Is Breath of the Wild Bigger Than GTA? A Deep Dive into Open-World Sizes
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The question of which open-world game reigns supreme in terms of size is a common one among gamers. Two titans often enter this discussion: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Grand Theft Auto V. So, is Breath of the Wild bigger than GTA? The short answer is no, not in terms of pure explorable area. While both games offer vast and captivating landscapes, GTA V boasts a larger map size when measured in square kilometers or miles. However, that’s not the end of the story. Size isn’t everything, and how that space is utilized, along with other factors like game mechanics, contributes to the overall experience. Let’s break down the details.
Map Size: The Numbers Game
When we look at the sheer numbers, GTA V’s Los Santos and surrounding areas encompass approximately 80 square kilometers (about 31 square miles). This includes not just the city itself, but also the varied landscapes of Blaine County, ranging from deserts to mountains. On the other hand, Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule is estimated to be about 61.2 square kilometers (roughly 23.6 square miles). Some sources claim larger numbers for BOTW, even going as high as 360 sq km or 140 sq miles, but this may include areas that are not freely explorable. It’s crucial to use measurements of freely navigable space for a valid comparison, and even then, different calculations yield slightly varied results. Ultimately, most sources agree that, in terms of square footage, GTA V holds the lead.
Beyond Just Square Footage
While the raw numbers favor GTA V, it’s important to note that the feeling of scale in each game can be vastly different. Breath of the Wild’s world feels incredibly vast due to its open-ended exploration, large distances, and the verticality of its environment. Players can climb nearly any surface, glide from towering peaks, and discover secrets hidden in every corner of the map. This sense of freedom amplifies the perceived size of the world. GTA V, with its more grounded traversal mechanics – mostly cars, motorcycles, and helicopters – gives a different sense of scale. You’re often navigating defined roads, and while there’s ample room for exploration, the movement is more restricted compared to BOTW’s acrobatic freedom.
Factors Beyond Map Size
The size of the explorable map isn’t the only factor to consider when comparing these games. Several other aspects contribute to their perceived scale and the overall gaming experience.
Density and Detail
Breath of the Wild’s world is meticulously designed, featuring numerous shrines, villages, hidden Korok seeds, and intriguing landscapes. Every corner feels purposeful and worth exploring. While GTA V has plenty of detail in its urban environments, it can feel more “open” and less densely packed with unique points of interest outside of the city.
Game Mechanics and Traversal
As previously mentioned, Breath of the Wild’s movement mechanics amplify its sense of scale. The ability to climb, glide, and ride horses freely makes the world feel larger. In GTA V, vehicles are the primary mode of transportation, which, while fun, provides a different sense of scale and freedom. These mechanics directly impact the player’s perception of the world.
Content and Playtime
The sheer volume of content also impacts a game’s perceived size. Both games offer extensive experiences, however, the core gameplay loop differs. Breath of the Wild is about exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Its main story can take around 50 hours, with a completionist run often going over 190 hours. In contrast, GTA V is more driven by its storyline, which is integrated with missions and side activities. Its story campaign, while substantial, doesn’t require the same level of open-ended exploration as Breath of the Wild. The longevity of GTA V often comes from online play and the modding community.
The “Feeling” of the World
Ultimately, the subjective experience of each game is crucial. Even though GTA V has more landmass, the unique freedom, verticality, and feeling of discovery in Breath of the Wild often make it feel larger to players. It’s not about the number of square miles, but how the game makes you feel as you explore it.
The Verdict
While GTA V technically has a larger map size in square footage, Breath of the Wild’s unique exploration mechanics and dense design often lead to a feeling of a larger and more expansive world. Both games offer captivating open-world experiences, but in very different ways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the exact size of the Breath of the Wild map?
The explorable overworld map of Breath of the Wild is estimated at 61.2 square kilometers (roughly 23.6 square miles). Different sources may provide slightly different numbers, but this is a commonly accepted estimate for its playable area.
2. How does the size of Breath of the Wild compare to Skyrim?
Breath of the Wild’s map is significantly larger than Skyrim’s, being approximately 1.66 times bigger. Skyrim’s map is estimated to be around 15 square miles, in comparison.
3. Which game is truly the biggest open-world game?
When considering theoretical sizes, games like No Man’s Sky and Minecraft are effectively infinite because their worlds are procedurally generated. In terms of manually designed worlds, games like Xenoblade Chronicles X and Death Stranding are contenders for size, surpassing even GTA V. However, these numbers don’t always translate into a richer or more engaging player experience.
4. How long does it take to 100% complete Breath of the Wild?
A 100% completion rate in Breath of the Wild can take around 190 hours or more. This involves completing all quests, shrines, and finding all Korok seeds.
5. How big is the map of GTA V?
The total area of the GTA V map is just over 80 square kilometers (approximately 31 square miles), including both the city of Los Santos and the surrounding areas.
6. What game sold more copies: Minecraft or GTA V?
Minecraft holds the crown for best-selling video game, with over 300 million copies sold. Grand Theft Auto V has also surpassed 150 million copies, making it the second best-selling game to date.
7. Is Breath of the Wild considered the largest open-world game?
No, Breath of the Wild is not the largest open-world game by sheer size. Other games, including Xenoblade Chronicles X and Death Stranding, boast larger explorable areas. However, BOTW is often praised for its density of content and engaging exploration.
8. Is GTA V an endless game?
GTA V is not technically an endless game, but it offers a vast amount of content and an active modding community that greatly extends its life cycle. The online mode, and role-playing servers further contribute to its endless feeling.
9. How big is the map of Zelda as a whole?
The entire world of Zelda, based on calculations that take into consideration lore and in-game maps, is estimated to be around 33,268 square miles or 86,163 square kilometers.
10. Which is the longest GTA game to 100%?
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is considered the longest GTA game to 100%, given its vast map, multitude of side missions, and overall scope.
11. Which is the longest Zelda game in terms of main story?
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the longest main Zelda experience with roughly 55 hours, closely followed by Breath of the Wild at around 50 hours, when focusing on the main objective.
12. Is the main story of Red Dead Redemption 2 longer than GTA V’s?
Yes, Red Dead Redemption 2’s main story is longer than Grand Theft Auto V’s by approximately one third, which means a considerable difference.
13. Does Breath of the Wild get easier as you progress?
Yes, Breath of the Wild becomes easier as the player becomes more skilled and obtains better equipment. The early game can be challenging, but once players learn the mechanics, combat and exploration get smoother.
14. Is there a reward for 100% completing Breath of the Wild?
There is no in-game reward for reaching 100% completion in Breath of the Wild. Your accomplishment will be noted in your Adventure Log, but not in the form of additional gameplay unlocks or items.
15. How does the size of Breath of the Wild compare to Genshin Impact?
While Genshin Impact’s world is vast, Breath of the Wild’s map generally feels much larger and more spacious, especially when considering player freedom and vertical exploration. The scale of BOTW’s world is one of its significant charms.