Playing Tears of the Kingdom made me come to the realization that Breath of the Wild was not fully appreciated by me

Despite my tendency to join in on popular trends surrounding well-known intellectual properties, I failed to catch the initial wave of excitement for Breath of the Wild. Even after purchasing a Switch, I didn't jump on board the hype train. It wasn't until the summer of 2022, when I received the game as a gift for Father's Day, that I finally had the opportunity to discover what all the commotion was about.

Upon reaching the ten-hour mark in Breath of the Wild, I found myself increasingly frustrated by the constant uncertainty of what my next course of action should be. Consequently, I arrived at the regretful conclusion that one of the most exceptional games ever created simply wasn't suited to my preferences. I can sense the disapproval brewing within you, prepared to criticize my premature abandonment of a game that holds immense potential. However, there is no need for such reproach. Subsequently, I revisited the game, and for reasons unbeknownst to me, a certain connection was established, leading to a profound adoration for the realm of Hyrule.

The primary motivation behind giving Breath of the Wild a second opportunity was the overwhelming anticipation for Tears of the Kingdom, its sequel. Despite my initial lack of interest in the game it was building upon, the trailers for the sequel were incredibly captivating, leading me to question my previous judgment. As I returned to the game, it became evident that my earlier assessment had been incorrect. What once felt like a tedious task transformed into an experience I couldn't get enough of. The thrill of exploration, the joy of making discoveries, and the satisfaction of unraveling the path forward became aspects that I truly cherished and enjoyed.

My only regret regarding my playthrough of Breath of the Wild is the limited amount of time I dedicated to it. Tears of the Kingdom reignited my interest in the Zelda series, but I knew I couldn't delay my progress indefinitely, as the sequel would soon be released. The race was on to complete the game before its arrival. I managed to finish it just in time, with my Switch recording a playtime of slightly under 50 hours in the world of Hyrule. While that may seem like a substantial amount of time invested in a game, it pales in comparison to the hours logged by others, making it feel rather insignificant.

I have been engaging in a broader range of activities and content offered by Tears of the Kingdom compared to my experience with Breath of the Wild. I no longer feel the pressure of rushing to complete the game before another release takes center stage. However, it wasn't until I checked the statistics that I realized just how much more time I have invested in Tears of the Kingdom. I have already surpassed 50 hours of gameplay and I am still far from reaching its conclusion. I have completed three temples so far and I am currently running errands for Penn before making my way to Gerudo Town.

Engaging in investigative journalism alongside Penn for Hyrule's Clover Gazette is just one of the many distractions Tears of the Kingdom offers from the main quest. The side quests come with more intricate stories, the shrines exhibit greater innovation, and even assisting the Koroks proves to be more entertaining. This enhanced experience is primarily due to Tears of the Kingdom effectively being Breath of the Wild Plus, offering additional content and features. However, my heightened enjoyment isn't solely because of the game's expanded offerings. It stems from the realization that in my previous playthrough of Breath of the Wild, I often rushed past NPCs in need of assistance and resorted to consulting guides for shrine solutions when I was stumped, simply because I didn't have the time to figure them out on my own.

While immersing myself in a thorough playthrough of Tears of the Kingdom, I came to the realization that I had squandered my initial experience with one of the most remarkable games ever created. Now, I feel that returning to it would never be the same. I would constantly yearn for the advanced abilities of ascending and using the ultrahand, and it is likely that I would end up disliking the game all over again.

On the positive side, my admiration for Tears of the Kingdom has skyrocketed, and I have an insatiable desire to explore every aspect the game has to offer. I aim to complete all the side quests at the stables and uncover every memory before confronting Ganondorf. It's not because I want to maximize my power for the showdown, but rather because I'm thoroughly enjoying the delightful distractions the game provides. Tears of the Kingdom has already secured a spot in my top five games of all time, and I am confident it will ascend even higher in my rankings by the time I finish it. If I had given Breath of the Wild the time and attention it deserves, it might have claimed a place alongside it.