It’s been almost two years since Nintendo unveiledThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, and fans know just as much about it today as they did back then. Suffice to say, information on the game is scarce, and that might not change any time soon.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2seems to have a ways to go before it sees the light of day. Some fans might be perturbed by the long wait ahead for the sequel to 2017’s hit Switch launch title, but fortunately, there are all sorts ofZelda-inspired games to help make the time go by faster. Indie games in particular have taken quite a few cues fromThe Legend of Zeldathanks to the series' reputation as one of the pioneers of gaming. Many developers have found creative ways to innovate and improve upon the series' classic gameplay.
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Hyper Light Drifter
Equipped with a vibrant, retro-2D art style, fast-paced combat, and an emphasis on exploration,Hyper Light Drifteris certainly a game forZeldafans to check out. Set in a dark world filled with monsters, the Drifter, equipped with an energy sword, must traverse hostile lands to find a cure for his terminal illness. The game takes some obvious cues from2DZeldagames; many of the enemies inHyper Light Drifterlook like they’d fit right into aZeldatitle.
Perhaps the indie game’s biggest influence isA Link to the Past, which is evident through how both games allow players to maneuver through each of their core areas in whatever order they please — a design philosophy featured prominently inBreath of the Wild.
CrossCode
Radical Fish Games’CrossCodefollows an amnesia-afflicted young girl named Lea who is tasked with playing a popular MMO to regain her memories. The game hardly resemblesZeldawhen it comes to story, and its combat is pretty different too. But where the similarities lie are inCrossCode’spuzzles, which encourage players to use their various abilities in innovative ways to solve them. Fans ofBreath of the Wild’sshrine puzzles might get some enjoyment out ofCrossCode’screatively crafted challenges.
A Short Hike
Take a trip to Hawk Peak withA Short Hike;the game’s title is pretty self-explanatory. Players control a bird named Clair who is taking a short hike around an island to clear her mind. The game lets players loose with little direction beyond ascending a mountain, encouraging them to determine for themselves what Claire’s journey will entail. Its setting is packed with many secrets, and players who were drawn toBreath of the Wild’sfreeform explorationare sure to find value in what this charming open-world title has to offer.
The Pathless
As the name implies,The Pathlessdrops players into an open world and tasks them with finding their own way through the game’s story. Boasting an expansive world and a beautiful art style,The Pathless’world is certainly a visual marvel, and some incredibly fast, fluid, timing-based movement makes traveling to unexplored areas just as much fun as discovering what secrets they have.
Tunic
This game isn’t out yet, but it’s certainly one to keep an eye on, asTunicis very clearly inspired byZelda.Its reveal trailer evokes nostalgia ofLink’s Awakeningin many regards, and a limited-time demo recently allowed players to see theZeldainfluences firsthand. Based on what’s been shown, the game will also be modernizing the gameplay seen in the older 2DZeldatitles.
Added mechanics like a dodge-roll and an auto-targeting system akin to the one present in the 3DZeldagames look like they will go a long way in making this delightful-looking indie game not just a heartfelt homage to the iconic franchise, but perhaps the closest the industry will ever come to seeing a completely new, top-downLegend of Zeldagame.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2is in development for Nintendo Switch.
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