it really works in both cases, but you did outline what troubles me about BOTW the most... It feels like they could have achieved what they set out to do without forcing so many restrictions on to the player... I do feel Elden Ring managed that much much better

[Dagný]

Originally posted by SaintBalor:

Originally posted by Dahlia Hawthorne:

What if I'm a zelda fan who doesn't like breath of the wild? I Could not play more than 30 hours, I'll never understand why people keep bringing this game when discussing every other open world game.

I personally find the conversation interesting, but I can see why it might be annoying to you lol

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it. I don't show much love for it myself nowadays... I did play it a lot, but I see why you might not have liked it

My problem with BotW is that it is a great game to randomly explore the map, probably the best game ever in this particular area. But they forgot everything else that makes a good game, as soon as you start to analyse BotW outside of exploration you can clearly see how bad that game is.

[Dagný]

Originally posted by Kerrack:

Originally posted by Funpire:

That said, Majora's Mask was the best Zelda game ever.

Fixed it for you.

true 100%

[Snefru]

Originally posted by SaintBalor:

One thing that struck me about Elden Ring is that it has an extremely similar approach to the open world as BoTW in how there is always something interesting hidden wherever you go.

I thought this way when I started but as I’ve now explored 120 hours, I just disagree. There’s interesting hidden things out there but the wherever and interesting fade the more you open the map, to me anyways.

[MrSoul]

BOTW is okay. Beat it while ago but same have no interest in replaying it.

Much as I rag on this game and Martin’s writing(or lack there of) BOTW is downright cringe fest.

That exposition dump king gives at the start? Ya pretty much ruined entire game for me having it all spelled out, especially zelda game when been writing my own head canon for em since 93’

Didn’t bother doing any weird ♥♥♥♥ where find photos to get more awkward exposition, combat was okay but weapons degrading like, thk god elden ring ditched that ♥♥♥♥.

Grind out master sword just have it be a limited time(even with recharge) item? No thanks sir.

Open world good too but actual gameplay really lacking in BOTW.

Elden ring has flaws, some plot is cringe af too and highly derivative but also not barking exposition in my face for solid 15 mins after started the game. Lets me do with story as I please and I, mostly writing my own head canon here while I play haha.

Elden has better combat too, as stated above but also much more to do and much more threat in game world.

Aside from laser crab things in BOTW, nothing really that challenging and those puzzle dungeons were boring af.

Like four real dungeons and castle? Weak sauce for a zelda game imho.

[defnotj4]

i found botw to be way more dense in the overworld, and one of its defining aspects. elden ring lacks this density, and is probably closer to skyrim in that regard. anything from the little puzzles for korok seeds and the crafting mats that actually got used, to encounters that always provided me with a weapon to toy around with and chuck at enemies before it broke.