It really is a game

When was the last time you were really infatuated with a game mechanic? Many of you may not be able to answer this question directly. Because so often in video games it is the graphics, the story, the characters, certain weapons or the setting with which the manufacturers vie for your favor. It is precisely these aspects that sell particularly well.

It’s all the more refreshing when a video game appears that puts the focus entirely on what is special and unique about this medium: on gaming.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom builds directly on its predecessor Breath of the Wild. It uses the open world, the game’s physics systems, which allow you to roll stones or set meadows on fire. Because this game already created an almost forgotten feeling a good six years ago: being able to try something out for yourself in a video game.

Most of the time everything is very precise. Even in an open world, the paths are often clear – they are presented to you with markers and in quest logs. And then you go the predetermined paths and do what the game wants from you. Of course, that can also be fun. But sometimes you feel like the industry itself has forgotten about the game in the video game.

Play is trying. Knowing the rules in order to then see what is possible within them. Playing against the grain, turning the mechanics upside down, achieving the game’s objectives in your own way – all this is ignored in most blockbuster games. Maybe because it’s too much work. And the largest part of the budget just for the graphics and is wasted.

However, “Tears of the Kingdom” takes the freedom of “Breath of the Wild” one step further. With the ability to merge items or combine weapons with all sorts of objects, it puts powerful tools at your fingertips and then largely leaves you alone.

Surely there is also a story and given tasks. But the way there – and the ways in between – are in your hands. This is shown very impressively by a number of videos and screenshots, which already make it clear what works players can achieve. You think outside the box and still reach your goal. They experience their very own game.

It’s a virtue that the video game industry should focus on again. Especially now that the graphical possibilities are making smaller and smaller leaps, again it should be the game mechanics – and the gameplay – that make the video game stand out. Because they can bring great joy even with a small budget.