Thanks to both gameplay trailers giving fans a glimpse of Nintendo's upcoming game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is expected to accept players soaring into the skies higher up Hyrule. Though this could exist Nintendo taking inspiration from Skyward Sword and hoping to improve in-flying gameplay a 2d time effectually, it may be more likely that Breath of the Wild 2 is attempting to expand on its predecessor'due south map by going up instead of out.

Merely if Breath of the Wild 2 is going to increase the verticality of the original game, then Nintendo shouldn't merely stop going skyward. In the wake of revelations that underwater mechanics may accept been planned for Breath of the Wild but afterwards scrapped, then Breath of the Wild 2 should take the states below the surface and into the submerged depths below.

Diving Into Breath of the Wild's Cutting Mechanics

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The theory backside cut underwater mechanics for Breath of the Wild start emerged when players discovered that, by performing a certain glitch, they were able to see 'under' the water, revealing details that could non exist seen during normal gameplay such every bit coral decorations and rock formations. It gained further traction when it was featured on the prominent YouTube aqueduct DidYouKnowGaming? as it took a deep dive behind-the-scenes of Jiff of the Wild and its secrets, citing programmer Hidemaro Fujibayashi's hobby of cave-diving for the possible inspiration backside the direction the game could take taken.

Ultimately, whether information technology became a time crunch toward Jiff of the Wild's release or a holdover for a possible sequel, the potential mechanics and ideas for underwater exploration never made it into the final game. Leftover content that might hint towards the original existence of underwater gameplay may not merely end with hidden assets, but the inclusion of a 'dive' mechanic for Link and the Zora armor's ability to travel up waterfalls with the capability to perform water attacks all propose this was the case.

What further makes this interesting is an early paradigm shown at CEDEC 2017 of Jiff of the Wild illustrating initial technical developments was leaked, showcasing early mechanics such as Skyward Sword-inspired sky-diving that were possibly planned for Breath of the Wild. Given that fans have at present seen Link diving through the air in trailers for Jiff of the Wild two, information technology would appear that content that found its way to the cutting room floor from the kickoff game is now making its way into the second.

The Case For Going Beneath Hyrule

Breath of the Wild, link looking out at Hyrule

Provided that gameplay trailers and leaks of patents for new abilities have confirmed fans' suspicions near exploring the skies in a higher place Hyrule, it doesn't yet seem that any consideration has been made to exploring the seas below Hyrule. Not only would this exist a missed opportunity to take advantage of a render to the globe established in the previous game in a new way, but information technology would be leaving out one-half of what players expect.

When Nintendo confirmed that Breath of the Wild 2 was in development and would be the same Hyrule map of the kickoff game, speculation immediately turned to how the studio could up the dues and ameliorate upon what information technology already had. Nintendo'south solution appears to have been to increase the verticality of its map, assuasive the player to non just travel beyond the land but to go up equally well into the skies. Only when increasing verticality, the potential is at that place to not only go up only downwards equally well.

Early speculation reflected this with fans anticipating that dungeons could return in Breath of the Wild 2 in lieu of the kickoff game's Divine Beasts, meaning that players wanted both aspects of increased map verticality. The ability to swoop underwater and explore the various lakes, rivers, and seas effectually Hyrule, therefore, goes hand-in-hand with the ability to explore the skies above. Between possible cut underwater mechanics, the all-encompassing bodies of water, and the easily implemented lore inside arm's accomplish from the Zora domain for water exploration, Breath of the Wild 2 is practically begging to have players under the sea and beyond.

It's Non Merely Apparently Sailing For Breath of the Wild 2

Sadly, while taking to the seas of Hyrule and going below the surface as much equally Jiff of the Wild 2 could have players above information technology is enticing, it is still just as likely not to happen. While Nintendo has a history of saving cut content for afterward dates, such as cut ideas lifted from Air current Waker to Twilight Princess, the decision to take Link into the sky could take more recent ancestry.

For example, previous sky-diving mechanics from the CEDEC paradigm could accept simply been refurbished from Skyward Sword to save time, and Floating Platforms introduced in the Master Way with the Master Trials DLC could have been testing the water for Jiff of the Wild to explore in-air gameplay. Any hints towards underwater mechanics have, nonetheless, remained elusive and unconfirmed, with merely fan speculation providing these rumors any merit.

The final nail in the bury for underwater gameplay in Breath of the Wild 2 might be that it has non even so been featured in any gameplay trailer seen so far. This could be because it remains unfinished and Nintendo is holding information technology dorsum for a later reveal, but it is more likely that the content isn't existence planned at all. If the latter is true, so it would be a detriment to Jiff of the Wild two to non take advantage of a return to the original game's content and expand upon it as much every bit possible. After all, Nintendo hasn't still created a Zelda "trilogy" successfully, significant that Breath of the Wild ii has a lot to deliver if a third doesn't come to pass. Stakes are therefore loftier for Breath of the Wild 2 possible directions and success, with an every bit loftier standard it needs to see.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is prepare to release in early on 2023 for Nintendo Switch.

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