Zelda BotW: Features Around Every Corner

I’ve seen folks try to describe why Breath of the Wild is such a good game (in their opinion). I have a hard time pinning it down myself, but one thing I do know that I like is the game’s ability to surprise me with features I didn’t even know I wanted until they were introduced.

For example, the whole camera and gallery collection tied to the Slate. Hunting down location memories. Housing. Taming and riding horses. Riding… other things…

Granted, not all of these features are super deep. But put them all together, and they have kept my interest for hours.

Gear Upgrade

Upgrading Link’s gear is another system that I discovered by accident. This is a cool system because it makes the monster drops worth more than just potion brew or vendor trash. It’s a bit similar to the Monster Hunter system, without being too overbearing.

I ran into this system by accident… In returning to the first village, I saw that the painter there had a quest for me. Now that my Slate could take pictures, he commissioned me to photo the Fairy Fountain that I’d found earlier.

I knew where it was already, but I walked up there with him anyhow. I snapped the picture he wanted, and decided that since I was already there, I may as well talk to the great fairy. Imagine my surprise when she informed me that she could upgrade my current gear!

Yes, please!

In returning to the painter, he was so happy about the picture that he even gave me a hint about the location of one of the memory photos.

That’s some handy info, thanks!

I later discovered that helping him out with the fairy fountain unlocked the painter who begins to appear at different stables on down the line. He gives hints on where memory locations are based on the pictures, usually somewhere near to the stable. I’m quite thankful because otherwise, I’ve wasted a lot of time trying to find locations without success.

Anyhow, discovery is usually fun in BotW, and the game often sends lots of pleasant surprises. And sometimes unpleasant surprises…

Just a short post today. Tomorrow I’ll have something a little longer when I become a home owner in Hyrule!