Dear Diary: I've only ever played one other Legend of Zelda title. That was Twilight Princess on the Wii. That game, too, also held the promise of breaking the mold of Zelda games that I just did not find appealing. But about the time you were turned into the wolf, I lost interest. I bounced. I bought Breath of the Wild because it was there. I didn't expect to like it. The presence of hope was a very small sliver, almost unnoticeable, in the deepest shadows of my mind.
I'm amazed. In this first hour, it seems like the game designers have gone almost incredibly Western in their game design. Or better yet, have found a very excellent way to merge and blend the two different approaches into something that feels incredible. Things make sense, both in terms of ActionRPG gameplay and story. This does not feel like some ridiculously childish and fantastical Never Ending Story-ish whimsy. Threats seem real, and Link is surprisingly capable as a combatant. I'd applaud the game simply for finally solving the problem of why can I not climb the things that would make sense for me to be able to climb that every other game gets wrong. Clambering up the side of the church to reach the bell-tower and find the prize there? Just wonderful. Combat situations where I could actually stand for a minute and select one of five different tactical approaches is just not something I was expecting from a Nintendo game, especially in the Zelda franchise. Bravo. I cannot wait to play more.
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