One of the most fascinating tools Nintendo has offered to players in the last few years is the “Maker system,” utilized in bothMario Makertitles, as well as theLegend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningremake. WhileMario Maker 2’s world builder and new mechanics from the original are a huge improvement, theZeldadungeon maker is arguably bare bones at its limit, but could be improved inBreath of the Wild 2.
Building dungeons inLink’s Awakeningwas originally promoted as one of the remake’s major selling points, offering the potential for players to come back and find new fan-made content. However, Nintendo could use the simpler tools and mechanics ofBreath of the Wild 2, to work on enhancing the potential of player-made dungeons with custom-built shrines.
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Link’s Awakening’s Dungeon Maker
The Chamber Dungeons mode looked like an exciting concept that could have added a whole new layer to theLink’s Awakeningremake, with the community adding a complex and difficult end-game. Unfortunately, the final result didn’t quite live up to the fan expectations that had been set by the quality of theMario Makerseries that had come before it. Now, players have even chosen to makeZelda-inspired dungeons inMinecraftinstead of using the limited tools available inLink’s Awakening.
Simple additions like custom enemy placements could have gone a long way, but the current build of Chamber Dungeons is too restrictive and only really makes for linear adventures. It’s a fun and simple mode to play on its own, but disappointing when put into the scope of themassive success ofSuper Mario Maker 2, having already enhanced the tools of its predecessor. Fans have been hoping for a new update improving the mechanic, but working with a simplified toolset may be a better way to move forward than trying to tweak the current version.
Breath of the Wild’s Versatile Tools
One of the strongest aspects of the originalBreath of the Wild’s design is the way that the entire game works based on four tools used through the Shiekah Slate. While previous games had players cycling through a list of boots, bows, and Hookshots, the recent open world title streamlined equipment usage, making the shrines andDivine Beatsshine. This is exactly the type of thing that might make for a strongMaker-style setting, similar to howMario Makeris more limited to Mario’s base moveset, with players pushing minor features to their limits.
Considering Nintendo was able to make 120 unique shrines based on the four Runes of Magnesis, Stasis, Remote Bombs, and Cryonis, opening the game up to building mechanics could mean thousands of new shrine-like puzzles. On top of that, the ability to mix and match enemies, some of which that fight each other, could make for complex challenges on the level of Trial of the Sword. This could turn into players making entire dungeons likeBreath of the Wild’s Vah Ruta, but it might work best if aMakersystem is instead kept simple with building shrines.
A Breath of the Wild Shrine Maker
The bulk of the content inBreath of the Wildcomes from a combination of hidden Koroks and the 120 shrines that have been scattered across the open world. Focusing a newZeldaDungeon Makeron Sheikah shrines could be the best way to keep the scope of each individual level down, while still maintaining the flexibility of the first game. Additionally, the nature of how the shrines pop out of the ground inBreath of the Wildcould contextualize player-made challenges being placed anywhere around Hyrule.
In the same way that theMario Makerseries has become a major teaching tool for players to become creators in a 2D space,Breath of the Wild 2could push 3D puzzle designers to improve. It would certainly make for more difficult builds, but considering whatmodders have done withBreath of the Wildto add new worlds and mechanics, there is a market for handing the tools over to players. On top of giving players new tools, adding a Maker system could increase the longevity of the nextZeldatitle with player-created content.
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Replayability in the Hands of Players
With a game likeBreath of the Wild, there’s presumably a lot of pressure on the developer to fill the world with hours of content, something that Nintendo accomplished with little treasures dotted around the map. However, once players have figured out how a puzzle works, or where a hidden item is located, there’s little in the way of replay value without the sense of discovery as a guide. New features, likeBreath of the Wild’s Master Mode, could give players reasons to jump back into the game for the new challenges that would be sprinkled through the world.
Giving players the ability to create and share their own shrines with each other could extend the longevity ofBreath of the Wild 2, especially if the community transitions fromMario MakertoZelda. Considering theimpressive milestonesSuper Mario Maker 2has already reached, Nintendo has already seen the successes of givingMaker-style tools to players. In addition to expanding on whatLink’s Awakeningstarted, introducing a Shrine Maker could also prepare for a whole new series ofMario Makertitles that give access to 3DMario-like tools.
Start Working on 3D Maker Features
One request that has been made fromSuper Mario Makerplayers for some time is for Nintendo to introduceMario 64worlds into the roster. It’s admittedly a much more difficult task than the simpler 2D style that already exists, but players are still excited to be given the tools to work withSuper Mario 3D All-Starstitles. Of course, it shouldn’t be discounted that Nintendo may be worried about adding a new dimension to the series, making the whole process too complicated for general audiences.
This is why starting smaller withBreath of the Wildshrinescould be the best way to test out the system in a new realm, before stepping all the way into letting players build open worlds. With everything that players already expect to find in the upcoming game, adding theMakertools as a separate addition, could be a side feature that the community turns into a runaway success. At that point, expanding on the concept would be the logical next step for more of Nintendo’s franchises.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2is currently in development by Nintendo.
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