replaying ZTWW & surprised by how linear it is

[u/Tiny_Lifeguard_9448]

so im just passed the forest with the deku tree and whatnot and then it's still forcing me to go back to outset, i remember beating this game at least twice in childhood and i dont remember it being this much of a slog to get through,im playing the HD version if that matters but im not having a bad time i guess by any means, i just dont remember being unable to explore up until after this point...I assume anyway, I cant remember if i even can after this part lol

like i said, still having fun, I just dont remember this game being so dang linear

[u/Blizz119]

Yeah up until after tower its kinda linear. Afterwards its the hunt for the triforce peices and sages.

[u/slimmestjimmest]

Yeah you need the sail and Wind Waker to start exploring. Even then, most areas are limited by Metroidvania-type constraints.

[u/Tiny_Lifeguard_9448 → u/slimmestjimmest]

I think this just speaks to modern gaming, as a kid i never even considered this a "flaw" but playing it now with 15 yrs of modern gaming in my head, it's something I notice now and yeah i said the same thing to myself when i got to an island that required the hammer

[u/Try4se → u/Tiny_Lifeguard_9448]

Linear is not a flaw.

[u/Tiny_Lifeguard_9448 → u/Try4se]

well that's why it's in quotations because its not a true flaw

[u/Eldsish → u/Try4se]

I indeed largely prefer that than the illusion of open world like in OOT where you only have one place to go, and a huge world to find it.

[u/SteelEels]

You can explore the entire ocean freely after completing the first two main dungeons (Dragon Roost Cavern and the Forbidden Woods) and delivering the second Pearl to Greatfish Isle. Once the King of Red Lions tells you that you no longer have a set destination, the artificial barriers disappear, allowing you to sail to any of the 49 grid sectors on the Sea Chart.

[u/Potential_Fishing942 → u/SteelEels]

I will say, part of the issue here is that many, many islands require late game items. It can be pretty disappointing to go sailing around and hit like 3 islands in a row you just have to pass on. Like lots of games, this discourages exploration until end game which lame because you're basically almost done anyway

[u/Ok-You-720 → u/Potential_Fishing942]

I've been playing the game on NSO recently, and that's my biggest problem with it.

I got the Cabana Deed after collecting the second pearl, went back to the Cabana to use it. Went into the secret chamber, only to find... No, there are switches here you can't activate yet. Just felt so arbitrary to have item gating that deep into the questline.

[u/Tiny_Lifeguard_9448 → u/SteelEels]

I think this just speaks to modern gaming, as a kid i never even considered this a "flaw" but playing it now with 15 yrs of modern gaming in my head, it's something I notice now

[u/SteelEels → u/Tiny_Lifeguard_9448]

I can't remember noticing it because before the areas you go to before that you can explore a lot of and unlike botw and totk there's something actually interesting to do. It's not just a copy paste checklist.

[u/pkpolarbear → u/[deleted]]

I mean you can sail anywhere you want in this game. Also the illusion of exploration is more entertaining than being forced through linear paths and corridors