The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is finally set to release this May, and it's undoubtedly one of the most highly-anticipated games of the year. And even though fans are surely looking forward to seeing how this direct sequel will expand upon its predecessor's stunning open-world formula, Breath of the Wild is still filled with secrets to uncover and things to do.
Given how massive this iteration of Hyrule is, it's understandable that there are things that will go unnoticed by some players. From clever and touching franchise easter eggs to unique uses of the game's features, Breath of the Wild's dynamic overworld systems are a joy to discover even today.
Meet Nintendo's Satoru Iwata
The video game industry has come a long way over the last several decades, and much of that is owed to figures like Satoru Iwata. The game designer and producer served as both president and CEO of the gaming titan that is Nintendo, which made his tragic passing all the more somber for longtime fans.
But, fittingly, Nintendo developers have gone to the effort to immortalize Iwata in various ways, one of which being as an eerily similar NPC in Breath of the Wild. A soldier named Botrick who patrols Outskirt Stable can be found, with the character taking clear visual cues from the late game designer.
Easter Eggs In Ancient Sheikah Runes
The Legend of Zelda has always been a video game franchise characterized by extensive lore. Sometimes that lore serves a mechanical purpose for the game's features, like the ancient Sheikah Runes or floating Hylian texts that offer instructions.
However, they also show some fun easter eggs, like the pins players can have Link mark on their map and the overworld. Should players go to the trouble of translating the Hylian texts, it says "It's dangerous to go alone," which is a clever reference to the old man guiding Link in the original game.
Seek Out Merchants In The Rain
Many items and areas in Breath of the Wild are impressively hidden, but an easy thing to miss in the game lies in the world's economic systems. Link can encounter various kinds of merchants along his travels, including in and out of settlements. And in terms of the countryside traveling merchants, it's in players' best interest to talk and buy from them in the rain.
The game's various fluctuating climates might understandably dissuade some from getting too adventurous in Hyrule, but these conditions see merchants offer discounted prices on their items -- as well as offering some rarer goods not normally part of the inventory.
Cook Food Using The Goron Hot Springs
Creativity is one of the best adjectives for describing Breath of the Wild's interlocking gameplay features and systems. And as versatile as cooking in this game can already seem on the surface, players can get even more imaginative with how they go about it.
Many recipes can get surprisingly complex, but Link can use the Goron Hot Springs to cook bird eggs into hardboiled eggs. It seems like such a simple concept in retrospect, but as far as games go, this is an ingenious little feature to tuck away for inquisitive players to discover.
Recipe Bonuses Under The Blood Moon
One of the many reasons why Breath of the Wild is regarded as one of the best open-world video games is because of how dynamic and imaginative its systems work. Cooking meals with recipes discovered are among them, as they give the Hero of Time incredibly useful stat buffs to confidently trek through the wilds of Hyrule.
But what some players might not know is that they can get extra boons out of their meals by cooking under the foreboding Blood Moon. Beginning at 23:30, meals cooked and eaten during the Blood Moon will grant special stat buffs.
Ocarina Of Time's Lon Lon Ranch
Lore in this franchise can get admittedly complicated, but Breath of the Wild contains a special locale and reference to one of the most acclaimed Legend of Zelda games to date. If players venture to the southeastern portion of the map, players can discover an area called "Ranch Ruins."
But for longtime fans, the dilapidated structures signal this to be the iconic Lon Lon Ranch that Link went to in Ocarina of Time to meet his trusty steed Epona. Seeing the ranch battered by time itself makes this one of the most melancholy easter eggs in Breath of the Wild.
Exploit Elemental Weapons During Extreme Climates
The changing climates are some of the most exciting gameplay aspects of this open-world Hyrule. Players can have Link use this to his advantage, or it can prove his demise if not careful.
As for the former, players can use Breath of the Wild's rare elemental weapons to better brave the wilds. In Hyrule's desolate deserts and blistering heat, for instance, equipping the Iceblade will keep Link cool. Likewise, the Flameblade will keep him safe from the biting cold of the land's snowy tundras.
Go Armorless For A Stamina Boost While Swimming
Similar to games like FromSoftware's Soule-like titles, Link's most recent mainline outing requires players to manage their Stamina closely at all times. Whether it's in combat, climbing mountains, or swimming, not paying enough attention to Link's Stamina could easily result in death.
It dictates how long players can swim, but if they're desperate for just enough of a boost to reach a specific treasure or landmark, stripping all armor off the Hero of Time will deplete Stamina at a noticeably slower rate. This could go a long way in how efficiently players can traverse Hyrule's waters.
Chu Chu Jelly To Gain A Vital Edge In Battle
Generally speaking, Breath of the Wild is a reasonably challenging game. On top of the masterfully executed survival mechanics, the land of Hyrule is filled with some imposing enemies. The game's various Lynels are among the most notorious, as these hybrid beasts pack immense physical power.
But one rather unexpected item to turn into a key weapon against them is Chu Chu Jelly. Hilariously, if Link throws down a Chu Chu Jelly for a Lynel to run over, the monster will get launched into the air and be left vulnerable to some critical strikes. A proper "Loony Tunes" moment that can be used as a viable battle tactic.
Revive Fallen Horses
As one would expect in any open-world fantasy game, the game naturally includes mounts as a means of travel across Hyrule. Horses are, unsurprisingly, the most common mode of mounted exploration - but they're far from invincible. Whether they were tamed from the wild or not, they're susceptible to damage and can be killed, but there's a hidden area where Link can revive them.
Suitably near the Lake of the Horse God, players can find a spring of the titular deity Malanya. At 1,000 rupees, it doesn't come cheap, but it's a useful backup plan for players to have in their back pocket, as well as a show of respect for these helpful animals.
Source:gamerant.com