Why are we hooked on the Zelda series of games?
Nintendo's release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom last month shocked the market by introducing what will be one of the open-world genre video games of the year. Why do we love it so much?
The open-world genre has captured the imagination of gamers for decades and remains an important part of the video game industry. Their main appeal lies in the freedom and exploration they offer players. No two stories are the same in this type of video game; each player forges their own story by deciding which areas to visit, which quests to complete, and how to interact with non-player characters and the environment. As technology advances, open worlds become larger, more detailed and dynamic, building increasingly immersive and personalised experiences .
The latest releases in the Zelda series, The Breath of the Wild (2017) and Tears of the Kingdom (2023), take the open world concept to a new level, both featuring an expansive open world full of places to discover, creatures to face and quests to complete.
These games add innovative elements that bring additional layers of depth and possibilities to the game.
Players have to keep Link's survival in mind, hunting, gathering resources and cooking items to maintain his health and stamina. Not only that, they must combine ingredients to create dishes that give them advantages during combat or exploration.
The world of Hyrule is also highly interactive, players can cut trees, freeze water, burn grass and manipulate objects, and it features a dynamic weather system, with rain, thunderstorms, snowfall, etc. All of this opens up enormous creative possibilities, affectsgameplay and strategy, and above all, provides a sense of realism.
All of this combined has led The Legend of Zelda series of games to be widely praised for pushing the boundaries of the open world genre, allowing players to immerse themselves in a captivating world for an immersive and unparalleled adventure.
If you are a Zelda lover and want to know more, don't miss "Zelda Talks: The development behind the legend". An event promoted by UDIT's Videogames Area that will take place next Thursday 22nd June from 15.00 to 19.00 hours. You will be able to learn about and attend talks by specialists and professionals from the video game industry.
Would you like to know how to create open worlds?
The Degree in Design and Development of Video Games and Virtual Environments at UDIT will train you as a specialist alongside expert and active professionals in the industry.
