Developer: Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Welcome to the Development Thread for the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! Here we will track all the updates, rumors, and general discussion surrounding this new game. Since its surprise announcement at E3 2019, we have been left with a very cryptic trailer and little else to go on, save for a few scant details. As time goes by and we learn more information, I will work to compile it here and help foster discussion.
**Please note this thread will contain spoilers for the original Breath of the Wild**
Redefining a Legend- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Release and Reception
"This is the new world of Zelda. It's quite a vast world isn't it? You can even reach those mountains in the distance, if you walk far enough. We couldn't create such a wide world like this in the past. As far as what you can do with such a vast field to explore, as soon as those boundaries are removed, it means you can enter any area from any direction. So the puzzle solving in this game begins the moment the player starts to think about where they want to go, how will they get there, and what they will do when they arrive. This is a clean break from the conventions of past games in the Zelda series, where you had to follow a set path, and play through the scenario in the right order. I believe this departure will create opportunities for new game-play that have not been experienced in previous Zelda games."
—Eiji Aonuma, E3 2014
After a lengthy development, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild released for the Wii U and as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch on March 3rd, 2017. The game was an immediate critical and commercial success, scoring a 97 average on Metacritic and quickly becoming the best selling entry in the series, at one point even outselling the Nintendo Switch itself. The game went on to achieve several Game of the Year awards, including Resetera's own, and is generally considered the consensus Game of the Year of 2017, a year notable for a high number of quality releases.
The game was widely praised for its beautiful and massive handcrafted world, designed in such a way to encourage continuous exploration, its nonlinear approach to both progression and problem solving, and its chemistry engine that allowed the player to interact with the world in unique and creative ways. Series lead Eiji Aonuma has indicated that this template (dubbed "Open Air") will likely be the norm for the series moving forward.
Naturally, fans were left wondering what was next for the newly reinvigorated Zelda series. Many fans anticipated a "Majora's Mask style" follow up to Breath of the Wild, one that would take the assets and engine, and rework them into a new and unique experience that would differentiate itself from it's predecessor. On June 11th, 2019, we received confirmation that a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild was indeed development, and from the teaser trailer, it does appear to indeed be a darker take on the original.
What We Know
We have very few confirmed details about this game right now, but this section will be updated as new information becomes available.
- This game will be based on the same world as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Eiji Aonuma told IGN in an interview that "The new Breath of the Wild or the sequel to it, it's not necessarily going to be related to Majora's mask or inspired by it... What we showed you currently is a little darker." However, it is unknown if he meant the game was darker than Majora's Mask itself, or just the original game.
- Similar to Super Mario Galaxy 2, many ideas from this game were conceptualized as potential DLC for the original game before being reworked into the sequel.
- Zelda has received a redesign, most notably she has shorter hair than in the original game. This had led to speculation that she may have a greater role to play in this adventure than her previous one.
- Link is seen interacting with, and perhaps controlling a mysterious magical arm. What this means is currently unknown.
- On June 15th, 2021, Nintendo released a new trailer for the game, showcasing a lot of new information. This seems to confirm that the magical arm has affixed itself to Link and will be taking the role of the Sheikah Slate in this title, showing new abilities such as a new stasis function, a time manipulation ability, and the ability to phase through solid objects. The game is confirmed to be "expanded to the skies above Hyrule" in addition to the world below, which appears to be a major theme of the game.
- Link appears to have received a redesign as well, with loose hair rather than a pony tail, and his arm being merged with the magical arm seen in the original trailer. Zelda appears to have been separated from Link following the events of the original trailer, and her role is as yet unknown.
- Link does not appear to still possess the Master Sword following the events of the second trailer.
- Several insiders have said that the game is internally targeting a 2020 release date.
- MonolithSoft tweets a recruitment promotion for their work on a Zelda game on December 17th, 2019. MonolithSoft was heavily involved with the world design of Breath of the Wild and are assumed to be resuming that role for the sequel.
- On June 28th, 2020, the Spanish VA of Revali indicates that the dubbing may be complete. Transcript from @ReyVGM EDIT: The interview may or may not be serious or Just joking around by the VAs, take with a grain of salt, but I'll keep it here just in case. EDIT 2: More or less confirmed to have been a joke by the source. Edit 3: Or more likely, this was in reference to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
- On September 8th, a video trailer for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity was released. Eji Aonuma reiterates that they announced development had started during the 2019 E3 presentation. He mentions that it will be some time before they are ready to share new updates on the upcoming sequel. "'In order to make the vast world you enjoyed exploring in the original game even more impressive, the team is working hard on its development."
- New Trailer announced at E3 2021 showing several new features, Release date of 2022 given.
The Hero of Hyrule who slumbered for 100 years after sustaining grievous injuries during Calamity Ganon's attack on Hyrule. After reawakening on the Great Plateau, Link journeyed through what remained of the Kingdom of Hyrule, restoring both his strength and his memories in preparation for his confrontation with Calamity Ganon. With the help of the liberated Divine Beasts and the Champions of Hyrule, Link was able to defeat the monstrous Calamity Ganon beneath the castle, and with the aid of Princess Zelda herself, went on to destroy Calamity Ganon's final incarnation, the gigantic boar Dark Beast Ganon.
Thus thanks to the hero's efforts, the evil of Calamity Ganon had at last been purged from Hyrule, and the world could finally recover...
Or so it seemed for a time...
The Princess and sole survivor of the Royal Family of Hyrule, and one who carries the bloodline of the Goddess Hylia herself. For 100 years, Zelda was held in a stalemate with Calamity Ganon, keeping him sealed within Hyrule Castle and buying the outside world something resembling peace, while she herself remained trapped in the castle as well. Sensing that her power may soon no longer be enough to contain Calamity Ganon, she at last called out for the slumbering Link to reawaken and begin his adventure. Thanks to Link's efforts, Zelda was able to break free of Calamity Ganon's clutches, and after accessing the Divine Power within, she was able to lay the final blow on the beast, annihilating Calamity Ganon at last.
Zelda now travels with Link as they seek to restore the fallen Kingdom of Hyrule. Their journeys have led them to a mysterious chamber, where an ancient but perhaps all too familiar evil lies in wait.
A withered corpse that lies in the center of a mysterious chamber. This figure appears to produce Malice, a corrosive and evil substance that was believed to be a manifestation of Calamity Ganon's corruption. It was held down by a magical disembodied arm of unknown power and ability. The figure reanimates once the magical arm is removed, and its revival coincides with a catastrophic shift in the world above.
The corpse has a mane of long red hair, and bears the mark of the Gerudo tribe. If ancient legends are to be believed, could this truly be the remains of the one who would bring about the Calamity time and time again, the man once known as Ganondorf?
RIP
Game Trailers
E3 2019 Announcement Teaser
E3 2021 Trailer
Ending Note: Please feel free to let me know of any updates or improvements I can make to this or future threads. I have not created one this in depth in the past, so any feedback is appreciated.
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