Every Open-World Game Better Than Zelda BOTW

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched on the Wii U as the last best game on the system, alongside the Switch console and Switch version, which is the combo that made it sell like gangbusters in 2017. It quickly became an innovator in the open-world genre thanks to the stamina meter, which let players climb nearly anything in the game, along with the paraglider mechanic.

Those are only two features that made The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild amazing, and while it is certainly one of the best games of all time, others rival it in similar manners. That’s not to say they are all inherently better overall, but they do offer something different but familiar.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Building In Hyrule

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the obvious rival to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild since it is a sequel set in the same version of Hyrule, but an expanded one. Not only can players explore a set of sky islands, but a deep underground system has opened up, too. Plus, there are new building mechanics that level up the overall gameplay.

With Link’s new artificial hand, players can build weapons or vehicles wherever they want, from cars to flying gliders. As perfect as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom adds a level of complexity that has some fans more intrigued by it. Everything great about the first game still remains golden, too, like the freedom to go anywhere, trial dungeons, and a cool cel-shaded world.

Donkey Kong Bananza

The Next Nintendo Innovator

Donkey Kong Bananza is smaller in scope than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, as it features more compact open areas connected by an underground system. Each biome is different than the last, from a seaside resort to a chilly winter getaway. As small as each Sublayer is, players have a lot of control over Donkey Kong.

With one might punch, players can break open a mountain and dig like there is no tomorrow to bypass regions, or just to look for treasure. Certain materials can yield different effects when held, like gold, which is explosive, rainbow substances can send players into the sky, and almost every object can be used to surf on. The traversal options are varied, the might of Donkey Kong is omnipresent, and the game excels at charm, which perhaps The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is lacking a bit. The bond between DK and Pauline is sweet, and the story goes to some wild places.

Horizon Forbidden West

A Bow To The Future

Horizon Zero Dawn actually went head-to-head with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and didn’t stand a chance next to it as a Switch launch game. Years later, its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, did manage to carve itself a better place in the open-world genre. Aloy from this series and Link from Zelda have a lot in common, as both are proficient in bow-based gameplay.

Aloy can get different bows, ammo, and tools to use, all crafted from the robotic animals that roam the post-apocalyptic landscape of the West Coast region of the USA. Fighting these robotic monsters is fun, the crafting is worthwhile, and exploring always feels engrossing, from climbing a tall skyscraper to launching off the top with a glider. Also like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon Forbidden West’s version of the end times is gorgeous, with life still thriving after a cataclysmic event, and humanity, while smaller in numbers, is still very much alive. Fans who fell off the first game need to give this sequel a chance, as it is better in every way, and Aloy is a better and more well-rounded character.

Ghost Of Yotei

Following The Birds

Ghost of Yotei is an open-world samurai game that shares the aesthetic beauty of exploring a natural environment with weather conditions and nightfall similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. As a roaming warrior, Atsu is out for revenge, and her skills with a blade rival Link’s and then some, as there are other weapons too. Bows, chains, guns, spears, and more make combat more exciting than the first game, and just being able to use an opponent’s weapon is a thrill.

As a tale of revenge, Ghost of Yotei is a bloody affair, but the smaller moments are worthwhile too. There are exploration courses up mountains and waterfalls that have impressive scenery and a challenging but rewarding gallery. Also, following animal guides to side quest locations to help out wolves, go for a dip in a hot spring, or draw some cranes is one of the coolest features that more open-world games should test out, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Playing With Physics

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has a bleak open-world to explore as the natural areas of Mexico and Australia are mostly arid regions with sparse vegetation in this post-apocalyptic game. That said, what The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild players will like about this game is the traversal methods, simple concept, and building mechanics. At its core, this game is a package delivery simulator where players will transport any number of items between underground bunkers.

Players can have the best gear to make it over rocky territory, like good boots or bracers. They can use ladders to climb mountains or pass over rivers, or they can create more elaborate systems to connect bunkers, including a slingshot-like device that uses anti-gravity. The story is wild and out there like all Hideo Kojima games are, but more so than anything, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a game that is fun to play and explore. Plus, with asynchronous multiplayer, players can affect random worlds and cooperatively rebuild the world together, one highway segment at a time. That’s something even The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild lacks.

Elden Ring

A Darker Challenger

Despite the colorful world, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a pretty tough game, as exploring certain areas early can get Link killed in one hit. The challenge is similar to a Soulslike experience, and the one open-world example Zelda players can relate to is Elden Ring. Players can customize their character, choose a class, and then build their character into the warrior, ranger, or mage type they want, as the gear and leveling system is quite flexible.

As a Soulslike, it can be a pain losing to a boss a hundred times, and also losing Runes upon death, but the risk-reward of Elden Ring can be addicting. Also, the dense world always has something hiding for players to find, whether it’s a creepy NPC or a rare piece of treasure. The game has the benefit of three-player co-op to ease players in, and the open structure of the world lets players tackle it in any myriad of ways. Best of all, the real kicker to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is that Elden Ring’s horse, Torrent, can double jump. No horse in Hyrule can do that.