Though a sequel to Nintendo's hit 2017 open-world title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was shown during 2019's E3 conference, very little is known about the game, with Nintendo so far refusing to disclose so much as the official title. All that's known is that the game will be released in 2022.
This hasn't stopped fans of the franchise from speculating about the small details Nintendo did let slip, and many are excited to see what new and creative innovations the ever-progressive publishers will include in the new game. From retooled mechanics to new worlds and bosses, these are these additions that Reddit Zelda fans would love to see in the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel.
More Enemy Variety
Redditor u/darkdill opened a thread in the r/Zelda sub offering potential changes they would like to see implemented in Breath of the Wild's sequel and asking for community input. One of the many ideas floated in the post was the concept of enemy variety and how it may be expanded in Nintendo's next Zelda title on the Switch.
Breath of the Wild's Hyrule was a sprawling world with very little restriction, but it's true that Moblins and Bokoblins dominated most of the environment. Taluses, Hynoxes, and Lynels broke up this monotony, but Breath of the Wild's follow-up will need to add quite a few entries to the Zelda bestiary to keep things feeling fresh.
Return of Termina's Masks
Majora's Mask included a ton of out-of-left-field ideas that weren't seen in any Zelda games before or since; a unique time loop mechanic and an impressive suite of robust sidequests made it stand out against its more linear predecessors. That said, the most memorable mechanic involved the titular masks which allowed Link to transform into many of Termina's native creatures.
The N64 game is sort of an outlier in the series in that it doesn't take place in Hyrule. As a result, seeing any of these masks return in a Breath of the Wild sequel as suggested by Reddit user u/Gjs28seems seems unlikely, but it would undoubtedly be a highlight of the game.
Return of the Hookshot/Clawshot
Breath of the Wild broke many longstanding series conventions, and Link received many of his most useful items and abilities at the beginning of the game via Shikah runes was a massive game-changer when compared to previous titles. However, the allure of new items hidden in dungeons was totally absent.
While they may have ruined the game's heavy focus on traversal, it would have been amazing to see the iconic Hookshot or Clawshot return in Breath of the Wild. As suggested by Redditor u/nonsuch1221, these items could make a comeback in Breath of the Wild's follow-up game.
Add Customizable Homes And Villages
The Legend of Zelda series is often praised for its immaculate storytelling and imaginative worlds, but the games are often rigidly linear with little in the way of player agency. Breath of the Wild completely disregarded the stiff structure of previous franchise titles, but the overarching goals and plot points remained the same in every playthrough.
One way to shake things up, as suggested by Reddit user u/billthestamps, would be to include customizable towns and villages to give each playthrough its own unique flair. A very barebones version of this concept was seen in Breath of the Wild's Tarry Town, and the sequel could massively expand on that.
Return of Proper Dungeons
Perhaps the greatest failing of Breath of the Wild was the almost complete lack of dungeons. Staple areas in the Zelda series riddled with memorable puzzles and iconic bosses, dungeons were more or less replaced with shrines and the Divine Beasts which, though interesting conceptually, didn't quite carry the same weight.
As advanced by Redditor u/blossom-, the return of proper dungeons could be a defining feature that separates the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel from its predecessor. It may inhibit the feeling of explorative freedom, but it would unite the design philosophies of Zelda games new and old.
Give Link A Voice
The choice to cast Chris Pratt as Mario in the upcoming Mushroom Kingdom-based movie was considered by many to be absurd, and Redditor u/NoVacation8808 joined in on the fun by sarcastically announcing that the Hollywood star would also be voicing Link in and upcoming Legend of Zelda movie.
Though it's obviously intended as a meme, giving Link a voice seems like the next logical step following the series-first voice acting heard in Breath of the Wild. If Zelda can have voiced dialogue lines, then the traditionally-silent Link may soon receive the same treatment.
An Improved Master Mode
Another of u/darkdill's many suggestions, Breath of the Wild's Master Mode was essentially a new game plus which increased the difficulty by increasing enemy stats and allowing them to regenerate health. It was a neat bonus for those who've already experienced the game, but the fact that it was hidden away in a DLC pack made it at least slightly less appealing.
To make amends, Nintendo could craft a much more robust new game plus experience. The Master Quest variant of Ocarina of Time remains the gold standard for modified difficulty, and it would be amazing to see that replicated in Breath of the Wild's sequel.
Return to Skyloft
The Zelda trailer revealed during Nintendo's E3 2021 conference didn't reveal much in terms of narrative, but it did showcase a few new mechanics, one of which appears to be flight. Link had the ability to glide long distances in Breath of the Wild, but the sequel may be doubling down on this, sending the Hero of the Wild far into the sky for extended periods of time.
As posited by Reddit user u/Rorzor_, this change could potentially mean a return to Skyward Sword's Skyloft. While unlikely, Breath of the Wild included now time-worn locations like Lon Lon Ranch and Hyrule Castle Town, so it's not inconceivable.
An Improved Final Boss
Breath of the Wild's Calamity Ganon was an oppressive and mysterious force, but many players—including Reddit user u/darkdill—believed that the final encounter with the villain was somewhat underwhelming. A first playthrough of the game could take dozens upon dozens of hours, but it's capped off with a battle that, while epic, doesn't carry an adequate threat.
With no real idea what will constitute the main threat of Breath of the Wild's sequel, it's hard to envision what its final battle might look like. Still, while Nintendo's philosophy of approachability helped to grant the series' universal appeal, it negates the gratification of besting a brutal villain.
A Playable Zelda
Despite being the titular character, the various incarnations of Princess Zelda typically play clichéd damsel-in-distress roles. There's been a huge push among fans to convince Nintendo to finally make Zelda a playable character. Though early indications seem to suggest that this won't happen in Breath of the Wild's sequel, as suggested by Redditor u/blossom-, the princess could potentially come along for the ride as a party member.
It's hard to imagine exactly how that might work out, but the concept was experimented with in games like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.