The best non-linear Zelda games

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Key points

  • The Legend of Zelda
    games often implement non-linear exploration, giving players freedom during their adventures with unique mechanics.
  • Majora's Mask, Wind Waker,
    AND
    A link with the past
    are highlighted for their innovative nonlinear exploration projects.
  • Breath of the wild
    setting new standards for open world exploration
    Zelda
    games, with
    The tears of the Kingdom
    improving this concept.



The Legend of Zelda the franchise is not known for maintaining a consistent pattern between releases, with games varying in setting, art style, and even gameplay. Some of the most acclaimed titles in the series stand out adopting a non-linear approachallowing players the freedom to explore Hyrule in a less restrictive and more organic way.

This approach offers a new dimension of immersion, allowing the player to choose Link's path and tackle challenges in any order they prefer. Instead of following a linear progression, freedom of exploration becomes the focus, encouraging players to discover and explore throughout their adventure.


8 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Time manipulation and deep exploration


Majora's Mask introduces a time loop mechanic that allows players to relive the same three days repeatedly. While the main story is linear, this gameplay element offers the freedom to explore Termina in more depth, taking advantage of the constant restarting of the time loop.

The ability to go back in time and revisit locations allows players to discover side quests and hidden secrets. This non-linear approach to exploration pays off Majora's Mask one of the most unique Zelda games, offering a rich experience in a dynamic open world.

7 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Unlimited browsing while traveling


With a unique cel-shading art style, The Wind Waker offers an unprecedented maritime exploration experience in the franchise. Sailing across vast oceans allows players to discover hidden islands, face enemies, and find treasure, all in an open-world environment that encourages curiosity.

While the main story is linear, there are side missions and mini-dungeons available for free exploration. This freedom provides a sense of non-linear adventure, making this one of the most engaging open-world titles Zelda games in the series.

Two realities and extended exploration

A link with the past introduces the concept of parallel worlds, allowing players to alternate between the light world and the dark world. This mechanic greatly expands the explorable game world, offering multiple paths and challenges in one of the first non-linear games Zelda games.


After a more linear first part, the second half of the game allows more freedom in the order of the dungeons. This flexibility in progression encourages exploration and discovery, cementing the title as the series' benchmark in terms of non-linearity.

Players have total freedom in the order of the dungeons

In A connection between worldsLink's ability to blend into walls adds a new dimension to exploration. Players can access previously unreachable areas, making this one of the most innovative open-world titles Zelda games in terms of level design.

The game allows you to complete dungeons in virtually any order, offering a unique non-linear experience. This freedom of choice reinforces the sense of adventure, allowing each player to create their own path through Hyrule.


4 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Being the first 3D adventure in the series, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time it was a milestone not only in the series, but also in the gaming industry, establishing pillars that would define many other games in the future. The game is divided into two parts: the first with the younger version of Link, and the second after he has aged, following his use of time travel.

Although the first part of the game is more linear, with dungeons to be completed in specific orders, Adult Link does not have the same limitations and is able to tackle temples without following a pre-established pattern. This flexibility allowed players to choose non-linear paths within the game, enhancing the sense of adventure and making each experience unique within a more open and dynamic world.


3 The Legend of Zelda

Zelda's origins were already non-linear

When it was released in Japan in 1986, The Legend of Zelda brought an innovative experience to the games of the time, offering unprecedented freedom of exploration. Instead of directing players along a specific path, the game allowed players to explore different areas of Hyrule in any order, without the need to follow a rigid sequence of events.

This lack of linearity was a cornerstone in game design, influencing not only future titles in the series but also the adventure genre in general. The idea of ​​giving the player freedom of choice and the ability to solve puzzles and challenges at the desired pace has consolidated The Legend of Zelda as a pioneer of non-linear exploration in games.


2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A landmark in the non-linear exploration of the Zelda franchise

Although many older games in The Legend of Zelda the franchise offers some elements of non-linear exploration, none were as ambitious and open-ended as Breath of the wild. Therefore, while breaking many established patterns in the series, Nintendo delivered an excellent game to fans and attracted many new players as well.

One of the highlights of the game was the exploration. After spending a few minutes completing the initial missions to get used to it Breath of the wildplayers were invited to explore a massive open world at their leisure. There was no set order of events to complete, so players had total freedom to explore every corner of Hyrule in any order, and could even head straight to the final dungeon if they wanted.


1 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

The pinnacle of open world exploration in Zelda games

When Breath of the wild was released, it seemed to set standards The Legend of Zelda franchise that is hard to top, offering players a lot of freedom and a huge map of Hyrule to explore without any linearity. However, the release of The tears of the Kingdom in 2023 proved that the formula created by Nintendo could still be improved.

In addition to representing a significant technical achievement in expanding the map, allowing Link to explore the skies and dungeons of Hyrule, the developers also created ways to make exploration more enjoyable. As, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was able to improve on the nonlinearity of its predecessor, giving players a large map and many ways to explore and manipulate it in ways the series had never seen before.


A scene with characters in The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass and Swimming in The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past

Moreover

Best Zelda games from top, ranked

The Legend of Zelda transcends perspective, as many of the best games in the entire franchise come from a top-down angle.

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