Untitled The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel | |
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Developer(s) | Nintendo EPD |
Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
Director(s) | Hidemaro Fujibayashi[2] |
Producer(s) | Eiji Aonuma |
Series | The Legend of Zelda |
Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
Release | Q1/Q2 2023[1] |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
An untitled sequel to the 2017 action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (colloquially referred to as Breath of the Wild 2) is in development by Nintendo. It is a mainline installment of The Legend of Zelda series and is currently aimed to be released in the first half of 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.[1]
Development and marketing
Development of the sequel started in 2017 after the production of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ended,[3] and in the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct, a teaser trailer was released.[4]
In a Nintendo Direct in February 2021, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma stated that the developers would disclose further information regarding the game later that year.[5] In the subsequent E3 2021 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo debuted a trailer revealing gameplay, story, and a 2022 release.[6] Although the trailer did not feature an official game title, several fan theories emerged about the plot of the game.[7] According to spokesperson Bill Trinen, Nintendo is keeping the subtitle secret because "those subtitles [...] start to give little bits of hints about maybe what's going to happen."[8] Trinen also responded to the fan's comparisons of the sequel and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask—a previous darker-toned, direct sequel that used the same assets as its predecessor. He deemed the comparisons unfair, claiming that Nintendo's upcoming reveals will showcase "where this game stands on its own and what makes it so unique."[9]
Hidemaro Fujibayashi will reprise his role as director.[2] The developers, inspired by leftover ideas from the prior game's development and downloadable content packs, will incorporate the original game's world into a new story and gameplay elements.[10] At the game's presentation during E3 2021, Aonuma stated that "the setting for the adventure has been expanded to include the skies above Hyrule",[11] drawing some comparisons to The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's intended scope and vision.[12][13][14]
On March 29, 2022, Aonuma announced that the game had been delayed to the first half of 2023 for the purpose of extending development time.[1][15][16]
Reception
Awards
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
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The Game Awards 2020 | December 10, 2020 | Most Anticipated Game | Nominated | [17] |
E3 2021 Awards Show | June 15, 2021 | Most Anticipated Nintendo Game | Won | [18] |
The Game Awards 2021 | December 9, 2021 | Most Anticipated Game | Nominated | [19] |
References
- ^ a b c Nintendo of America [@NintendoAmerica] (March 29, 2022). "The Legend of Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma, has an update to share about the launch timing of the sequel to The Legend of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Please take a look" (Tweet). Retrieved March 29, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Shea, Brian (June 11, 2019). "Breath Of The Wild's Director Is Returning For The Sequel". Game Informer. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Creating a Champion. Dark Horse Books. 2018. ISBN 978-1-50671-010-5.
- ^ Dayus, Oscar (June 25, 2019). "The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 2 Confirmed For Nintendo Switch". GameSpot. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Denzer, TJ (February 17, 2021). "More The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 details to come later in 2021". Shacknews. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Phillips, Tom (June 15, 2021). "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel launches 2022". Eurogamer. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Diaz, Ana (June 18, 2021). "Breath of the Wild 2's best fan theories ... so far". Polygon. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ Kim, Matt (June 15, 2021). "Nintendo Says There's A Reason It's Keeping Breath of the Wild 2's Name a Secret". IGN. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Marks, Tom (June 16, 2021). "Nintendo Responds to Breath of the Wild 2 Comparisons With Majora's Mask - IGN". IGN. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (June 20, 2019). "Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 2 Exists Because Nintendo Had "Too Many Ideas" For DLC". GameSpot. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Drury, Sharareh (June 15, 2021). "New 'Breath of the Wild 2' Footage and 2022 Release Announced at Nintendo's E3 2021 Direct". Variety. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Parrish, Ash (June 15, 2021). "Breath Of The Wild 2 Looks A Lot Like Skyward Sword, Huh?". Kotaku. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Carey, Kirsten (June 16, 2021). "Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 May Bring Skyward Sword Full Circle". ScreenRant. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Capel, Chris (June 15, 2021). "Is there a Breath of the Wild 2 Skyward Sword connection?". GameRevolution. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lane, Gavin (March 29, 2022). "The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild 2 Delayed To Spring 2023". Nintendo Life. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (March 29, 2022). "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 delayed to 2023". Polygon. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ Stedman, Alex (December 10, 2020). "The Game Awards 2020: Complete Winners List". Variety. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Purslow, Matt (June 16, 2021). "E3 Awards 2021: Forza Horizon 5 is the Most Anticipated Game of the Show". IGN. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Good, Owen (December 3, 2021). "The Game Awards 2021: Everything you need to know". Polygon. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
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