Breath of the Wild and Skyrim: A Tale of Two Open Worlds

Yes, Breath of the Wild (BotW) and Skyrim share striking similarities, particularly in their core gameplay loop. Both games thrust you into a vast, explorable open world, where you’re free to roam, discover hidden locations, interact with NPCs, and embark on quests at your own pace. While Skyrim leans heavily into the RPG elements with character customization and skill trees, and BotW emphasizes adventure and exploration, the fundamental experience of freedom and discovery is a common thread. They both offer emergent gameplay opportunities, where player actions and environmental interactions create unique and often unscripted moments. But are they truly alike under the hood? Let’s delve deeper.

Superficial Similarities vs. Design Philosophies

At first glance, the resemblance is undeniable. Both games feature a vast map begging to be explored, littered with points of interest. Both protagonists, Link and the Dragonborn, must manage their resources, although BotW places a greater emphasis on survival mechanics like food preparation and temperature regulation. NPCs populate both worlds, offering quests, information, and sometimes, just plain old chatter.

However, the underlying design philosophies diverge significantly. Skyrim is built upon a foundation of narrative choice and character progression. The Dragonborn’s journey is shaped by their decisions, skills, and allegiances. Breath of the Wild, on the other hand, prioritizes player agency and emergent gameplay. Link’s abilities are largely fixed, and the focus is on utilizing those abilities creatively to overcome challenges and explore the world. The narrative is more minimalist, allowing players to craft their own stories through their experiences.

World Design and Exploration

Skyrim’s world, while vast and detailed, often feels more structured and predictable. Quests guide you to specific locations, and the world is densely packed with content. Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule, despite being larger, feels more sparse and open. The emphasis is on unstructured exploration, where the player is encouraged to wander off the beaten path and discover secrets on their own.

BotW’s environment is also much more interactive than Skyrim’s. Players can climb almost any surface, manipulate objects with their powers, and use the environment to their advantage in combat. This level of interactivity creates a sense of freedom and agency that is unmatched in Skyrim.

Combat and Progression

Skyrim’s combat is rooted in traditional RPG mechanics, with players selecting weapons, armor, and spells to customize their fighting style. The game features a skill-based progression system, where players improve their abilities by using them.

Breath of the Wild’s combat is more action-oriented, relying on timing, reflexes, and environmental awareness. Link’s abilities are largely fixed, but players can find and upgrade weapons and armor. The game’s progression system is less focused on stats and more on acquiring new abilities and equipment.

The Verdict

While Breath of the Wild and Skyrim share surface-level similarities, their underlying design philosophies are quite different. Skyrim is a narrative-driven RPG with a focus on character progression, while Breath of the Wild is an adventure game with a focus on player agency and emergent gameplay. Both games are masterpieces in their own right, offering unique and compelling open-world experiences. Whether one is “better” than the other is a matter of personal preference.

Learning more about the design principles of games like these can be a fascinating endeavor. You can explore resources at the Games Learning Society website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How big is Breath of the Wild compared to Skyrim?

Breath of the Wild’s map is significantly larger than Skyrim’s. It’s approximately 1.66 times larger in terms of total area.

2. Is Breath of the Wild truly open world?

Yes, Breath of the Wild is considered a true open-world game. Players have the freedom to explore the entire map from the beginning, with minimal restrictions. They can tackle objectives in any order and choose their own path to victory.

3. Why is Skyrim considered so good?

Skyrim’s popularity stems from its vast and immersive open world, its compelling narrative, and its deep RPG mechanics. The game offers players a tremendous amount of freedom and allows them to create their own unique experiences.

4. What type of game is Zelda?

The Legend of Zelda series, including Breath of the Wild, is primarily categorized as an action-adventure game. It combines elements of exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, and storytelling.

5. Is Breath of the Wild overrated?

Whether Breath of the Wild is overrated is subjective and depends on individual preferences. While it received widespread critical acclaim, some players find its minimalist narrative and emphasis on exploration less appealing than other open-world games.

6. What games were influenced by Breath of the Wild?

Breath of the Wild’s innovative open-world design has influenced numerous games, including Genshin Impact, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, and Ashen. These games have adopted elements of BotW’s exploration, combat, and environmental interaction.

7. Can you just play Breath of the Wild without playing other Zelda games?

Yes, you can absolutely play Breath of the Wild without playing previous Zelda games. While the game contains references to previous entries, the story is self-contained and accessible to new players. The Legend of Zelda timeline can be confusing so the games do not need to be played in any particular order.

8. Is Breath of the Wild one of the best games ever?

Many critics and players consider Breath of the Wild to be one of the best games ever made. Its innovative open-world design, compelling gameplay, and stunning visuals have earned it numerous awards and accolades.

9. Is Breath of the Wild too difficult?

Breath of the Wild’s difficulty is subjective and depends on individual skill levels. Some players find the early game challenging, while others find it relatively easy. The game offers a variety of difficulty options, including a “Master Mode” that increases the challenge.

10. What does it take to 100% Breath of the Wild?

To 100% complete Breath of the Wild, players need to finish all four Divine Beasts, complete all 120 Ancient Shrines, acquire all 900 Korok Seeds, and visit every named location on the map. It’s a challenging and time-consuming endeavor.

11. Can you 100% beat Skyrim?

While you can complete all the main and side quests in Skyrim, some aspects of the game, such as radiant quests, are essentially endless, making true 100% completion impossible.

12. Who is the hardest to beat in Skyrim?

Some of the most challenging enemies in Skyrim include the Wispmother, Falmer Warmonger, and Hagraven. Their unique abilities and powerful attacks can pose a significant threat to players.

13. Is Breath of the Wild too hard for beginners?

Breath of the Wild can be challenging for beginners, but it’s not insurmountable. The game’s open-world design allows players to explore at their own pace and gradually improve their skills. There are also plenty of resources and guides available to help new players.

14. What made Breath of the Wild so good?

Breath of the Wild’s success can be attributed to its revolutionary approach to open-world game design. It empowers players to explore, experiment, and create their own experiences, rather than following a linear path.

15. Which Zelda game has the best story?

The Zelda game with the “best” story is subjective and depends on individual preferences. However, popular contenders include Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, and Majora’s Mask.