The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

i hope weapons break mid swing in the next game

@TC: I guess I'm curious as to how you experienced weapon use and combat in previous Zelda games. I replayed TP and WW in the year before BotW came out, and in each case, I spent 80% of the game using the same sword—and practically the same combat move—in every single fight.

So I'm not saying weapon durability is officially the answer, but I'm wondering what you saw in the old system that made combat fun.

I think the shield durability in Skyward Sword was a good compromise. Something like that could work for weapons, where you could get weapons repaired at some cost. Maybe you'd need to collect specific parts to get weapons repaired. All in all though, the main problem I've run into with weapon durability is running out of wooden weapons in a storm (which I could deal with by throwing away more metal weapons since I always have more of those than I need).

tirelat posted...

I think the shield durability in Skyward Sword was a good compromise. Something like that could work for weapons, where you could get weapons repaired at some cost. Maybe you'd need to collect specific parts to get weapons repaired.

why would anyone want that kind of time-wasting tedium when you can just grab replacements as you go?

I don't understand claims that Durability as a mechanic increases grinding. Weapons are everywhere, and I certainly have never found myself without anything useful to get me from A to B.

As for wanting it gone (to the OP), the alternative is a small roster of permanent weapons, most of which are phased out end game. Then, you would be whining "There should be more weapons. The selection end-game is crap. Everyone just uses the Master Sword.".

You want it gone? What would you replace it with that would not break the game?

T_Info posted...

@TC: I guess I'm curious as to how you experienced weapon use and combat in previous Zelda games. I replayed TP and WW in the year before BotW came out, and in each case, I spent 80% of the game using the same sword—and practically the same combat move—in every single fight.

So I'm not saying weapon durability is officially the answer, but I'm wondering what you saw in the old system that made combat fun.

Don't know, having played either in years. I'm not saying they should return to old system of combat, just omit the durability system. It's more of an annoyance than improvement. And it's not like the weapons bring any varity anyway. Swords, you swing. Spears, you stab. Greatswords, you swing harder. None of the weapons you get give you different attacks other than one or two. Otherwise it's mainly just aestetic differences, so you might as well be using the same three types of weapons anyway.

TheDuke2000 posted...

I don't understand claims that Durability as a mechanic increases grinding. Weapons are everywhere, and I certainly have never found myself without anything useful to get me from A to B.

As for wanting it gone (to the OP), the alternative is a small roster of permanent weapons, most of which are phased out end game. Then, you would be whining "There should be more weapons. The selection end-game is crap. Everyone just uses the Master Sword.".

You want it gone? What would you replace it with that would not break the game?

LIke I said, you're basically using the same three weapons anyway, just with changes in appearance. Everything has the same moveset, so I don't see how having a smaller roster would be a problem. And if I were to replace that system, I would just have them work the same way armor does, whereas they won't do that much damage unless you upgrade them by finding materials. The strongest weapons would just require materials harder to find or in areas where you'd get destroyed if you hadn't played the game enough to get more hearts and upgrade your armor anyway.

LexStorm1998 posted...

And it's not like the weapons bring any varity anyway. Swords, you swing. Spears, you stab. Greatswords, you swing harder. None of the weapons you get give you different attacks other than one or two.

even with only a few major weapon types the durability system still encourages you to rotate between them because you won't necessarily find an endless stream of one type. and there's more variation to them than just how it swings; damage, element, blunt vs sharp, whether it can be set on fire, whether it attracts lightning, and if it gets boosted against guardians/by the ancient armor are all reasons to use and keep a varied inventory.

And if I were to replace that system, I would just have them work the same way armor does, whereas they won't do that much damage unless you upgrade them by finding materials.

i prefer finding things that I can use immediately rather than just upgrade materials.

The strongest weapons would just require materials ... in areas where you'd get destroyed if you hadn't played the game enough to get more hearts and upgrade your armor anyway.

that's the kind of thing botw was trying to avoid

Eh, not a fan of it in most games, but it works well in this one. I do wish there was a better way to tell what was left on your current weapon, but oh, well.

With how successful, and well-received this game has become, I fully expect it to be the new standard for Zelda going forward.

I couldn't be happier about that.