Summary
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis one of themost innovative and groundbreaking open-world gamesever made. It’s easy to see why countless players still love coming back to this title and clocking in more hours, even if a mechanically superior sequel exists.
The title is magical to experience the first time around, but a second playthrough has merits that are worth checking out, too. With players being familiar with this game’s mechanics, it should come as no surprise that it’s quite easy to get invested all over again. But for those looking to make their second playthrough feel different from their first, here are some things they can do toshake things up.
8Try And Make A Break For It To Hyrule Castle
A Great Test For Veterans
A huge part of what makesBreath of the Wildso unique is how players aren’t discouraged fromtackling the game’s final boss from the get-goif they wish. Hyrule Castle looks tantalizing from a distance and compels gamers to head toward it, which is something returning players may not mind.
With the skills they’ve attained during their first playthrough, it’s feasible for players to try and tackle this endgame dungeon at the beginning of a second run. Some fights may be overly challenging, but those who weather the storm may find the equipment they need to tackle tougher enemies, eventually coming face-to-face with the four versions of Ganon they skipped before Thunderblight Ganon reveals himself.
7Take On A Guardian Stalker With Minimal Equipment
Reflecting Beam Attacks And Punishing These Robots From The Get-Go Is Very Satisfying
The Guardian Stalkers are some of themost panic-inducing enemies for beginnersinBreath of the Wild. Their laser attack hits like a truck and can one-shot a weak Link in no time.
However, veterans know how feasible it is to take out this foe by reflecting its beam with a well-timed shield parry. It’s a task that second-time players can undertake, rewarding them for their impeccable timing by letting them wipe out a Guardian Stalker in no time.
6Mount Wild Animals And Ride Them For As Long As Possible
An Ingenious Way To Travel The Countryside
If players wanted to make asecond playthrough ofBreath of the Wildinteresting, then they should avoid boarding and riding horses altogether. Instead, they should make the most of the wild animals in the game in order to enjoy the services of unique mounts.
Players who land on bears, stags, and other mountable wild animals can ride them like regular horses. Restricting oneself to these wild mounts makes for a fun gameplay loop where players will relish the sight of these regular enemies and get great enjoyment by using them to travel great distances.
5Don’t Upgrade Link
The Game Will Become Quite Challenging
A beautiful aspect ofBreath of the Wildis how skilled players are rewarded for besting challenges, while beginners can use Health and Stamina upgrades to make things easier for themselves. On a second playthrough, there’s no reason why players shouldn’t try and go through the game without enhancing Link in any way.
This can make things very challenging for players, but it also encourages them to be smart in every combat encounter. Relying on stealth and mastering both perfect parries and dodges is integral for players who don’t want to be left feeling too frustrated during their second playthrough.
4Play In Master Mode
Adds New Content And Enhances The Difficulty
Master Mode wasa much-welcome addition toBreath of the Wildthat many fans loved. It enhanced the game’s difficulty, prevented save-scumming, and let players fight against a new enemy tier that was harder than ever before.
The floating Octorok platforms with unique loot are another bonus that makes exploration rewarding inBreath of the Wild. Master Mode is the perfect choice for a second playthrough, encouraging players to refine their skills and take out the toughest enemies standing in their way.
3Speedrun The Master Sword
This Powerful Weapon Will Serve Link Well During His Adventures
Acquiring the Master Sword is a must for players who want to smash Guardian enemies apart with a powerful weapon. The fact that this sword comes back to Link after losing its energy makes it a reliable part of his arsenal that players should aim to acquire as soon as possible.
However, players must acquire thirteen hearts to pull out the Master Sword without dying. This may seem time-consuming, but Link can make it a priority to clear shrines and acquire upgrades at a breakneck pace, making it easy for him to head to Korok Forest with all thirteen hearts and get his hands on this legendary blade.
2Use Amiibos For Special Equipment
A Ton Of Valuable Equipment Is Locked Behind These Figurines
A lot of the unique armor andweapons inBreath of the Wildare locked behind amiibos. This can be irritating, but those who have a respectable collection by the time they start a second playthrough can acquire a wealth of unique equipment in no time at all.
Even if the chest doesn’t provide them with what they want, players can use the amiibo over and over again after a set timer in order to acquire some powerful items. It’s something that may have slipped a player’s mind during their first playthrough, but it’s still a feature that can be used to spice things up on a second run.
1Acquire The Master Cycle Zero As Soon As Possible
A Fun Way To Explore BOTW’s Massive World
The second DLC forBreath of the Wildintroduces a slew of tough mini-bosses, ingenious puzzles, and one of the hardest boss fights in the game. Fighting Monk Maz Koshia is a blast, with players having to prove their mettle before getting their hands on the ultimate prize.
The Master Cycle Zero is a cool bike that players can use to travel the world in style. It’s a shame that it is the last reward that most players will receive on their first playthrough. To remedy this, returning gamers should prioritizeThe Champions' BalladDLC to acquire this bike as soon as possible.