Breath of the Wild Link's Handedness and Potential Controls

[JuicieJ]

Okay, so I'm back, and it's time for a discussion that has been on my mind ever since the Zelda U reveal.

First off, Link's handedness -- he appears to be right-handed in this game. I say this for multiple reasons, the first of which being that he draws back his arrows with his right hand, which is what right-handed archers do. Now, this by itself doesn't necessarily mean much, as Link has actually done this since Ocarina of Time, and we all know he was never right-handed until Twilight Princess Wii. Regardless, there are other things in tandem with this to further evidence his apparent right-handedness. His arm guard thing (whatever it's called) that's been around since TP is on his right forearm, and that's always been on the hand he uses his sword with. His shield is also on the left side of his horse, and his sword (which has been seen) is on the right, allowing ease of access for both of them with the hands he would hold them in.

But WHY is he right-handed? Or, rather, why MIGHT he be right-handed? My guess is that Nintendo, as I've said numerous times in the past, is probably carrying over the Wii MotionPlus controls from Skyward Sword. Link was right-handed in that game because roughly 90% of the world's population is, so he was designed to mirror that percentage to avoid confusion during play, so carrying over the WM+ controls into Zelda Wii U would naturally carry that over in turn. It also just makes sense for the WM+ to return, as Aonuma said shortly after the release of SS, "I don't think we can go back," in regards to the game's motion controls. And, come on, just look at the art style. It would make a lot of sense for it to be used with the continuation of SS's controls.

However, I don't think this means that motion will be the ONLY way to play this game. As I've also said numerous times in the past, I think the GamePad will be a control option, as well -- and I'd be right if the WM+ does indeed return, as it's already been confirmed by Aonuma that the GamePad WILL be used in Zelda Wii U, so there's already a 100% guarantee that it will be a factor. If it's on its own, then who knows what exactly will be done with it, but if the WM+ is back, then I think the right analog stick will be used to control Link's sword (as I've gone over before), and the gyroscope & accelerometer will be used for other features, such as aiming the Bow and pulling of moves such as the Spin Attack & Ending/Fatal Blow. And, who knows, maybe even the Pro Controller could be made available as an option. It'd have gimped controls in comparison, but I'm sure Ninty could make it work, and it'd be a nice gesture for those who just want a "traditional" experience with the game control-wise.

Needless to say, I'm very glad that things are looking positive for my predictions regarding Zelda Wii U's controls. They've certainly not been proven correct just yet, but so far, the evidence seems to be pointing towards them being so. And, really, the Big N would honestly be foolish to not do this, as it would allow for people to play the game as they see fit, free of the restrictions of one specific control method, and that would instantly attract more consumers to their product.

But what do YOU think about all this? Let me know in the comments!

 

[Justac00lguy]

I'm still sticking with them shooting purely for the Gamepad until confirmation proves me wrong.

I just feel like it's "been there done that". Sure it was nice little derivation away from the norm, but it didn't prove to me that it's the future, nor did it completely revamp combat to make it exciting enough for it to warrant a return. Honestly the only thing I liked about the more accurate motion controls was the aiming itself - of course this can actually be done with the Gamepad and be improved upon much further by utilising the Gamepad's viewpoint for aiming.

I guess you could say why not both? But I've explained before why I don't think that would be the greatest option. In my eyes, they should keep it simple, stick to the now, which is the Wii U and not the Wii. The Gamepad can still easily maintain innovative ways to interact with the game while offering that classic way of playing that everyone can adjust to and master with ease. For me it's the best of both and it's how I would ideally like to experience the game.

 

[JuicieJ]

I guess you could say why not both? But I've explained before why I don't think that would be the greatest option. In my eyes, they should keep it simple, stick to the now, which is the Wii U and not the Wii. The Gamepad can still easily maintain innovative ways to interact with the game while offering that classic way of playing that everyone can adjust to and master with ease. For me it's the best of both and it's how I would ideally like to experience the game.

The problem is that you're overlooking how you could still get that experience with multiple control options. The GamePad's features wouldn't all of a sudden be nerfed just because of it not being the only option, and this has been made clear with other games currently in existence, namely Pikmin 3.

 

[VitaTempusN92]

I think the game will only focus on the use of the gamepad. As for Link's Sword, I can already assume that the right-analog stick will probably used for that. Here is what I think it'll be like:

Link's sword - Draw with "B", swing with right control stick

Link's bow & whatever arrow is has with it - Draw with "X" or "Y", aim with Gamepad, draw/shoot arrow with right control stick (like in Battle Quest of Nintendo Land)

That's what I think.

 

[JuicieJ]

Link's bow & whatever arrow is has with it - Draw with "X" or "Y", aim with Gamepad, draw/shoot arrow with right control stick (like in Battle Quest of Nintendo Land).

Link's bow is definitely something I have a huge interest in for this game. It looks to have a much larger emphasis than ever before -- even in regards to how Link himself looks (namely his Warrior's Wolf Tail) -- and that special arrow he fired is just... *mind blown*

 

[DarkestLink]

Well Aonuma says they don't care about sales and, seeing how much they loved M+, it'd be logical to assume they would carry over, assuming Aonuma is telling the truth. But, honestly, I don't think he is. If they didn't care about sales, they wouldn't have had a panic attack when tWW did poorly and made TP. If they didn't care, they would have stuck with their prefered style of cell shading instead of making a compromise with SS. And then another compromise with a new style between SS and TP.

Also, I could be wrong, but I think he was left handed with the bow in SS due to how the motion controls worked.

Either way, I highly doubt we're going to see M+ controls and--regardless of what Aonuma says--I'm pretty sure it's going to be because of SS's sluggish sales because Nintendo's in trouble this gen and they're slowly starting to realize they can't dick around and do everything the way they want, and that money does matter if they don't want to become bankrupt.

 

[VitaTempusN92]

Link's bow is definitely something I have a huge interest in for this game. It looks to have a much larger emphasis than ever before -- even in regards to how Link himself looks (namely his Warrior's Wolf Tail) -- and that special arrow he fired is just... *mind blown*

I know, the idea of Link's bow possibly possibly playing an important role in the game is a theory I had since like last year, long before the game was even revealed. I've also noticed in the trailer that Link seems to be some kind of hunter in the game. Perhaps, a hunter in training? I also have a theory that maybe he'll also work as a collector as he will collect materials and stuff from his hunts to use to craft/upgrade his stuff he'll need in the game, similar to we had in SS only expanded on and of more importance this time around.

P.S: I like your avatar.

 

[Deleted member 14134]

The game should be playable with Wii U pro controller. The gamepad could be used for maps, inventory and such but only as a reference and not a mandatory thing. Nintendo forcing us to use these gimmicks in their games is getting annoying. At the end of a long day I want to sit back on the couch and not have to move when I play games. Flailing around in Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword was more annoying than innovative.

As for handedness, I could care less as long as motion controls are excluded.

 

[JuicieJ]

Well Aonuma says they don't care about sales and, seeing how much they loved M+, it'd be logical to assume they would carry over, assuming Aonuma is telling the truth. But, honestly, I don't think he is. If they didn't care about sales, they wouldn't have had a panic attack when tWW did poorly and made TP. If they didn't care, they would have stuck with their prefered style of cell shading instead of making a compromise with SS. And then another compromise with a new style between SS and TP.

First off, you act as if people can't change mentalities over time. That's ridiculous.

Second, you're making up cel-shading being Nintendo's "preferred style" for Zelda, as they've never once said that.

Third, "making a compromise" was never Nintendo's intention with Skyward Sword's art style, as Aonuma explicitly stated himself shortly after the game's reveal in 2010.

And, fourth, Zelda Wii U's art style is not even close to a mixture of SS's & TP's, but rather more akin to one of TWW & SS's -- cel-shading has clearly returned, and the textures are very similar to SS's, minus the impressionist painting look for things in the distance.

Also, I could be wrong, but I think he was left handed with the bow in SS due to how the motion controls worked.

Now that I think about it, that's true -- and, like I said, my predictions haven't been proven correct. I could be completely wrong about all this, and if I am, then I am. I still think there's good evidence for what I've said, regardless.

Either way, I highly doubt we're going to see M+ controls and--regardless of what Aonuma says--I'm pretty sure it's going to be because of SS's sluggish sales because Nintendo's in trouble this gen and they're slowly starting to realize they can't dick around and do everything the way they want, and that money does matter if they don't want to become bankrupt.

What's with you and acting like SS was a flop financially? Over 3.7 million copies is a very solid number, especially for a game released at the end of a console's lifetime.

You're also factually incorrect about Nintendo being in any financial trouble. They currently have over $16 billion to their name. Over $16 billion. They're not going bankrupt any time soon, especially now that they're no longer losing money on the Wii U.

 

[Justac00lguy]

The problem is that you're overlooking how you could still get that experience with multiple control options. The GamePad's features wouldn't all of a sudden be nerfed just because of it not being the only option, and this has been made clear with other games currently in existence, namely Pikmin 3.

Nah, I acknowledged multiple control schemes, but playing with buttons/analog is different to playing purely with 1:1 motion which was seen in Skyward Sword. I'll explain:

In SS enemies and puzzles were designed with the control scheme in mind, so, in a way, they revolved around this 1:1 motion idea where you could swing with precision (of course it wasn't the greatest of precision, but more accurate nonetheless). See the thing with button/analog is that you can't control the sword in the same range of motion that is, unless, we will have to swing the Gamepad around like some crazed lunatic. There you have two contrasting ways to play the game, imagine trying to complete SS with a controller... yeah. And to have both working simultaneously you have to meet somewhere in the middle, which means you're not specialising in either and I don't like that.

If they were to cater to both, which is what you're predicting(?), then it means they don't focus on one meaning two kind of watered down experiences. They won't go full out with motion controls, revolving everything around them, because they will have to also cater to the old school style as well. This is why I'd hate this idea, I'm not saying they won't do it, just that it's not my desired preference which is the point of the thread, right?

 

[JuicieJ]

In SS enemies and puzzles were designed with the control scheme in mind, so, in a way, they revolved around this 1:1 motion idea where you could swing with precision (of course it wasn't the greatest of precision, but more accurate nonetheless). See the thing with button/analog is that you can't control the sword in the same range of motion that is, unless, we will have to swing the Gamepad around like some crazed lunatic. There you have two contrasting ways to play the game, imagine trying to complete SS with a controller... yeah. And to have both working simultaneously you have to meet somewhere in the middle, which means you're not specialising in either and I don't like that.

See, now you're overlooking that I said the right analog stick would be used to emulate the 1:1 controls. I'm know that buttons wouldn't be able to properly do that, and I know that attempting to do such would end in disaster. I'm also aware that trying to swing the GamePad around would be a ludicrous concept.

This is actually the same situation I faced with Cfrock a while back, in which I had to explain this to him multiple times, as he seemed hellbent on missing that crucial detail, so I'm actually kind of surprised that I'm having to go over it again. Nothing against you, it's just that with how many times I've laid out my predictions regarding Zelda U's controls, I would expect to not have to do it anymore.

 

[Justac00lguy]

See, now you're overlooking that I said the right analog stick would be used to emulate the 1:1 controls. I'm know that buttons wouldn't be able to properly do that, and I know that attempting to do such would end in disaster. I'm also aware that trying to swing the GamePad around would be a ludicrous concept.

This is actually the same situation I faced with Cfrock a while back, in which I had to explain this to him multiple times, as he seemed hellbent on missing that crucial detail, so I'm actually kind of surprised that I'm having to go over it again. Nothing against you, it's just that with how many times I've laid out my predictions regarding Zelda U's controls, I would expect to not have to do it anymore.

Yeah I saw that but I just don't see how it would work as effectively as the actual motion controls themselves. I mean I feel it would be incredibly awkward to really hammer in that precision with such a small room for error. With motion, using the surrounding area to interact with the sensor bar, you have so much space to make that accurate movement with the sword. However the analog stick, while keeping that circular range of motion, just doesn't have that same accuracy, which is where I see the problem stemming from. I guess you also have the problem where, in 1:1 motion, you can move outside the circular plane and into a more 3D plane whereas that would be sort of hard with the analog stick.

If they were to do this though, I'd be intrigued by the idea and I'd like to see the execution before my premature judgment. It just isn't my desired preference is all.

 

[JuicieJ]

There've been other games that have used the right analog stick for sword control before, such as Metal Gear Solid 2 & Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (though that one functioned a bit differently than what I described), and they did it just fine. I have full confidence that Nintendo would be able to nail it. I mean, they've always nailed Zelda's controls, so what would stop them now?

 

[Salem]

I hate the idea of using the right analogue stick for the sword movement, that would mean we will AGAIN give up a proper camera control in a 3D Zelda game, so no I would rather if they want to use the gamepad, they use a button for the sword.

 

[Spiritual Mask Salesman]

I'd rather a button be pressed to control link's sword.