What is an open world like on the Switch?
Designers, both in China and abroad, are paying close attention.
Regular players just focus on the game's content.
But game designers are more interested in how the game is made.
For example, why a level or the land is designed a certain way.
The beginner's area in "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" really opened up a new world for all game designers.
In terms of content, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild"'s system is as complex as it gets.
For example, using food, fire, using torches to scare away bees, and using the rising air after a fire to use the glider.
Four different special powers can affect and interact with the environment.
But this complex system, with all kinds of complex pieces, doesn't make players feel stressed.
That's because these things aren't just dumped on the player all at once. They're slowly broken down and put into the game.
The game's flow is pushed forward in a natural way, and the player learns without even realizing it.
If this complex system used a traditional tutorial level, it would be long and boring.
But in Breath of the Wild, a special starting area was made to teach step by step. The game's system is broken down into stages, cut up, and lets the players explore and understand on their own.
That's the idea behind the level design in "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild."
It's not about teaching players how to play the game, but letting them play and discover on their own.
Like how the game doesn't directly tell you about instant death areas, but gives hints so players figure it out themselves.
Explosive barrels and rocks next to them in camps, or burning lamps hanging above the barrels.
It's always hinting that there's more than one way to solve problems. You can find a different way to solve them.
And when players figure it out, they naturally feel like they're really awesome.
Of course, it's okay if you don't figure it out. There's plenty of time, and these kinds of map designs fill every scene in the game. Players will learn eventually.
But just the design of this starting area has already amazed many game designers.
"Wow! The design of this starting area alone is like a textbook beginner's guide!"
"+1, just this tutorial level in Breath of the Wild is enough to study!"
"Collectibles, system design, and interactions all feel natural. It's all shown to the player through gameplay. It's perfect."
"Actually, that's not the most important thing. Did you guys notice? Breath of the Wild's design idea seems completely different from how Nebula Games designed the open world in "Red Dead Redemption: Redemption"!"
"That's right, the gameplay seems more free than "Red Dead Redemption: Redemption." It's a change from the very core!"
When "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" came out, game designers in the industry were amazed.
The online player communities completely exploded.
Players who tried the game right away couldn't help but share their experience online.
They wanted to share their excitement with other players, or find people who felt the same way.
'Wow! I'm blown away! This is so awesome! I didn't think the Switch could make an open world game, but now I have to say I was so wrong!'
'Same! I don't even know how to describe this game. I can only say it's really, really good!'
'Right, I lost track of time. I was playing at a coffee shop during lunch break and forgot about my meeting!'
'I really didn't expect this game to be on the Switch!'
'I used to think "Red Dead Redemption: Redemption" was the best open world game, but now I have to say "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" can definitely be mentioned in the same breath!'
'Is it really as good as you guys say? Can it be compared to "Red Dead Redemption: Redemption"?'
'Yeah, is it really that fun?'
'With the Switch's abilities, it should be hard to make a world as full of life as "Red Dead Redemption: Redemption," right?'
Of course, many players said they didn't believe it.
For players who owned a Switch and bought "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,"
Even though they had just started playing, the game's rich interactions and freedom immediately won them over, and they shared their excitement on social media.
But there were also many players who didn't have a Switch, so they didn't know much about "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild."
Looking at these posts online, these players who didn't know the game felt a little confused.
Even though they're both Lucas's games, isn't it a bit too much to compare "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" to "Red Dead Redemption: Redemption?"
"Red Dead Redemption: Redemption" was really amazing. For a whole year, game companies copied its open world design.
If it were a game from a regular company or designer, they would probably just scoff at it.
But this is a game made by Nebula Games and Lucas.
So, seeing so many excited players online, those who weren't interested in the Switch or the game also started learning about it through videos and live streams.
But when they clicked on these videos and streams about "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,"
Players who weren't interested in the game were also shocked.
This is a game that can be made on the Switch!?
Watching the videos and streams, these players were full of surprise.
(End of chapter)
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