Towards the end of the ‘80s, after having already attained a cult-like status in East Asia, a game titled ‘The Legend of Zelda’ made its first appearance in the Western gaming hemisphere. The game was initially met with skepticism, with many people at that time believing its concept to be too bizarre for the American audience.

The rest, as they say, is history. Since then, the main character in that game and all of its ensuing sequels, Link, has become just as beloved in the U.S. as he was in Japan all those years ago. This is mainly due to the fact that ‘The Legend of Zelda’ series always somehow manages to better itself with each new release.

The very latest game to carry on Link’s legacy is ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.’ If you’re on the fence as to whether or not you want to play it, make sure to read on. Here are two reasons why you should:

It’s a game about exploration and discovery

Throughout the entire ‘Zelda’ series, most of the action takes place in the medieval-inspired fantasy land known as Hyrule. This is the case for ‘Breath of the Wild’ as well… but something’s not quite right. In an aesthetic sense, the graphics that bring Hyrule to life in this installment look better than ever. In terms of the storyline, however, this fantasy land has certainly seen better days. There are monsters everywhere, the temperature has dropped (your character can actually die if he gets too cold!), the Thyphlo Ruins are overrun with black fog, and the threat of impending doom looms.

In the face of adversity, you (and Link) will have to find a way to survive and bring glory back to Hyrule. In the meantime, you will be sent on an epic journey in which you will have to explore the various terrains of the land and find a way to complete your quest. This journey of discovery will see you learn:

• Which enemies are strongest and how to use weapons against them effectively
• What types of armor and food extend your health bar
• How to survive in the harshest of temperatures

It’s all trial-and-error, but this game of exploration and discovery will no doubt have you hooked the second you start playing it.

Each player’s individual journey is unique

‘Breath of the Wild’ has proven itself such a successful installment in the ‘Zelda’ series because there is no ‘right’ way to play it. With no standard path to follow, you will be forced to make decisions that ultimately result in your individual journey being completely unique. Quite literally, you and a friend could both play this game and end up with different outcomes!

If you’re the type of gamer that likes to overcome challenges in a way that feels unique to you, then this is the game for you.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ is much more than a standard open-world game — it’s a living world full of quests and puzzles that will keep you entertained for hours on end. If you’re currently looking for a new game to sink your teeth into, this could be it!