In anticipation of the long-awaited sequel to Nintendo's 2021 E3 presentation on June 16, leaving fans of the series excited and brimming with new questions. The reveal was short and sweet, showing just enough to prove some suspicions and open the door to additional speculation.
Link's adventure is confirmed to take place within the same universe as Breath of the Wild, presumably directly following the events of the first game. The original Breath of the Wild, released in 2017, put players in the shoes of a new iteration of Link: a member of Zelda's personal guard who has just woken from a 100-year slumber to find the land of Hyrule in a post-apocalyptic state. After a short introductory sequence and tutorial, the main story quests were made available to complete in any order, as Breath of the Wild's focus was on exploration and freedom rather than strict, linear missions. The ability to climb virtually any surface, dynamic physics system, tranquil soundtrack, and cel-shaded art style are other notable qualities that made the game stand apart from other Legend of Zelda titles. With this new adventure on the horizon, many of the original's dedicated fans are hoping that these features, among others, will make a return.
Youtuber rumored Nintendo Switch Pro and its increased power. The E3 footage also displayed greater draw distances, further showing how this game will be a graphical improvement. ElAnalistaDeBits also provided a side-by-side comparison of the original trailer and a version with simulated 60FPS, showing how the new game might run on a hypothetical Switch Pro.
Aside from the obvious visual improvements, the trailer offered a peek into how Link will be different in this new game. The iconic hero's appearance has been altered slightly, as he is seen boasting a shaggier hairstyle and a more casual outfit. Other clips show him with different outfits and hairstyles, hinting towards the possibility of deeper cosmetic customization. The true differences, however, can be seen in Link's new combat and traversal abilities, which include an arm-mounted flamethrower and the ability to phase through surfaces by shifting into a liquid substance.
While this trailer didn't confirm some popular Breath of the Wild 2 theories, it has still given fans of the 2017 game a lot to look forward to leading up to its release. As a Switch-exclusive title (not developed for the Wii U like the first game), the higher graphical capabilities will serve to improve upon the already gorgeous cel-shaded visuals of this version of Hyrule. Since much of the overworld is going to be recycled from the first game, Nintendo will have to deliver on the new skybound area of the map, as well as on Link's new abilities, to recreate the excitement of the original's exploration. Lightning doesn't always strike twice in gaming, but keeping the best parts of Link's 2017 adventure while landing the mark with new features could make Breath of the Wild 2 a worthy follow-up.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 will be parachuting onto the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2022.
Source: ElAnalistaDeBits/YouTube
