The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a game that needs no introduction. Released in 2017, it quickly became a fan favorite and is considered by many as one of the greatest games of all time. This open-world adventure game took the gaming world by storm with its breathtaking visuals, immersive gameplay, and vast open world filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
In this comprehensive walkthrough, we will guide you through every aspect of the game, from the basics to advanced tips and tricks. Whether you are a seasoned player looking to master the game or a beginner just starting your journey, this guide has everything you need to conquer the wilds of Hyrule. So grab your Sheikah Slate and let’s begin our epic adventure!
Detailed Walkthrough
Chapter 1: Awakening and the Great Plateau
The game begins with our hero, Link, waking up from a 100-year slumber in the Shrine of Resurrection after being defeated by Ganon. This is where your journey truly begins. The Great Plateau acts as your introductory training ground, teaching you the basics of combat, movement, and exploration.
1.1 The Shrine of Resurrection
After following the instructions and awakening from your slumber, you’ll be given your first weapon, the Master Sword, and your trusty Sheikah Slate. This mysterious device will become your best friend throughout your adventure, so make sure to familiarize yourself with its various abilities.
1.2 Exploring the Plateau
As you venture out into the Great Plateau, you’ll come across three shrines: Ja Baij, Oman Au, and Keh Namut. These shrines serve as mini-dungeons that will teach you essential skills needed for your journey.
- Ja Baij Shrine – This shrine will test your combat skills. Use your sword, shield, and bow to defeat the Guardian Scout and claim the Spirit Orb.
- Oman Au Shrine – This shrine focuses on environmental puzzle-solving. Use your Sheikah Slate’s Magnesis ability to move metal objects and reach the chest containing the Spirit Orb.
- Keh Namut Shrine – This shrine teaches you how to use Cryonis, a Sheikah Slate ability that allows you to create ice pillars. Use it to reach the top of the shrine and claim the last Spirit Orb.
Once you have completed all three shrines, you will unlock the path to the Divine Beast Vah Medoh.
1.3 The Divine Beast Vah Medoh
The Divine Beasts are giant mechanical creatures controlled by Ganon and serve as the game’s main dungeons. Each one is unique and requires you to conquer its puzzles and defeat its boss to free it from Ganon’s control. Vah Medoh is the first one you’ll encounter and is shaped like a giant bird.
To enter Vah Medoh, you must first find and activate its four control terminals. These are scattered throughout the beast, and each one requires you to complete a puzzle or defeat enemies to access it. Once all four terminals are activated, you can face Vah Medoh’s boss, Windblight Ganon. Use your abilities and combat skills to defeat him and free Vah Medoh from Ganon’s grasp.
Chapter 2: Embarking on Your Journey
After completing the Great Plateau and freeing Vah Medoh, you’ll be introduced to the open world of Hyrule. Here, you are free to explore at your own pace and take on quests and challenges as you see fit. However, there are a few essential things you should do before embarking on your journey.
2.1 Taming and Riding a Horse
Horses play a significant role in Breath of the Wild, and you’ll need one to travel faster and traverse rough terrain. When you come across a wild horse, approach it slowly and press the A button to soothe it. If done correctly, you can mount the horse and ride it. However, taming a horse is not that simple. Each horse has its temperament and will try to buck you off if you don’t calm it down by pressing L to soothe it.
Once you have successfully tamed a horse, register it at a stable so you can call it whenever you need it. You can also customize your horse with different saddles and bridles for a more personalized experience.
2.2 Upgrading Your Sheikah Slate
Your Sheikah Slate is an essential tool throughout your journey, and upgrading its abilities will make your life easier. To upgrade your slate, you need to find Ancient Shrines scattered throughout Hyrule. These shrines are larger than regular shrines and require solving environmental puzzles to reach the chest containing an Ancient Core, which is used for upgrades.
Upgrading your Sheikah Slate’s abilities will give you access to new abilities such as Remote Bomb+ and Stasis+, making your adventures more manageable.
2.3 Obtaining the Paraglider
In order to explore the vast open world of Hyrule, you’ll need to obtain the Paraglider. This useful item allows you to glide from high places, making it easier to reach new areas. To obtain the Paraglider, you must complete the four main story quests given to you by the Old Man on the Great Plateau.
Once you have completed these quests, he will give you the Paraglider, allowing you to leave the Great Plateau and continue your adventure.
Chapter 3: Collectibles and Secrets
Hyrule is filled with secrets and collectibles waiting to be discovered. These items not only add to the game’s lore but also provide useful upgrades and rewards. Here are some of the essential collectibles and secrets you should be on the lookout for.
3.1 Korok Seeds
Korok Seeds are one of the most abundant collectibles in Breath of the Wild, with over 900 to find throughout Hyrule. These seeds are usually found under rocks or hidden in trees and can be exchanged for inventory slots at the Hestu, the Korok merchant. The more seeds you collect, the more slots you can unlock for your weapons, bows, and shields.
3.2 Shrines and Spirit Orbs
As mentioned earlier, shrines play a significant role in the game, and there are over 120 of them scattered throughout Hyrule. Each completed shrine will reward you with a Spirit Orb, which can be exchanged for heart containers or stamina vessels. Heart containers increase your maximum health, while stamina vessels increase your stamina wheel, allowing you to run, climb, and glide for longer periods.
3.3 Great Fairy Fountains
Great Fairy Fountains are places where you can upgrade your armor sets for increased defense and bonuses. There are four Great Fairy Fountains located throughout Hyrule, and each one requires a certain amount of rupees to activate. Once activated, you can upgrade your armor up to four times, with each upgrade requiring more materials and rupees.
3.4 Memories
Scattered throughout Hyrule are 18 memories that Link has lost after being defeated by Ganon. Finding these memories will give you a glimpse into Link’s past and provide valuable information about the story. You can find these memories by locating various locations or objects that trigger cutscenes when interacted with.
Chapter 4: Best Equipment and Upgrades
Having the right equipment and upgrades is crucial for surviving in the harsh open world of Hyrule. Here are some of the best weapons, armor, and upgrades you should aim for.
4.1 Best Weapons
Throughout your journey, you’ll come across various weapons with different stats and abilities. However, some weapons stand out from the rest and are worth keeping an eye out for.
- Master Sword – The iconic Master Sword is an essential weapon that never breaks and has a powerful attack when used against Ganon’s minions.
- Savage Lynel Bow – This bow has 5x shot damage and is obtained by defeating Lynels, one of the toughest enemies in the game.
- Royal Guard’s Claymore – This two-handed sword has high durability and is found inside the Hyrule Castle lockup.
- Ancient Bladesaw – This powerful chainsaw-like weapon deals significant damage to Guardians and other mechanical enemies.
4.2 Best Armor Sets
Having the right armor set can significantly impact your survival in Breath of the Wild. Some sets provide increased defense, while others have special bonuses that make your journey easier.
- Champion’s Tunic – This tunic provides a useful upgrade that allows you to see enemy health bars.
- Barbarian Set – This set increases your attack power and is perfect for combat-focused players.
- Ancient Armor Set – This set decreases damage taken from Guardians and has bonuses that increase attack power for Ancient and Guardian weapons.
4.3 Best Upgrades
Upgrading your equipment and abilities is crucial for surviving in the wilds of Hyrule. Here are some of the most useful upgrades you should aim for.
- Master Sword Upgrade – Obtained by completing all 120 shrines, this upgrade increases the Master Sword’s power and durability.
- Stasis+ – This upgrade allows you to freeze multiple objects at once, making it easier to solve puzzles.
- Remote Bomb+ – This upgrade increases the remote bomb’s blast radius and damage, making it more useful in combat.
Chapter 5: Advanced Tips and Tricks
Now that you have mastered the basics of the game, it’s time to learn some advanced tips and tricks that will make your journey even more enjoyable.
5.1 Cooking
Cooking is a crucial aspect of Breath of the Wild, allowing you to create dishes that provide stat bonuses such as increased health, attack power, or stamina. Experiment with different ingredients to discover new recipes and their effects. You can also use cooking to combine meals for added benefits.
5.2 Shield Surfing
Shield surfing is a fun and efficient way to travel downhill. Equip a shield and jump while facing downhill to start sliding. You can control your speed and direction by tilting the left stick. However, be careful not to use a fragile shield, as it will break after a few uses.
5.3 Amiibo Support
Breath of the Wild has Amiibo support, allowing you to scan various figures to receive in-game rewards such as weapons, food, and clothing. Some rare Amiibos also give unique items, so make sure to try them out if you have any.
Conclusion
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an incredible game that offers endless hours of exploration, adventure, and discovery. With this comprehensive walkthrough, we hope we have provided you with all the necessary tips, tricks, and strategies to conquer the wilds of Hyrule. Enjoy your journey through this masterpiece and remember to never stop exploring!
