TheLegend of Zeldagames are some of the best on the Nintendo platform. Classics likeA Link to the Past,Ocarina of Time,Majora’s Mask,Twilight Princess,andSkyward Swordare still near and dear to many hearts today. Arguably, what made these games so great was that they followed the typicalZeldaformula:explore dungeons, solve puzzles, collect the usual weapons, fight bosses, and save the princess and Hyrule, usually alongside a companion like Navi or Midna.
Yet, what truly makesZeldaspecial is not the formula itself but the sense of adventure and discovery the games have always captured. Even when the franchise breaks away from its formulaic roots, as it did withBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, theZeldauniverse is still just as magical and captivating.
The Zelda Formula Is Great, But Using It As A Blueprint Isn’t
Iconic Zelda Features Don’t Need To Be In Every Game
For years, theZeldaformula has helped create some of the best games ever made.Ocarina of Timeset the standard for action-adventure games and isstill one of the best in theZeldafranchise. Later games likeTwilight PrincessandSkyward Swordfollowed the same path. These games had a very clear structure and formula that they followed, and it worked well, makingZeldainstantly recognizable.
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While the typical dungeon-and-boss formula worked well for these earlierZeldatitles and helped the franchise make a name for itself, following the same formula too closely limits creativity. If allZeldagames stuck to the same pattern,it would become too predictable and stale. These earlierZeldagames certainly laid the foundation for the series' success. Thenthings changed withBreath of the Wild, which broke the typicalZeldaformula and gave players a new way to explore and experience adventure.
WhileBOTWis known for its open-world innovation, it is heavily inspired by the originalThe Legend of Zelda, which similarly left players to explore with very little direction.
Instead of repeating the past trends that gotZeldato where it was,Breath of the Wildfocused on freedom and discovery. The vast open world and exploration components contributed to it being the most popular and best-sellingZeldagame of all time. It was a much-needed break from the mold,proving thatinnovation and risk-taking could breathe new life into the beloved franchise.
Zelda’s Sense Of Discovery Can’t Be Put Into A Box
Zelda Is All About Exploration And Discovery
The bestZeldagames make players feel like they’re on a real adventure. The classicWind Wakeris proof of that, asplayers get to experience sailing across the open sea and discovering new islands.Breath of the Wildtook it a step further, allowing players to explore an open world at their own pace.
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Exploring the unknown has always been one of the best selling points of theZeldaseries and is what has made the franchise so special. Fighting bosses and solving puzzles is part of the experience, butthe excitement and thrill of discovering something new is what truly makes the games magical. OlderZeldagames had a more structured approach to exploration. They guided players through paths and dungeons and basically pointed players in the direction they needed to go. This worked well for a long time but began feeling too predictable. It became a routine: complete a dungeon, get a new item, and move on to a new area.
Some fans miss the oldZeldastyle and want the series to go back to it, which is understandable considering the significant departuresBOTWandTOTKmade. However, change is what keepsZeldafresh and exciting. IfOcarina of Timehad just copiedA Link to the Pastwithout adding new ideas, it wouldn’t have been so groundbreaking.Zeldahas always been at its best when it takes risks and evolves.
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Breath of the Wilddid away with the usual blueprint and embraced an open world, letting players create their own adventure and redefiningZelda. Players have the freedom to explore however they want. Instead of following a set path,players can climb mountains, find hidden shrines, and uncover secrets in their own way. This freedom made the game feel fresh and exciting.
The problem with sticking to a set formula is that new games can start feeling like copies instead of something new.Zeldahas always been about adventure and discovery, and forcing every game into the same structure could take that away. When a game sticks to a strict formula,exploration can feel boring because players know what’s coming.Zeldais best when it surprises players, like with hidden caves or new ways to interact with the world. The goal is to make players feel like they’re discovering secrets on their own, not just ticking off tasks.
Classic Features Should Only Return When They’re Needed
Classic Zelda Features Still Have Their Place
Zeldahas a lot of iconic features, including typical dungeons and puzzles, special items, mini-bosses, and big boss challenges. There are also many familiar weapons, like the Master Sword and Hookshot, and gameplay mechanics like swimming, climbing, and horseback riding. Several titles even pair Link up with a companion who helps guide him on his quest to save Hyrule.
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Every game in the series also has its own mechanics. InMajora’s Mask, Link can transform into different species using various masks, and inTwilight Princess, Link can transform into a wolf with different abilities.Ocarina of Timegives Link the ability to control time and play melodies that alter the world around him, and inWind Waker,Link uses the eponymous wand to control the wind and sail across the sea to different islands.
Even when these gamesinclude manyZeldaseries staples, they have also given players something new to look forward to. Yet, that hasn’t always been enough to keep things feeling fresh and exciting. Iconic features in theZeldauniverse shouldn’t be included just for tradition’s sake, either. Bringing something back just because it was in past games doesn’t always make sense.
Zelda’sidentity isn’t tied to any one feature. The series has changed a lot over the years, but it has always stayed true to its spirit of adventure. Future games should focus on what makes sense to the story and world, rather than feeling obligated to check off a list of classic gameplay mechanics and formulas. That doesn’t mean classicZeldaelements should disappear. Dungeons, unique items, and puzzles still have their place,butthey should only return if they truly fit the game.
The reasonZeldahas remained exciting for nearly 40 years is because it’s always willing to try new things. Sticking to a formula would make the games feel repetitive, but experimentation keeps them fresh. The bestZeldagames take risks, even if that means leaving some beloved features behind. A formula should be a guide, not a rulebook. As long asThe Legend of Zeldastays true to its core ideas of adventure, mystery, and discovery, then it can keep evolving in exciting ways without being trapped by the past.
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda franchise follows the adventures of Link, an elf-like Hylian, and Princess Zelda as they protect the land of Hyrule from the evil warlord-turned-demon king Ganon. The series is known for its mix of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving elements, often revolving around the collection of the Triforce, a powerful relic left by the goddesses who created Hyrule. Each game features different incarnations of Link and Zelda, maintaining core elements while introducing new characters and settings.
