The sequel to the beloved The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, tentatively named Breath of the Wild 2, is expected to release at some point in 2022, and it could open up the series to a variety of new possibilities. Although it may be a little soon to be asking what will come after it given the fact that its name isn't even known yet, the prospect is still exciting. Whatever the next entry in the Zelda game series is, it has a lot to live up to, so hopefully it's up to the task.
Breath of the Wild released in 2017, and it quickly became a massive success due to its huge open world, stunning scenery, gripping story, and wide variety of traversal options. Its sequel is planned to release in 2022, and fans are already clamoring for its arrival, so it's shaping up to be one of Nintendo's biggest 2022 game releases. When it does come out, it's only a matter of time before the question shifts to what the next game will be. There's simply no predicting it for now, but until details come out, imaginations will go wild and speculation will run rampant.
Whether it's yet another Breath of the Wild game, a remake of an older title, or even a new story entirely, the possibilities for the Zelda game coming after BOTW 2 are vast and unpredictable. Although it's in all likelihood a long way off, fans will want to know what's going to happen to Link, Zelda, and Ganon after the events of the un-named BOTW sequel. It's far too soon to make any predictions, but there are a few different directions that the developers can go in once the next game comes out. BOTW 2 can fix BOTW's biggest problems, and the next game will hopefully refine itself even more.
Zelda Games After Breath Of The Wild 2 - BOTW 3
Although it might be too soon to imagine a third Breath of the Wild when the second is still so far away, the prospect is very exciting and should not be ignored. BOTW 2 promises a bigger Hyrule and more features than was in the original, so even more on top of that is something that fans would likely be delighted by. The hype surrounding it could be even bigger than what's currently around BOTW 2, which is already enough to make a BOTW 3 more of a possibility than one might expect.
If a third BOTW is , then it's impossible to say what it would look like at the moment. It would likely build on the features of BOTW, and the ones that players will eventually see in BOTW 2 when its real title is revealed and more news comes out. A larger world, more weapons, and enhanced traversal are strong possibilities, but other than that, it's just too soon to make any predictions. If it and BOTW 2 both stay true to the first one, however, then they'll likely be a big hit with fans, and possibly even the start of a new trend among Zelda games.
Zelda Games That Could Be Remade After Breath Of The Wild 2
If a third Breath of the Wild game truly isn't in the cards, then another possibility is a remake of an earlier game. Remakes of past games are nothing new for the Zelda series, as the recent Skyward Sword HD has proved. Remasters of old games coming to the Nintendo Switch is an exciting idea, especially so for a game that released on a handheld console, like Triforce Heroes. Which one would get a remake is impossible to say, but there are a few to choose from. BOTW 2's darker tone could mean Skull Kid, a recurring villain, will show up in a new Zelda remake.
Triforce Heroes, A Link Between Worlds, Spirit Tracks, and Phantom Hourglass are all games that have not yet received remakes. Although none of them are a certainty, if one is indeed in the works, they might be likely candidates. Other games that received remakes on the Wii, like Twilight Princess, could also be a possibility. If enough is done to rework it and make it relevant to modern gaming, then even the original first games could find themselves on the Nintendo Switch.
A New Chapter In Link & Zelda's Stories Could Come After BOTW 2
Of course, another very real possibility is a new game entirely. An original title, with a new story, could be just as exciting as another Breath of the Wild, or possibly even more so, and could even make Zelda the protagonist instead of Link. Although it would likely take inspiration from BOTW, simply due to its massive success, it could still be new and fresh in a way that would help it stand apart and be its own adventure. New features, gameplay mechanics, and perhaps even a new art style could help it have the same success that BOTW had when it released.
If there would be a new Zelda game, it would be impossible to say what it would entail at the moment. Since fans reacted so positively to BOTW's open world, it could make another appearance, but there are few other clues to work from. There are any number of possibilities, one of which is that the protagonist wouldn't be Link, especially if Zelda is a playable character in BOTW 2. It's far too early to say for certain, but it is an exciting prospect and would likely be a refreshing take on the series.
Zelda Games After BOTW - Could Hyrule Get A New Hero?
Of course, if Zelda chooses to do something truly groundbreaking with its next title, then it could step away from its iconic characters. The reincarnation of Link, Zelda, and Ganon is a major aspect of the series, but a game without them would be a fascinating prospect. A new main character, one that players may even be able to name and customize, could be even more exciting than BOTW 3. Without the triforce, its wielders, or the ancient destiny of Ganon binding them, players could experience a Hyrule that's truly theirs to explore.
If a game without Link as the protagonist were to be announced, it would be impossible to predict. It would, however, do well to provide more options than previous games have, and avoid Legend of Zelda gimmicks or copying BOTW 2. Full character customization that lets players choose their own skin, hair, and eye colors, body shape, and maybe even species if options are open to more than Hylians, could break the mold of the green-clad blond elf that Zelda is known for. Keeping the backstory open would also let players imagine their own denizen of Hyrule, from a simple farmer to a knight in the royal guard. If Link is set in stone for the protagonist, then a little character customization could still do The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and future Zelda games good.
