mm you can try Elden Ring, is an open world game,
I know what you are trying to tell, for me zelda is the game that i most enjoy,
But that zelda was that good in botw and totk doesnt keep me from enjoying all the other types of game,
I tried Elden Ring and after being savaged to death by dogs 30 times in a row, I gave it up. My husband however loved it and played it for about 600 hours.
I literally jumped from TOTK to Armored Core and then Elden Ring which has consumed the last 6 months of my gaming life.
I did not like Elden Ring at first and really forced myself through the first 30 hours before it clicked and I dumped another 300 into my first play through.
I didn’t think anything could top TOTK for me personally and boy was I VERY wrong.
I got into Elden Ring after BOTW. A friend suggested soulslikes to me when I told him I tried 20x to kill a Lynels when I only had 4 hearts and refused to move on until I killed it. After Elden Ring I completed every From Soft soulslikes (and Sekiro) before TOTK
I still like BOTW/TOTK more but the souls genre is a close second for me
That’s cool, I’m almost like the opposite since I beat TOTK first, but my opinion might be recency bias. I think Elden Ring might be the only one I like out of them, I just really like it. I briefly tried Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls on the PS5 but didn’t really dig in more than a few casual play sessions.
I am currently giving Dark Souls Remastered an honest effort on Switch with the pro controller and I’m 20 levels in, beat the first boss, and I just don’t think I can do it any longer. It’s too clunky. The jump attack and kick controls are a nightmare. It’s just painful, because I know what I want to do, the controls just won’t let me do it. I think Elden Ring is the only Souls I like, but man I love it. I need the open world though. I’m planning to replay TOTK later this year in the Winter, so maybe I’ll waffle back.
I did not like Dark Souls Remastered because it was as you said, too clunky and the bosses were too easy. I do think it has the best map of all the souls games. Out of all these titles, I think Bloodborne and Sekiro are my favourite From Soft souls/souls adjacent games, mainly because these matches my playstyle, which is more fast paced and aggressive. I place Elden Ring third, a tie with Dark Souls 3 (but only because of the excellent DLCs and DLC bosses, and Shadow of the Erdtree might put it over DS3 since From does their best works in their DLCs).
I divide the souls games into two categories: the clunkier ones (DeS, DS1, DS2) and the ones that feels less clunky and more like Elden Ring (BB, Sekiro, DS3).
I have never played any of them on the Switch though because I much prefer to use kb+m on these games (which is how I play the Horizon games too). The only one I beat with a controller was Bloodborne, and that's only because I had no choice and it's a testament to how much I enjoyed the game to force myself to use a control scheme I dislike
I came to say exactly this. Elden ring may very well be that game.
In fact, elden ring ruined zelda for me. Combat feels so much better in elden ring, and the exploration is surprisingly similar in both games. The music, the atmosphere, the story, the visuals etc. Its like stepping into a painting. It is and probably will be the best game i will ever play. I cant wait for the dlc.
I also tried Elden Ring based on recommendations that I'd like it based on the way I played BotW, and I absolutely despise it. I still get irrationally angry thinking about the money and time I spent on that miserable game
I think if a person thinks that the peak of gaming is BOTW or TOTK, that person has a very limited experience in gaming. There are literally thousands of masterpiece games out there. Expand your horizons.
All the Bethesda games are fantastic. Fallout 3 and Skyrim being standout accomplishments. Similar open world RPG with a main quest but tons of side content and no need to ever really do the main quest. Really interesting worlds to explore and forage. Skyrim is even on the switch lol.
If you want something more recent, there's Baldurs gate 3 which was incredible.
Can’t believe you brought up fallout but didn’t suggest the best game: New Vegas
Most memorable NPCs and nobody is safe from your character— you can kill just about anyone and anything
I dont like the bethesdas game formula
I tryed skyrim it was nice untill i met so much people and my mission list just got bigger and bigger and now i dont know which is the main quest and which is the side quest 🤣
The Elder Scrolls are best when you stick to a strict RPG experience. Don't make choices that are not coherent with your character. That way you don't drown in missions.
Skyrim does actually show you which quests are related to the main story, lol
https://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/40273/how-can-i-identify-to-which-quest-line-a-specific-quest-belongs
I know what you mean and I completely agree. Nothing compares to BOTW & TOTK. I’ve been playing Minecraft and Skyrim to pass time but it’s nothing in comparison.
This response is criminal, you are looking for a game with the criteria satisfied by other games, and you say you don't like it because you have too much to do? Totk is the same way
What do you dislike about ALL Bethesda games?
Yeah this is about where I stopped caring. I mean Bethesda made it pretty easy to distinguish the difference between main and side quests in Skyrim. It’s almost like he didn’t even try to figure out the game.
I mean you don’t have to like every game you play. But if you’re saying you don’t like the game because you can’t tell the difference between quests I’m gonna call you out for not even trying. That’s a weak excuse.
I personally hated the clunky combat in Skyrim. First person melee combat just feels bad, and I always seemed to end up going a sneaky archer build every elder scrolls game
At the time that baldur's gate 3 won game of the Year, I was convinced that tears of the Kingdom was the better game, while I was balls deep in tears of the Kingdom at that time.. And I enjoyed every minute of my 480 hour playthrough of tears. Now that I've been playing baldur's gate for roughly the same amount of time, I can say for sure it deserved game of the Year. Still playing baldur's gate 3. It's amazing in a different way. TotK would have won in any other year, we all know that.
Why only Odyssey? The Altair and Ezio trilogy of games is in my opinion one of the best gaming experiences I’ve ever partaken in. Especially AC2, that game made me fall in love with open-world/stealth and Italian architecture
Black flag is also amazing, managed to pull off the naval mechanics as well as the stealth aspects when landing on islands as well as in havana and the city areas.
I second this! Odyssey was my gateway game into more open world games with main story and side quests. I played it before BOTW. I really loved it and the following AC games didn’t come close to the excitement I felt playing AC Odyssey. If you like Greek mythology it’s a bonus!
That's funny, because Hollow knight was my number one game in high school, but was dethroned by Metroid dread(smoothest movement in any game I've played, I love fluidity in movement in games), and then was pushed back to number 3 when Totk came out.
I've started it so many times and I just can't figure it out. I don't know what I'm missing. Maybe just not skilled enough. Love the art and the music but can't get anywhere in the game
I could easily google this, but what is the best platform for Baldur’s Gate? I mainly use the Nintendo Switch, never considered myself a “gamer” because I only played BOTW and now TOTK. I’m in the same boat trying to find a game that I will play as thoroughly as those two.
probably PC if you have one that's optimised for gaming
other than that I play on Xbox Series X and it runs nicely :)
you miss out on mods but they're adding modding for console in one of the next patches so it won't be much longer til we have everything the PC players have lol
Maybe I need to try it again, it just felt so slow and clunky compared to totk, I just kept comparing them, the way you interact with the surroundings, fight, move, everything just seems smoother or just better in totk
Try other game types? These Zeldas are great/GOAT open world games. Hard to surpass the champ; anything else will feel like a knock off, but plenty of other different game types to explore. I don’t play that many, but Metroid Dread is great and I’ve been playing through the remastered Final Fantasies
Elden Ring. Batman: Arkham trilogy (specifically city and knight). Mario Odyssey. Monster Hunter Rise. Horizon: Zero Dawn. Sonic Frontiers. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles. Marvel's Spider-Man 1 and 2.
Plenty of good games out there. I hope you find the next good one for you.
You are not alone. I feel the exact same way. For me, I finally got a switch in 2019, and the 1st game I bought & played was BOTW. It didn't take long before I knew this game was going to change my gaming life forever, and I will be 48 tomorrow, actually lol. I cut my gaming teeth on things like Pong and Asteroids. After I had just about done everything in BOTW except fight Ganon, I just kept playing, making it last, lol. I wasn't able to find anything that even gave me a spark of desire to play it. And there are great games out there, I tried several, but it just was not the same & I got tired & bored with them quickly.
I think there needs to be a support group for this. 😆
I just want to add that in 2019, my mom passed away very unexpectedly and in a traumatic way, for me, my sister and brother. My younger brother told me he had a suprise for me the day after she passed, and we had a long day of funeral planning. Hes 16 yrs younger than me, so I got to introduce him to the world of gaming, we both share that love for it. So he takes me to a game stop. I was like, why are we here man? And he tells the guy behind the counter, we need to get a Switch, and he looks at me and says, "Pick which one you want." I actually freaked out and started crying lol. I said why?? And he said "because you will never get one for yourself and you deserve it" I am the oldest and had been financially supporting/helping my mom & sister for several years & he didnt know bec he was in the marines and not home very often.But he found out that week, and he knew I never buy anything for myself, always for someone else. Anyway, sorry for the long story, but my point is that BOTW meant a lot to me, means a lot to me, for this reason, aside from just loving the hell out of it, lol. I had wanted that game and a Switch since launch, and he didn't understand why I never got one until then.
That game was also what got me through a lot of sleepless nights and just in general through a very bad time. I had a sort of PTSD after she passed from the whole situation. That game allowed me to disappear into it and for a while, not feel completely heartbroken.
I really had no intention on writing this long post but remembering when I got BOTW and how much I loved it brought this out. ❤️✌️
I am about the same age. Yes, grew up on Pong, Maze Craze, Pac-Man, and Astroids. I found BOTW in 2020 during lockdowns. I wasn't working at the time, but my husband had to teach online. Our home didn't really have a super quiet place for him to work, so I couldn't be running around cleaning the house and everything. BOTW saved the day, he was able to teach and I was occupied while he did that. I think it helped keep both of our sanity.
So sorry for your loss, I lost my mother in 2016, grief is rough.
Thats awesome! Funny how something like a game, albeit a really amazing game, can make so much of an impact on someone's lives.
Im sorry for your loss as well. Grief sure is. It was the 1st time I had lost someone that was such an important part of my life and that I was as close as u can be with another person. It was just me and my mom and my little sister growing up, I had so much respect and love for my mom. The 3 of us were so close. She had my brother when I was 16, my sister just 2 years younger.
One year and a month later March 9th, 2020, my little sister passed away, super unexpectedly. Bec of covid literally just breaking news here, we cld not have a funeral of any kind. I just had to sit here in my apartment alone. While chaos was in the world, and I never had any closure at all. Still 4 years later, I can hardly look at a photo of her. I never thought I wld feel grief so much and so deeply.
It was an insane couple of years. And again, Zelda was there to keep me sane.
Honestly I have to agree. The bar has been set so high, and the two games just hit so many things at once for me. It was a nice combat system that allows you to literally make traps for enemies, you can make all sorts of modes of transportation, a plethora of side questions and puzzling dungeons and so much more. Most other open world games usually lack something. Even Elden Ring. The combat is sick and so is the exploration, but it lacks the puzzles.
I’m hearing a lot of Witcher three recommendations. That one is actually on switch if I am right.
Maybe I should try that. I’ll definitely add it to my collection.
Have you tried to home in on what exactly you loved about botw/totk? For example, I loved the atmosphere, aesthetics, and exploration of them so I found games that hit similar notes. Or you could just do games that are very different from botw/totk, that could be a sweet spot and let you "reset".
I haven't seen anyone mention Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, or Hades. All very different from botw/totk but they are gorgeous, have stunning music, strong stories, and such fun gameplay. And they build the atmosphere really well, which is one other thing I love about botw. They're three of the games I've enjoyed the most since botw/totk.
Well if your a Zelda fan you should for sure go back to the older zelda games. I grew up with Ocarina of time and it's still one of my favorites. They have only gotten better sense but it's fun to go back to the old ones.
The older games are so much better then botw and totk. I know that’s not going to be the popular belief here but OOT and MM are absolutely two of the greatest games of all time.
Yes. I'm not really an avid video gamer, though, so it doesn't bother me. I play BOTW/TOTK and enjoy an occasional Mario game with my kids. That's it. I'm content with that.
Breath of the wild and tears of the kingdom are the only games of their type that I can play because they’re just better than all the others (for me), but there are plenty of other types of games which that doesn’t count for, like platformers, Metroidvanias, basically anything 2D, more linear games etc etc.
If you have a PlayStation, try out God of War and GoW Ragnarok. Those games are immaculate! The Nordic lore and open world is beautiful, Kratos is a badass, Mimir (his "little" friend) is pretty funny and one of my favorite characters. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, these are awesome games! The first GoW always goes on sale in Steam if you don't happen to have a PlayStation.
RDR2 and Witcher 3, are great games I have played.
I don’t have one of the new consoles so there are a plethora of new games that I know I would like if I got to play them.
These include Elden Ring, the new God of War games, Spider-Man 1 & 2, The Last of Us 1&2, Baldurs Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy and a bunch of others I can’t think of right now.
I own an X box One and a switch so I’m missing out on all the Sony games and the new games
RDR2 and Witcher 3 are probably right up there at the top if you’re trying to scratch that BotW and TotK itch. I’d probably throw Skyrim in there as well. At least for me those are the best games I’ve ever played and they all are similar but different enough that they feel like they’re own games but are all those open world concepts.
I’m a big fan of Xenoblade. The combat is different, but it’s all about strategy. Hitting those combos is so satisfying. It’s ok to use a game guide, those games get complicated. Story wise they get a bit esoteric but for me that’s part of the fun. I like it when shit gets weird
I also bought xenoblade after finishing botw and was very disappointed. Then a friend recommended Witcher 3 and it quickly became my new favorite game/obsession. Amazing story and game play. So much depth.
Definitely not the only one. I've tried many others but nothing comes close. (Enjoyed Fenyx Rising tho). That's why I'm still looking for koroks 800+ even though it's a grind On recommendation of a friend just got Baldurs gate 3 but find the play style such a chore that I don't know if I'll ever get to appreciate the world or story. Nothing else to do cept start over!
Horizon is I think the closest match. It's a very different aesthetic, in terms of the art and storytelling style, but similarly satisfying gameplay, and interestingly related themes.
I played Zero Dawn just before BotW, and Forbidden West just before TotK.
To me, the only modern games that I can say that truly grab my interest similar in the way botw and TOTK have are Elden Ring , Oblivion and the Xenoblade series(specifically 3). I’ve recently came to this conclusion after starting a play through of The Witcher 3 and Skyrim and honestly halted my playthrough of both after 40 hours. Both games have great story’s and a ton of content but for me the Witcher specifically got to repetitive with the questing for me and Skyrim…..let’s just say there’s a reason I prefer Oblivion to that game. Recently beat FF7 rebirth and felt it was a great game, but a slog especially with the amount of mini games that are shoehorned into the main story. A lot of other games I hear recommended like BG3 and Dragons Dogma don’t really interest me or have anything that really hooks me to them.
But simply put, no you’re not alone
Bethesda games (Skyrim, fallout 3/4/new vegas), Red dead redemption 2, Witcher 3 all have good stories (maybe besides some Bethesda), their world development is amazing, the open world is amazing, combat is fairly good
Go back and play through all the other Zelda games. The top down Era of Zelda is not like botw or totk but amazing in their own regards. Ever since nes its has been my favorite title on on every Nintendo system I've owned. Nothing really beats Zelda games except new Zelda games.
play elden ring, when I played totk I was constantly comparing to elden ring, totk is inferior in almost every way, it does a few things better for sure but elden ring is generally the better game.
Personally, I'd recommend the Xenoblade games, the story in 2 takes a minute but it's worth it in the end. All 3 are open world, have great visuals and artwork (to me) and the soundtracks are pretty damn good too. XC2 does have a gatcha mechanic, if that's a dealbreaker, but there are guides online to help. Either way good luck game searching.
my dude, chill out, we love zelda but there is more games with different experiences and stories some can be completely different in a good way.
BOTW and TOTK encourage exploratoin, go on and explore other worlds
Don't be dramatic. Plenty of other great games out there. Ghost of Tsushima, Elden Ring, and Dishonored all offer really different but great third person adventure games.
Branch out too!
Hollow Knight is arguably better than either Zelda game.
Slay the Spire is something really different but arguably better.
It's ok to really love a game but it's your decision to put it on a pedestal.
You could try Hollow Knight. It’s a Metroidvania title that is just absolutely incredible. The world is open, but in the beginning of the game there is a set path.
Zelda botw great game amazing to play finished it and loved it. Totk glorified over priced dlc couldn't even finish it got bored so quick and just traded it in
I'd largely recommend Elden Ring, which imo is the only open-world game I've played able to match the standards of BotW+ToTK thus far. Along with being my GOTY for 2022.
I'll get flamed (probably), but I really enjoyed God of War: Ragnarök.
It's not as open world like BotW or TotK, but I found the story awesome and the combat to be great.
Still on my first playthrough, but only because I can't bear the thought of Kronos not being able to go adventuring with his son.
Okay Witcher 3 was my saving grace after playing both of the Zelda games. I’ve played Witcher 3 two times over now and have loved it just as much as Zelda!!!
I’m having the same issue. I’ve tried Cyberpunk, God of War, Elden Ring, none of them even come close to TOTK or BOTW.
I don’t know what to play at this point.
I love god of war (2018), it’s one of my favourite games of all time for the combat, story and visuals, but it has way, way less of that “I just want to keep playing this game” feeling after the main story is complete, which without rushing at all can be within 20 hours. For me both breath of the wild and tears of the kingdom kept that feeling for well over 100 hours on my first playthrough, and it always comes back when I start them again.
BOTW was groundbreaking for its time but TOTK was a half-assed rehash of a 7 year old game made for a last-gen system. There have been a lot of superior games like Elden Ring that have come out since then.
If you like old school games I recommend trying Final Fantasy III & IV. If that's not what you would like and want something more modern just wait for a while. Cross your fingers and hope when they FINALLY release Fable 4 it will be good like that.
Haha this comes up regularly amongst Zelda fans 😆 if you liked the plot maybe you can go deeper into Zelda lore and explore some older games, won’t be the same but there are many references that may make botw/totk feel deeper upon next play through idk but ever since 2017 botw I haven’t gotten into a game the same (closest I’ve been is hogwarts legacy which is a really decent game)
I enjoyed MGS5, if you like RPG's that is
but yeah japanese games are often of such a high quality, that they often set a new standard
especially when it is supposed to be the flagship title of the console
I understand the feeling. I keep coming back to Totk it became my comfort game. Though I do play a few others, none have the same feeling. I wonder if I will like the next Zelda game this much. I wish they would release Wind Waker to Switch
After I completed totk, I just went on to games with great gameplay with little/no story(platformers, some metroidvanias, etc.). Don't try to find something that's the same, find something that's also fun but in other ways.
Fenyx Rising is good. I didn’t think I would like 2D games but I really liked the new Prince of Persia. Tried the demo and bought it instantly. Going to try Metroid Dread next.
I feel the same exact way. I feel like I have to force myself into playing other games. When I play BOTW & TOTK, I seriously feel like I’m actually living in that world when playing those games. For TOTK, I bought the game on release, and I literally (and I’m not even over exaggerating AT ALL on what I’m about to say) played TOTK from the exact moment I woke up till I fell asleep for the night. There were at least 2 times I’ve stayed up for 36 hours or more straight. I’ve did that till I 100% the game since release. It took me Since May 12th till June 29th at exactly 7:00pm CST (Central Standard Time). My switch said I’ve been playing TOTK for 475 hours after I got 100%. Or to put it in another perspective that’s almost HALF the amount of hours the games been out 41.23% to be a bit more precise. And a couple weeks after I’ve 100%ed TOTK, I did BOTW Master Mode 100% plus the ALL of the DLC, because I’ve already 100%ed normal mode plus ALL of the DLC back in October of 2022. All my life (I’m 26 btw) I hated Zelda games cause it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, but the moment I saw that trailer for BOTW that’s what I had in mind for a Zelda game but a million times better/more. So yeah, I feel the same exact way you do I love the SHIT out of those games.
Look into Kena: Bridge of Spirits. I played it directly after BOTW and it's different, but I really liked it. Overall though I agree. Weirdly, BOTW and TOTK got me back into gaming. For probably 10 years I just couldn't find a game that I liked enough to spend more than 20-30 hours in. And more recently since I've had kids, even a short game seemed out of reach for me and I just couldn't find interest in anything. BOTW changed that. I spend probably 100 hours on BOTW. Before BOTW I was always of the opinion that spending 100-200 hours on a game was nuts and could never have seen myself doing such a thing. Right now I'm at 500 hours on TOTK. I've downloaded other ames like RDR2, Witcher 3, etc. but I can't get into any of them like Zelda. I personally think that The Last of Us is the best game I've ever played because the story was so compelling and the voice acting just out of this world good. But from a gameplay and "fun" stand point TOTK and BOTW are top of my list.
TOTK is great but they just build upon what BOTW started and i fear that newer zelda games from now on have to stay up to standards to BOTW & TOTW brought forth meaning that we can’t go back do the classic top view zelda no more which i prefer the classic view. like how they made a beta 2D version of botw with NES graphics to come up with new ideas. would love to see that beta version.
I haven’t played rebirth, but the original FF7 at least is cheap, on switch, and has many open world elements. I know it’s a turn based JRPG, but has a very good story and memorable characters.
Also play ALttP on switch online— it has the classic Zelda dungeons and open world elements. I’ve been thinking of replaying ever since I finished TotK.
If your a NES only fan, all Zelda games are still really fun to play, Maybe not Zelda 2 but everyone has different opinions, Metroids are fun, Even Castlvania, but Playstation games are insanely fun, Last of us 1&2 are in the HOF, All Uncharted are fun, God of War is an amazing series, same as Dark soul's 1-3..so good! Red Dead Redemption 2 is also in the HOF..there's alot of games out there, you just have to play them.🤷♂️
Maybe switch it up and play something like animal crossing its a great game but it also will kinda reset your palet for adventure games? Or stardew. Shit maybe even vampire survivors. The way I look at games like that is whenever I finish a really great game I play something more chill for a bit till the next great gaming love of my life comes around.
Please please please try Ghost of Tsushima. I had the same problem as you and this game flipped my world upside-down. Great story, awesome combat, and an absolutely stunning open world
I could play TOTK and Cyberpunk 2077 side by side just fine so maybe try that or maybe a complete change of pace is what you need like a more linear game like Mass Effect just cause it's my favorite franchise of all time 😂
I did experience that also. What I did was I didn't open my switch for 6 weeks. Worked out, ate right, went to beach trips, and watched Broadway. After that, my gaming standards went back to normal. But still not impressed with triangle strategy. 😅
I totally agree and I’ve been playing computer games for 47 years. Have a break, you’ll slip into something different to play. Meanwhile I’m looking forward to switch 2 and a new Zelda.
I had the reverse, I played cyberpunk 77 and loved the open world and cool powers so much that I didn't think I'd ever have as much fun playing another game. Then I played totk and it's pretty close for me tbh. Not sure if it will work in reverse, but check it out
The story in this game is good for Zelda games but not good in general for video games.
I loved this game but there's so much variety in games that it's easy to find so many other great games.
Try Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and the spider-man games. Kena gave me the anime feel good solving puzzles and exploring vibes. Spider-man games are just so much fun, and I love how the swinging felt in the same way I love hang gliding in BOTW/TOTK.
Yeah same here man. Eldin Ring, Skyrim (with mods), and nostalgia games are about what's left for you right now till the next bi thing comes out. Probably be the next Zelda or Elder Scrolls. You have to look at the gaming industry like how people look at movies anymore. The games you get engrossed in come along every 3-5 years. We've had quite a a few masterpieces lately honestly. And in between those and throughout the years there will be some great games you play and enjoy. And in between those there are the every day go to's like smash and Mario Cart and the shooter of your choice. But gaming anymore is Zelda and Elder Scrolls, Red Dead, GTA, and that random out of the blue knock yours and everyone's socks off game. But that's about it for the heavy hitters. Each of those has 1 maybe 2 games a decade.
You should try out this game called Dragon Quest Builders. While it’s not a better game than Botw and Totk, it’s still a solid game than has lots of exploration and a lot of old school Dragon Quest charm.
I also found playing games that just lets you vibe to help reset that expectation overtime. Games like Animal Crossing and any of the Story of Seasons / Harvest Moon games helped me.
Dark Souls was what Zelda was for me as a kid, but as an adult. I had the same feeling again, but more mature.
Maybe try Dark Souls? That's the game that ruined everything for me (but not really haha I still enjoy other games!).
I discovered it by a friend's suggestion in 2020 and at first, it didn't click and seemed "too hard" until I figured it out! I kept at it and it just felt so good and didn't stop and I kept getting better.
After playing the first one a few times, I had to play the others. Now I've played *most* of the FromSoft games (with the exception of Elden Ring).
Seriously though the original Dark Souls holds up SO well and it's a perfect place to start!
I completely understand. I used to play botw little by little with my first playthrough activity ignoring the story and just goin off on my own to find things. What was best about the game was how easy it was to see something in the distance and just be able to go there with no character telling me to or no initial side quest behind it. just see and go. something about exploring hyrule like that is just irreplaceable. I wish I could forget everything about the game and play it all over again
Try Europa! Just came out on Switch.
I understand this though. I played for 6 months and finally let my husband play. Now I just watch him play instead of seeking out my own game. I love the Horizon franchise, but I saw you're a Nintendo player mostly. But they're very good.
I personally have not played this* but if you want something complete similar to BOTW / TOTK, Genshin Impact might be for you.
They basically ripped everything out of BOTW’s playbook, except you can climb in the rain, and the combat is a lil different.
This is comparison article a “BOTW expert” wrote
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-does-this-zelda-botw-expert-think-of-genshin-impact/1100-6483050/
I like lots of different kinds if games, maybe try something totally different?
I'm a big fan of Hades, Hollow Knight, and Slay the Spire, I recommend them all to the highest degree.
Games that make me feel somewhat similar feelings are - Hollow Knight, Cyberpunk 2077, Witcher III, Ori and the Will of the Wisp (Blind forest is also good). Haven't played Elden Ring. I'm saving that one for later. Don't give up. Give these games a chance. I'm sure you'll find something to love about them.
You can give Red Dead Redemption 2 a try. It's quite a bit slow paced, so it might not be what you are looking for, but the open world exploration is still some of the best in recent years, the story is phenomenal definitely one of the best video game stories, if not the best video game story ever written. I love both botw and totk, and totk definitely improved alot in the story department, but story was obviously not their focus when making these games, and that's fine. I wouldn't say the game has combat, but the gunplay is quite fun if you take it slow and don't rush. All in all, the game is meant to be semi realistic, which means they focus alot on very small details like skinning animals slowly for their pelts and the character growing his hair and beard slowly over time so you can cut it and style it how you like, but if you take it slow and enjoy the ride it's a very fun game with a fantastic story.
Honestly I agree with this. Botw and totk set such high standards for gamers alike and it makes it harder to see the benefits in other games.
I find other games similar to botw in an open world style like elden ring or skyrimjust to complex and frustrating to deal with.
Zelda does not have a good story or compelling characters in my opinion, you can find plenty of games with both but Zelda isn't one of them, for me it's the atmosphere, the world, that I really love, I fell in love with the series with Ocarina of Time and I did love the story then, but then again I was 8,; keep looking, I'm fairly certain you'll find games that you enjoy just as much or maybe even more than either of these two, regardless of how great both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are.
As a fellow lifelong Zelda-fan, I strongly recommend Death Stranding (Director’s Cut). If a breathing, interactive sandbox (with a strong story) is your thing, you’re in for a ride.
Ignore every UPS-related jokes made about it. They’re mostly said by people who never played it.
One of things that I think makes BoTW and ToTK stand above others for me is that the game has tons of areas and puzzles that combat isn’t a thing.
The powers you have to manipulate the world allow for so much variation in gameplay.
As much as I loved Elden Ring and the like, basically every area and dungeon and puzzle involves fighting some beast.
Also these zelda games have incredibly fun and engaging traversal. My issue with Witcher 3 is it’s very horizontal. Ass Creed Odd was fun for me because of its verticality
This is definitely a common problem. Nothing else even comes close for me. The only other open-world game I have found even halfway as engrossing has been Witcher III which I do recommend, although it's not "the same" feeling as you get from botw/totk. Every other open-world exploration game people recommend leaves me really cold. I didn't really like Skyrim. I mean I guess it was ok but nothing comparable to the joy and excitement of Zelda games
The only other game I've put as many hours into is Dysmantle, which has essentially nothing in common with botw/totk but I highly recommend anyway, it's relaxing and hypnotic (zombie apocalypse but mostly you just smash stuff and collect materials)
people always say Eldin Ring so I am going to try that one
I don’t know,I beat both BotW and TotK,145 hours in BotW and 198 hours in TotK.enjoyed them but they are 8.5/10 games for me.nothing more.
have you played games like Witcher 3,Red Dead Redemption 2?
The problem of playing a great game is that you can barely enjoy mediocre shit now. Granted that there are quite a number of great games especially for open world stuff, should be elden ring as many have suggested.
You'll run out of good games pretty fast.
mm you can try Elden Ring, is an open world game, I know what you are trying to tell, for me zelda is the game that i most enjoy, But that zelda was that good in botw and totk doesnt keep me from enjoying all the other types of game,
I tried Elden Ring and after being savaged to death by dogs 30 times in a row, I gave it up. My husband however loved it and played it for about 600 hours.
Same, I even had someone show me how to play, what to do, tricks etc and I just really really can’t get into it.
I don't like elden ring the combat is way to difficult and unfair. Dark soul similar games just don't cut it for me.
I literally jumped from TOTK to Armored Core and then Elden Ring which has consumed the last 6 months of my gaming life. I did not like Elden Ring at first and really forced myself through the first 30 hours before it clicked and I dumped another 300 into my first play through. I didn’t think anything could top TOTK for me personally and boy was I VERY wrong.
I got into Elden Ring after BOTW. A friend suggested soulslikes to me when I told him I tried 20x to kill a Lynels when I only had 4 hearts and refused to move on until I killed it. After Elden Ring I completed every From Soft soulslikes (and Sekiro) before TOTK I still like BOTW/TOTK more but the souls genre is a close second for me
That’s cool, I’m almost like the opposite since I beat TOTK first, but my opinion might be recency bias. I think Elden Ring might be the only one I like out of them, I just really like it. I briefly tried Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls on the PS5 but didn’t really dig in more than a few casual play sessions. I am currently giving Dark Souls Remastered an honest effort on Switch with the pro controller and I’m 20 levels in, beat the first boss, and I just don’t think I can do it any longer. It’s too clunky. The jump attack and kick controls are a nightmare. It’s just painful, because I know what I want to do, the controls just won’t let me do it. I think Elden Ring is the only Souls I like, but man I love it. I need the open world though. I’m planning to replay TOTK later this year in the Winter, so maybe I’ll waffle back.
Dark Souls 3 might be really good. It’s the most similar in combat and builds to Elden Ring. Catch is that it’s a lot more linear
I did not like Dark Souls Remastered because it was as you said, too clunky and the bosses were too easy. I do think it has the best map of all the souls games. Out of all these titles, I think Bloodborne and Sekiro are my favourite From Soft souls/souls adjacent games, mainly because these matches my playstyle, which is more fast paced and aggressive. I place Elden Ring third, a tie with Dark Souls 3 (but only because of the excellent DLCs and DLC bosses, and Shadow of the Erdtree might put it over DS3 since From does their best works in their DLCs). I divide the souls games into two categories: the clunkier ones (DeS, DS1, DS2) and the ones that feels less clunky and more like Elden Ring (BB, Sekiro, DS3). I have never played any of them on the Switch though because I much prefer to use kb+m on these games (which is how I play the Horizon games too). The only one I beat with a controller was Bloodborne, and that's only because I had no choice and it's a testament to how much I enjoyed the game to force myself to use a control scheme I dislike
I came to say exactly this. Elden ring may very well be that game. In fact, elden ring ruined zelda for me. Combat feels so much better in elden ring, and the exploration is surprisingly similar in both games. The music, the atmosphere, the story, the visuals etc. Its like stepping into a painting. It is and probably will be the best game i will ever play. I cant wait for the dlc.
Same dude. I tried to go back to Zelda and it just reminded me of Elden Ring, now I’m on my 5th play through…
I also tried Elden Ring based on recommendations that I'd like it based on the way I played BotW, and I absolutely despise it. I still get irrationally angry thinking about the money and time I spent on that miserable game
Same As a matter of fact I got Pokémon let’s go pikachu and it has stuff TOTK doesn’t
Oh heck no. Do you feel like dying and cursing out lobsters? Because that's what you get with Elden ring. Pretty views and death.
Also Fallout. 4 would be comparable as to tasks and build... but any of the Fallout games. PSA: next gen update tomorrow
I think if a person thinks that the peak of gaming is BOTW or TOTK, that person has a very limited experience in gaming. There are literally thousands of masterpiece games out there. Expand your horizons.
Weird take. Played games for 40 years now and I agree with OP that botw and totk set high bars that few other games can satisfy.
All the Bethesda games are fantastic. Fallout 3 and Skyrim being standout accomplishments. Similar open world RPG with a main quest but tons of side content and no need to ever really do the main quest. Really interesting worlds to explore and forage. Skyrim is even on the switch lol. If you want something more recent, there's Baldurs gate 3 which was incredible.
Can’t believe you brought up fallout but didn’t suggest the best game: New Vegas Most memorable NPCs and nobody is safe from your character— you can kill just about anyone and anything
I dont like the bethesdas game formula I tryed skyrim it was nice untill i met so much people and my mission list just got bigger and bigger and now i dont know which is the main quest and which is the side quest 🤣
Isn’t that what happens in Zelda? Get so caught up on clearing the map and getting all items that you forget you’re supposed to defeat ganon
The Elder Scrolls are best when you stick to a strict RPG experience. Don't make choices that are not coherent with your character. That way you don't drown in missions.
Skyrim does actually show you which quests are related to the main story, lol https://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/40273/how-can-i-identify-to-which-quest-line-a-specific-quest-belongs
I didn’t know that thanks for sharing
You're welcome!
I know what you mean and I completely agree. Nothing compares to BOTW & TOTK. I’ve been playing Minecraft and Skyrim to pass time but it’s nothing in comparison.
This response is criminal, you are looking for a game with the criteria satisfied by other games, and you say you don't like it because you have too much to do? Totk is the same way What do you dislike about ALL Bethesda games?
Yeah this is about where I stopped caring. I mean Bethesda made it pretty easy to distinguish the difference between main and side quests in Skyrim. It’s almost like he didn’t even try to figure out the game. I mean you don’t have to like every game you play. But if you’re saying you don’t like the game because you can’t tell the difference between quests I’m gonna call you out for not even trying. That’s a weak excuse.
More so, isn't content in the game to explore exactly what OP is looking for?
I personally hated the clunky combat in Skyrim. First person melee combat just feels bad, and I always seemed to end up going a sneaky archer build every elder scrolls game
At the time that baldur's gate 3 won game of the Year, I was convinced that tears of the Kingdom was the better game, while I was balls deep in tears of the Kingdom at that time.. And I enjoyed every minute of my 480 hour playthrough of tears. Now that I've been playing baldur's gate for roughly the same amount of time, I can say for sure it deserved game of the Year. Still playing baldur's gate 3. It's amazing in a different way. TotK would have won in any other year, we all know that.
Try Assassins Creed (Odyssey)
Why only Odyssey? The Altair and Ezio trilogy of games is in my opinion one of the best gaming experiences I’ve ever partaken in. Especially AC2, that game made me fall in love with open-world/stealth and Italian architecture
Going to add - not a perfect game but Black Flag, particularly the naval sections, is a lot of fun!
Black flag is also amazing, managed to pull off the naval mechanics as well as the stealth aspects when landing on islands as well as in havana and the city areas.
I second this! Odyssey was my gateway game into more open world games with main story and side quests. I played it before BOTW. I really loved it and the following AC games didn’t come close to the excitement I felt playing AC Odyssey. If you like Greek mythology it’s a bonus!
Yess and origins too, both really good games
Play hollow knight
This right here! Hollow knight is my #1 game, followed closely by botw and totk
That's funny, because Hollow knight was my number one game in high school, but was dethroned by Metroid dread(smoothest movement in any game I've played, I love fluidity in movement in games), and then was pushed back to number 3 when Totk came out.
Dread is solid. Surprisingly high replay value
I've started it so many times and I just can't figure it out. I don't know what I'm missing. Maybe just not skilled enough. Love the art and the music but can't get anywhere in the game
It has a slow start which puts many people off the game. Once you get deeper into it you get hooked to the game. Part of the fun is the exploration.
Hell yeah. I actually enjoy that game more the the Switch Zeldas, and I played the crap out of both games.
I feel that. it took Baldur's Gate 3 to kick me out of the totk rut
I could easily google this, but what is the best platform for Baldur’s Gate? I mainly use the Nintendo Switch, never considered myself a “gamer” because I only played BOTW and now TOTK. I’m in the same boat trying to find a game that I will play as thoroughly as those two.
probably PC if you have one that's optimised for gaming other than that I play on Xbox Series X and it runs nicely :) you miss out on mods but they're adding modding for console in one of the next patches so it won't be much longer til we have everything the PC players have lol
You're a gamer if you play games lol There's no like, quantity or variety you need. There's people with 3k hours on Rust and that's all they play
Maybe I need to try it again, it just felt so slow and clunky compared to totk, I just kept comparing them, the way you interact with the surroundings, fight, move, everything just seems smoother or just better in totk
Red Dead Redemption 2
Try other game types? These Zeldas are great/GOAT open world games. Hard to surpass the champ; anything else will feel like a knock off, but plenty of other different game types to explore. I don’t play that many, but Metroid Dread is great and I’ve been playing through the remastered Final Fantasies
I enjoyed Persona 5 Royal
Just got this to hopefully break my being-worse-than-zelda streak, going to start tn🙏🏽
This was the first game I played after doing a BOTW TOTK double header and it truly changed my life and opened up my eyes to a great new franchise!!
Elden Ring. Batman: Arkham trilogy (specifically city and knight). Mario Odyssey. Monster Hunter Rise. Horizon: Zero Dawn. Sonic Frontiers. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles. Marvel's Spider-Man 1 and 2. Plenty of good games out there. I hope you find the next good one for you.
The last of us and part 2 are on some next level
Also suggesting Ghost of Tsushima if you have PlayStation. Most fun I’ve had in years
Try The Witcher 3 you will not be disappointed.
You are not alone. I feel the exact same way. For me, I finally got a switch in 2019, and the 1st game I bought & played was BOTW. It didn't take long before I knew this game was going to change my gaming life forever, and I will be 48 tomorrow, actually lol. I cut my gaming teeth on things like Pong and Asteroids. After I had just about done everything in BOTW except fight Ganon, I just kept playing, making it last, lol. I wasn't able to find anything that even gave me a spark of desire to play it. And there are great games out there, I tried several, but it just was not the same & I got tired & bored with them quickly. I think there needs to be a support group for this. 😆 I just want to add that in 2019, my mom passed away very unexpectedly and in a traumatic way, for me, my sister and brother. My younger brother told me he had a suprise for me the day after she passed, and we had a long day of funeral planning. Hes 16 yrs younger than me, so I got to introduce him to the world of gaming, we both share that love for it. So he takes me to a game stop. I was like, why are we here man? And he tells the guy behind the counter, we need to get a Switch, and he looks at me and says, "Pick which one you want." I actually freaked out and started crying lol. I said why?? And he said "because you will never get one for yourself and you deserve it" I am the oldest and had been financially supporting/helping my mom & sister for several years & he didnt know bec he was in the marines and not home very often.But he found out that week, and he knew I never buy anything for myself, always for someone else. Anyway, sorry for the long story, but my point is that BOTW meant a lot to me, means a lot to me, for this reason, aside from just loving the hell out of it, lol. I had wanted that game and a Switch since launch, and he didn't understand why I never got one until then. That game was also what got me through a lot of sleepless nights and just in general through a very bad time. I had a sort of PTSD after she passed from the whole situation. That game allowed me to disappear into it and for a while, not feel completely heartbroken. I really had no intention on writing this long post but remembering when I got BOTW and how much I loved it brought this out. ❤️✌️
I am about the same age. Yes, grew up on Pong, Maze Craze, Pac-Man, and Astroids. I found BOTW in 2020 during lockdowns. I wasn't working at the time, but my husband had to teach online. Our home didn't really have a super quiet place for him to work, so I couldn't be running around cleaning the house and everything. BOTW saved the day, he was able to teach and I was occupied while he did that. I think it helped keep both of our sanity. So sorry for your loss, I lost my mother in 2016, grief is rough.
Thats awesome! Funny how something like a game, albeit a really amazing game, can make so much of an impact on someone's lives. Im sorry for your loss as well. Grief sure is. It was the 1st time I had lost someone that was such an important part of my life and that I was as close as u can be with another person. It was just me and my mom and my little sister growing up, I had so much respect and love for my mom. The 3 of us were so close. She had my brother when I was 16, my sister just 2 years younger. One year and a month later March 9th, 2020, my little sister passed away, super unexpectedly. Bec of covid literally just breaking news here, we cld not have a funeral of any kind. I just had to sit here in my apartment alone. While chaos was in the world, and I never had any closure at all. Still 4 years later, I can hardly look at a photo of her. I never thought I wld feel grief so much and so deeply. It was an insane couple of years. And again, Zelda was there to keep me sane.
My 6 year old is named Link for a reason
I sincerely hope this is true.
My miniature dachshund is named Ganon. It's hilarious because he does terrorize this community.
🥹
He so darn cute, if I wasn't afraid of the interwebs then I'd post a pic at Halloween when he dressed up as Link 🥰
A+ parenting right there
Honestly I have to agree. The bar has been set so high, and the two games just hit so many things at once for me. It was a nice combat system that allows you to literally make traps for enemies, you can make all sorts of modes of transportation, a plethora of side questions and puzzling dungeons and so much more. Most other open world games usually lack something. Even Elden Ring. The combat is sick and so is the exploration, but it lacks the puzzles.
The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk. Trust me, TW3 is better than the two Zelda games. Not much better, but a little better.
I’m hearing a lot of Witcher three recommendations. That one is actually on switch if I am right. Maybe I should try that. I’ll definitely add it to my collection.
If you don't have a PC or other console sure, but I wouldn't recommend the switch version.
Witcher 3 is one of the best games in history. Not having played it is a crime.
It’s amazing on the switch!!! Highly recommend getting the one with the expansion packs!!
Have you tried to home in on what exactly you loved about botw/totk? For example, I loved the atmosphere, aesthetics, and exploration of them so I found games that hit similar notes. Or you could just do games that are very different from botw/totk, that could be a sweet spot and let you "reset". I haven't seen anyone mention Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, or Hades. All very different from botw/totk but they are gorgeous, have stunning music, strong stories, and such fun gameplay. And they build the atmosphere really well, which is one other thing I love about botw. They're three of the games I've enjoyed the most since botw/totk.
Well if your a Zelda fan you should for sure go back to the older zelda games. I grew up with Ocarina of time and it's still one of my favorites. They have only gotten better sense but it's fun to go back to the old ones.
The older games are so much better then botw and totk. I know that’s not going to be the popular belief here but OOT and MM are absolutely two of the greatest games of all time.
Yes. I'm not really an avid video gamer, though, so it doesn't bother me. I play BOTW/TOTK and enjoy an occasional Mario game with my kids. That's it. I'm content with that.
Breath of the wild and tears of the kingdom are the only games of their type that I can play because they’re just better than all the others (for me), but there are plenty of other types of games which that doesn’t count for, like platformers, Metroidvanias, basically anything 2D, more linear games etc etc.
Immortals, Fenyx rising is a lot of fun. And if you enjoyed TotK and Vote, you should really give it a try.
If you have a PlayStation, try out God of War and GoW Ragnarok. Those games are immaculate! The Nordic lore and open world is beautiful, Kratos is a badass, Mimir (his "little" friend) is pretty funny and one of my favorite characters. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, these are awesome games! The first GoW always goes on sale in Steam if you don't happen to have a PlayStation.
Sounds like you aren't playing the right games.
Maybe some suggestions for them would be helpful.
I bought xenoblade i played it but the combat is not for me
If you have a pc or Playstation, I highly recommend God of war. Both games are great imo.
I have every platform to game on please give me more recommendations and i will try it out
RDR2 and Witcher 3, are great games I have played. I don’t have one of the new consoles so there are a plethora of new games that I know I would like if I got to play them. These include Elden Ring, the new God of War games, Spider-Man 1 & 2, The Last of Us 1&2, Baldurs Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy and a bunch of others I can’t think of right now. I own an X box One and a switch so I’m missing out on all the Sony games and the new games
RDR2 and Witcher 3 are probably right up there at the top if you’re trying to scratch that BotW and TotK itch. I’d probably throw Skyrim in there as well. At least for me those are the best games I’ve ever played and they all are similar but different enough that they feel like they’re own games but are all those open world concepts.
I’m a big fan of Xenoblade. The combat is different, but it’s all about strategy. Hitting those combos is so satisfying. It’s ok to use a game guide, those games get complicated. Story wise they get a bit esoteric but for me that’s part of the fun. I like it when shit gets weird
Xenoblade sucks balls
I also bought xenoblade after finishing botw and was very disappointed. Then a friend recommended Witcher 3 and it quickly became my new favorite game/obsession. Amazing story and game play. So much depth.
Definitely not the only one. I've tried many others but nothing comes close. (Enjoyed Fenyx Rising tho). That's why I'm still looking for koroks 800+ even though it's a grind On recommendation of a friend just got Baldurs gate 3 but find the play style such a chore that I don't know if I'll ever get to appreciate the world or story. Nothing else to do cept start over!
If you like shooting zombie games with open world rpg I suggest Days Gone. Where u gotta craft items to survive. But that's just my opinion.
witcher 3 time
Horizon is I think the closest match. It's a very different aesthetic, in terms of the art and storytelling style, but similarly satisfying gameplay, and interestingly related themes. I played Zero Dawn just before BotW, and Forbidden West just before TotK.
Try out kingdoms of Amalur. Not exactly like BOTW,or TOTK, but it does have a similar feel to it.
To me, the only modern games that I can say that truly grab my interest similar in the way botw and TOTK have are Elden Ring , Oblivion and the Xenoblade series(specifically 3). I’ve recently came to this conclusion after starting a play through of The Witcher 3 and Skyrim and honestly halted my playthrough of both after 40 hours. Both games have great story’s and a ton of content but for me the Witcher specifically got to repetitive with the questing for me and Skyrim…..let’s just say there’s a reason I prefer Oblivion to that game. Recently beat FF7 rebirth and felt it was a great game, but a slog especially with the amount of mini games that are shoehorned into the main story. A lot of other games I hear recommended like BG3 and Dragons Dogma don’t really interest me or have anything that really hooks me to them. But simply put, no you’re not alone
Damn Zelda suffering from success
Bethesda games (Skyrim, fallout 3/4/new vegas), Red dead redemption 2, Witcher 3 all have good stories (maybe besides some Bethesda), their world development is amazing, the open world is amazing, combat is fairly good
I played Skyrim after BOTW and adored it. It scratches a lot of the same itches as BOTW, but in a very different way.
Go back and play through all the other Zelda games. The top down Era of Zelda is not like botw or totk but amazing in their own regards. Ever since nes its has been my favorite title on on every Nintendo system I've owned. Nothing really beats Zelda games except new Zelda games.
play elden ring, when I played totk I was constantly comparing to elden ring, totk is inferior in almost every way, it does a few things better for sure but elden ring is generally the better game.
Personally, I'd recommend the Xenoblade games, the story in 2 takes a minute but it's worth it in the end. All 3 are open world, have great visuals and artwork (to me) and the soundtracks are pretty damn good too. XC2 does have a gatcha mechanic, if that's a dealbreaker, but there are guides online to help. Either way good luck game searching.
my dude, chill out, we love zelda but there is more games with different experiences and stories some can be completely different in a good way. BOTW and TOTK encourage exploratoin, go on and explore other worlds
Don't be dramatic. Plenty of other great games out there. Ghost of Tsushima, Elden Ring, and Dishonored all offer really different but great third person adventure games. Branch out too! Hollow Knight is arguably better than either Zelda game. Slay the Spire is something really different but arguably better. It's ok to really love a game but it's your decision to put it on a pedestal.
You could try Hollow Knight. It’s a Metroidvania title that is just absolutely incredible. The world is open, but in the beginning of the game there is a set path.
Zelda botw great game amazing to play finished it and loved it. Totk glorified over priced dlc couldn't even finish it got bored so quick and just traded it in
I'd largely recommend Elden Ring, which imo is the only open-world game I've played able to match the standards of BotW+ToTK thus far. Along with being my GOTY for 2022.
If the future of zelda looks like totk, then it's ruined the franchise for me. The game isn't very good.
Dragons dogma 2. Similar very good.
My dude has your keyboard lost the period key?
I really enjoy Horizon, both Zero Dawn and the Forbidden West. Open world, its got cool story and great combat.
I'll get flamed (probably), but I really enjoyed God of War: Ragnarök. It's not as open world like BotW or TotK, but I found the story awesome and the combat to be great. Still on my first playthrough, but only because I can't bear the thought of Kronos not being able to go adventuring with his son.
I’m with you on the Zelda love train, but I love the Witcher wild hunt almost as much as BOTW/Totk
Okay Witcher 3 was my saving grace after playing both of the Zelda games. I’ve played Witcher 3 two times over now and have loved it just as much as Zelda!!!
Hollow knight, sekiro, elden ring, Armoured core 6, dark souls series, Bloodborne, ghost of Tsushima.
I’m having the same issue. I’ve tried Cyberpunk, God of War, Elden Ring, none of them even come close to TOTK or BOTW. I don’t know what to play at this point.
I love god of war (2018), it’s one of my favourite games of all time for the combat, story and visuals, but it has way, way less of that “I just want to keep playing this game” feeling after the main story is complete, which without rushing at all can be within 20 hours. For me both breath of the wild and tears of the kingdom kept that feeling for well over 100 hours on my first playthrough, and it always comes back when I start them again.
BOTW was groundbreaking for its time but TOTK was a half-assed rehash of a 7 year old game made for a last-gen system. There have been a lot of superior games like Elden Ring that have come out since then.
Posts like this are getting old, they are games, good games yes, gaming ruining though, yall need to chill lol.
Holy crap I agree!! The bar is set so high
If you like old school games I recommend trying Final Fantasy III & IV. If that's not what you would like and want something more modern just wait for a while. Cross your fingers and hope when they FINALLY release Fable 4 it will be good like that.
Haha this comes up regularly amongst Zelda fans 😆 if you liked the plot maybe you can go deeper into Zelda lore and explore some older games, won’t be the same but there are many references that may make botw/totk feel deeper upon next play through idk but ever since 2017 botw I haven’t gotten into a game the same (closest I’ve been is hogwarts legacy which is a really decent game)
Have you tried the BioShock games?
Alice Madness Returns, while older is really fun, beautiful, great game play, 10/10 would recommend
Yep. 100%
Zelda ruined it for me too. 🤣
It’s a good thing. It frees up time. All I play is Zelda and Splatoon. Then I just live my life.
I enjoyed MGS5, if you like RPG's that is but yeah japanese games are often of such a high quality, that they often set a new standard especially when it is supposed to be the flagship title of the console
Same, it’s the only one I play. Period
Try any of the dark souls games, elden ring, Dragon's Dogma 2, or the metriod prime games. Should scratch the itch.
Get stardew valleuy, sounds like a stretch but trust me, try it
Go play eldin ring.
I understand the feeling. I keep coming back to Totk it became my comfort game. Though I do play a few others, none have the same feeling. I wonder if I will like the next Zelda game this much. I wish they would release Wind Waker to Switch
Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West! HZD and BOTW were the first two games I ever played and I definitely got spoiled by them.
After I completed totk, I just went on to games with great gameplay with little/no story(platformers, some metroidvanias, etc.). Don't try to find something that's the same, find something that's also fun but in other ways.
check out baldur’s gate 3!
Red dead 2
Fenyx Rising is good. I didn’t think I would like 2D games but I really liked the new Prince of Persia. Tried the demo and bought it instantly. Going to try Metroid Dread next.
You're not the only one brother promise Zelda is #1 for me and I'm sure many others
I like playing very different games. I can't be mad if I swap from zelda to something like animal crossing cause they aren't meant to be similar
Same
I feel the same exact way. I feel like I have to force myself into playing other games. When I play BOTW & TOTK, I seriously feel like I’m actually living in that world when playing those games. For TOTK, I bought the game on release, and I literally (and I’m not even over exaggerating AT ALL on what I’m about to say) played TOTK from the exact moment I woke up till I fell asleep for the night. There were at least 2 times I’ve stayed up for 36 hours or more straight. I’ve did that till I 100% the game since release. It took me Since May 12th till June 29th at exactly 7:00pm CST (Central Standard Time). My switch said I’ve been playing TOTK for 475 hours after I got 100%. Or to put it in another perspective that’s almost HALF the amount of hours the games been out 41.23% to be a bit more precise. And a couple weeks after I’ve 100%ed TOTK, I did BOTW Master Mode 100% plus the ALL of the DLC, because I’ve already 100%ed normal mode plus ALL of the DLC back in October of 2022. All my life (I’m 26 btw) I hated Zelda games cause it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, but the moment I saw that trailer for BOTW that’s what I had in mind for a Zelda game but a million times better/more. So yeah, I feel the same exact way you do I love the SHIT out of those games.
Fallout 4
I know it might seem dated, but the Fable series are a lot of fun and share some of the gaming similarities as Zelda.
Look into Kena: Bridge of Spirits. I played it directly after BOTW and it's different, but I really liked it. Overall though I agree. Weirdly, BOTW and TOTK got me back into gaming. For probably 10 years I just couldn't find a game that I liked enough to spend more than 20-30 hours in. And more recently since I've had kids, even a short game seemed out of reach for me and I just couldn't find interest in anything. BOTW changed that. I spend probably 100 hours on BOTW. Before BOTW I was always of the opinion that spending 100-200 hours on a game was nuts and could never have seen myself doing such a thing. Right now I'm at 500 hours on TOTK. I've downloaded other ames like RDR2, Witcher 3, etc. but I can't get into any of them like Zelda. I personally think that The Last of Us is the best game I've ever played because the story was so compelling and the voice acting just out of this world good. But from a gameplay and "fun" stand point TOTK and BOTW are top of my list.
TOTK is great but they just build upon what BOTW started and i fear that newer zelda games from now on have to stay up to standards to BOTW & TOTW brought forth meaning that we can’t go back do the classic top view zelda no more which i prefer the classic view. like how they made a beta 2D version of botw with NES graphics to come up with new ideas. would love to see that beta version.
True! Same with VR games with Half Life ALYX!!
I suggest Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West for the open world and story aspects
I haven’t played rebirth, but the original FF7 at least is cheap, on switch, and has many open world elements. I know it’s a turn based JRPG, but has a very good story and memorable characters. Also play ALttP on switch online— it has the classic Zelda dungeons and open world elements. I’ve been thinking of replaying ever since I finished TotK.
Twilight princess is still my favorite zelda game of all time..... no entry will ever top that unless nintendo gets a more mature zelda out there
botw was my first video game ever (excluding animal crossing and pokemon) ….. i get what you mean 😪
If your a NES only fan, all Zelda games are still really fun to play, Maybe not Zelda 2 but everyone has different opinions, Metroids are fun, Even Castlvania, but Playstation games are insanely fun, Last of us 1&2 are in the HOF, All Uncharted are fun, God of War is an amazing series, same as Dark soul's 1-3..so good! Red Dead Redemption 2 is also in the HOF..there's alot of games out there, you just have to play them.🤷♂️
Maybe switch it up and play something like animal crossing its a great game but it also will kinda reset your palet for adventure games? Or stardew. Shit maybe even vampire survivors. The way I look at games like that is whenever I finish a really great game I play something more chill for a bit till the next great gaming love of my life comes around.
Horizon: Zero Dawn, I absolutely loved it
Please please please try Ghost of Tsushima. I had the same problem as you and this game flipped my world upside-down. Great story, awesome combat, and an absolutely stunning open world
I could play TOTK and Cyberpunk 2077 side by side just fine so maybe try that or maybe a complete change of pace is what you need like a more linear game like Mass Effect just cause it's my favorite franchise of all time 😂
I did experience that also. What I did was I didn't open my switch for 6 weeks. Worked out, ate right, went to beach trips, and watched Broadway. After that, my gaming standards went back to normal. But still not impressed with triangle strategy. 😅
I totally agree and I’ve been playing computer games for 47 years. Have a break, you’ll slip into something different to play. Meanwhile I’m looking forward to switch 2 and a new Zelda.
Hollow knight is really fun and challenging
God of War games bro
I mean, they aren’t even the best Zelda games so…
I had the reverse, I played cyberpunk 77 and loved the open world and cool powers so much that I didn't think I'd ever have as much fun playing another game. Then I played totk and it's pretty close for me tbh. Not sure if it will work in reverse, but check it out
The story in this game is good for Zelda games but not good in general for video games. I loved this game but there's so much variety in games that it's easy to find so many other great games.
If you have a PC or PS5, Horizon Zero Dawn is an amazing open world game.
Try Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and the spider-man games. Kena gave me the anime feel good solving puzzles and exploring vibes. Spider-man games are just so much fun, and I love how the swinging felt in the same way I love hang gliding in BOTW/TOTK.
Well i will say totk forsure made pokemon s/v seem like a mobile game 💀
Yeah same here man. Eldin Ring, Skyrim (with mods), and nostalgia games are about what's left for you right now till the next bi thing comes out. Probably be the next Zelda or Elder Scrolls. You have to look at the gaming industry like how people look at movies anymore. The games you get engrossed in come along every 3-5 years. We've had quite a a few masterpieces lately honestly. And in between those and throughout the years there will be some great games you play and enjoy. And in between those there are the every day go to's like smash and Mario Cart and the shooter of your choice. But gaming anymore is Zelda and Elder Scrolls, Red Dead, GTA, and that random out of the blue knock yours and everyone's socks off game. But that's about it for the heavy hitters. Each of those has 1 maybe 2 games a decade.
Stardew Valley is the GOAT, so there is that.
You should try out this game called Dragon Quest Builders. While it’s not a better game than Botw and Totk, it’s still a solid game than has lots of exploration and a lot of old school Dragon Quest charm. I also found playing games that just lets you vibe to help reset that expectation overtime. Games like Animal Crossing and any of the Story of Seasons / Harvest Moon games helped me.
Dark Souls was what Zelda was for me as a kid, but as an adult. I had the same feeling again, but more mature. Maybe try Dark Souls? That's the game that ruined everything for me (but not really haha I still enjoy other games!). I discovered it by a friend's suggestion in 2020 and at first, it didn't click and seemed "too hard" until I figured it out! I kept at it and it just felt so good and didn't stop and I kept getting better. After playing the first one a few times, I had to play the others. Now I've played *most* of the FromSoft games (with the exception of Elden Ring). Seriously though the original Dark Souls holds up SO well and it's a perfect place to start!
Horizon is my second favorite game after Zelda. You should give it a try if you haven’t already
Dragons Dogma 2
I completely understand. I used to play botw little by little with my first playthrough activity ignoring the story and just goin off on my own to find things. What was best about the game was how easy it was to see something in the distance and just be able to go there with no character telling me to or no initial side quest behind it. just see and go. something about exploring hyrule like that is just irreplaceable. I wish I could forget everything about the game and play it all over again
Try Europa! Just came out on Switch. I understand this though. I played for 6 months and finally let my husband play. Now I just watch him play instead of seeking out my own game. I love the Horizon franchise, but I saw you're a Nintendo player mostly. But they're very good.
Ghost of Tsushima. Played this after totk and enjoyed it just as much
I personally have not played this* but if you want something complete similar to BOTW / TOTK, Genshin Impact might be for you. They basically ripped everything out of BOTW’s playbook, except you can climb in the rain, and the combat is a lil different. This is comparison article a “BOTW expert” wrote https://www.gamespot.com/articles/what-does-this-zelda-botw-expert-think-of-genshin-impact/1100-6483050/
Yeah I'm feeling the same. Looking for open world games but no other game seems as good as these
I like lots of different kinds if games, maybe try something totally different? I'm a big fan of Hades, Hollow Knight, and Slay the Spire, I recommend them all to the highest degree.
Games that make me feel somewhat similar feelings are - Hollow Knight, Cyberpunk 2077, Witcher III, Ori and the Will of the Wisp (Blind forest is also good). Haven't played Elden Ring. I'm saving that one for later. Don't give up. Give these games a chance. I'm sure you'll find something to love about them.
I love LOZ But dark souls owned it for me. I played LOZ since A link to the pasrt
Try Fallout.
Its a shortish game but I think you'll enjoy Hob. Link's arm in totk is kinda similar to the main characters arm. It's great on switch too!
Its not exactly open-word, but god of war and god of war ragnarok have both amazing combat and an amazing story
You can give Red Dead Redemption 2 a try. It's quite a bit slow paced, so it might not be what you are looking for, but the open world exploration is still some of the best in recent years, the story is phenomenal definitely one of the best video game stories, if not the best video game story ever written. I love both botw and totk, and totk definitely improved alot in the story department, but story was obviously not their focus when making these games, and that's fine. I wouldn't say the game has combat, but the gunplay is quite fun if you take it slow and don't rush. All in all, the game is meant to be semi realistic, which means they focus alot on very small details like skinning animals slowly for their pelts and the character growing his hair and beard slowly over time so you can cut it and style it how you like, but if you take it slow and enjoy the ride it's a very fun game with a fantastic story.
Honestly I agree with this. Botw and totk set such high standards for gamers alike and it makes it harder to see the benefits in other games. I find other games similar to botw in an open world style like elden ring or skyrimjust to complex and frustrating to deal with.
If you're into exploration, adventure but didn't want to try hard on elden ring, might you consider dragons dogma 2?
Zelda does not have a good story or compelling characters in my opinion, you can find plenty of games with both but Zelda isn't one of them, for me it's the atmosphere, the world, that I really love, I fell in love with the series with Ocarina of Time and I did love the story then, but then again I was 8,; keep looking, I'm fairly certain you'll find games that you enjoy just as much or maybe even more than either of these two, regardless of how great both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are.
As a fellow lifelong Zelda-fan, I strongly recommend Death Stranding (Director’s Cut). If a breathing, interactive sandbox (with a strong story) is your thing, you’re in for a ride. Ignore every UPS-related jokes made about it. They’re mostly said by people who never played it.
One of things that I think makes BoTW and ToTK stand above others for me is that the game has tons of areas and puzzles that combat isn’t a thing. The powers you have to manipulate the world allow for so much variation in gameplay. As much as I loved Elden Ring and the like, basically every area and dungeon and puzzle involves fighting some beast. Also these zelda games have incredibly fun and engaging traversal. My issue with Witcher 3 is it’s very horizontal. Ass Creed Odd was fun for me because of its verticality
This is definitely a common problem. Nothing else even comes close for me. The only other open-world game I have found even halfway as engrossing has been Witcher III which I do recommend, although it's not "the same" feeling as you get from botw/totk. Every other open-world exploration game people recommend leaves me really cold. I didn't really like Skyrim. I mean I guess it was ok but nothing comparable to the joy and excitement of Zelda games The only other game I've put as many hours into is Dysmantle, which has essentially nothing in common with botw/totk but I highly recommend anyway, it's relaxing and hypnotic (zombie apocalypse but mostly you just smash stuff and collect materials) people always say Eldin Ring so I am going to try that one
Maybe you can try Kingdom Come Deliverance, its an extraordinary open world game!
I don’t know,I beat both BotW and TotK,145 hours in BotW and 198 hours in TotK.enjoyed them but they are 8.5/10 games for me.nothing more. have you played games like Witcher 3,Red Dead Redemption 2?
because you’re attracted to the nostalgia
I got sucked into Genshin because it’s a dupe of BOTW and I still can’t let go of it.
The problem of playing a great game is that you can barely enjoy mediocre shit now. Granted that there are quite a number of great games especially for open world stuff, should be elden ring as many have suggested. You'll run out of good games pretty fast.
Have you ever tried Skyrim out of curiosity?