Fast-Paced, Adaptive Combat
Zelda has always had strong combat systems, especially since the series moved into 3D with Ocarina of Time. Breath of the Wild’s combat, however, looks even more fast-paced than what fans are used to. Of course, there are quite a few changes to deal with as well. First and foremost, it’s important to know that Breath of the Wild will feature weapon and equipment degradation. Armor and weapons will degrade and eventually break as you use them, meaning you’ll need to be picking up and finding new ones during your adventure. Luckily, you can find new weapons around the world, including being able to pick up those of enemies you defeat. This also means that Link can use more than just swords in Breath of the Wild by equipping sticks, axes, spears, and more.
You’ll also have access to a few special abilities in battle, the first of which is the flurry attack. If you dodge out of the way right as an enemy attacks, time will slow down and you’ll get the chance to unleash a rapid series of attacks on the enemy. This is a powerful move that can instantly take out weaker enemies. Additionally, if you counter an enemy when it swings its weapons, you can disarm them, weakening the enemy and giving you a chance to pick up the weapon.
Besides hand-to-hand combat, Link has the option of sneaking and taking out enemies while they’re unaware, or use his bow to take them out from range in Breath of the Wild. This time you’ll have access to exploding arrows, and jumping off a high area or off of your horse will slow down time, letting you pull off a flashy and explosive arrow attack. As you progress through the game you’ll gain access to even more options and items to use in battle.
There’s plenty of combat options in Breath of the Wild to master, and doing so can really make you feel like the fabled Hero of Time.
