It has been almost half a decade since a true 3D Zelda entered our lives, but we are closer than ever to the next installment of the series, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo fans around the world have been graced with the first glimpse of gameplay at this year’s E3, where Nintendo revealed several exciting details about our next adventure with Link. Breath of the Wild is taking the heart and soul of the Zelda series, but changing and modernizing it in ways I had always hoped for. Here are some of the things you can expect when it is released next year.

• Link is confirmed to be a male
• Players can initiate a stealth mode by clicking in the left thumbstick
• This installment will be released on Wii U and the NX
• There will be a day/night schedule. One real minute will be equivalent to one hour in the game. Some enemies will change their patterns depending on the time of day.
• Rupees and hearts will no longer be found by cutting grass. As shocking as this sounds, the alternative is very impressive. Players must now find resources throughout the wild (mushrooms, wood, meat, etc.) to cook food and sell loot.

• Link can use several weapons found throughout the world and parry enemies attacks. There is also a slow-motion mechanic that can be used after dodging an enemies attack.
• Most walls can be climbed by Link and he can finally jump!
• Link can disarm enemies. When this occurs, enemies will search the area for rocks and other weapons.
• Weapons include axes, swords, clubs, spears, claymores, and more!

• There is a vast variety of clothing and armor that can be obtained and worn by Link throughout the world. He even needs to change his clothing when the weather gets too cold!
• Animal meat will replenish more hearts when cooked over a fire, which Link can create himself by collecting wood.
• Although the game has a long narrative to be discovered, developers have stated that the player can rush straight to the final boss as soon as the game starts.
• Players can use their Wolf Link Amiibo after completing the bonus quest on Twilight Princess to summon the wolf to their game. The wolf’s health amount will be affected by the players health on their Twilight Princess save.

• On the Wii U version of the game, the gamepad can be used as a map for easy traversal in the massive world.
• The vast world is inhabited by deer, birds, boars, and other wildlife. Link can also run into large bosses, such as a rock troll!
• Three new Amiibo have been announced for this title. Link (Archer), Link (Rider), and the poseable Guardian will all be released alongside the game. Their functionality has not yet been announced.

• A crucial item Link will possess is the “Sheikah Slate”. Resembling a smartphone, the Sheikah Slate will allow Link to set markers and access new areas in the world.
• A variety of potions can be made with different recipes, such as creating a temporary movement buff by mixing a frog and a bokoblin fang.
• While little has been revealed about the plot, Nintendo stated that Link has been asleep for 100 years and is finally awoken at the beginning of the game. He must defeat Calamity Ganon before it is too late.

Most of these features are incredibly surprising and certainly drift from the typical Zelda formula. I am personally very excited for the change, but some fans feel that Nintendo is drifting too far from their roots. Are there any other changes you hope they make to their classic Zelda formula? Are there any changes you don’t like? Let us know in the comments!