If Breath of The Wild were linear, what would be Link's route across Hyrule?
Map out Linear Breath of The Wild!
I'll answer the second question first. If it were up to me, after Kakariko Village, Link's general path would be:
1. Zora's Domain/Vah Ruta
- This would serve as a beginning "dungeon" and a nice introduction to the story. On the way there, a requirement to access Zora's Domain would be to locate the "Calamity Ganons Return" memory, which would set the stage to introduce the Champions, as well as the gruesome destruction of the Calamity. After completing Vah Ruta and learning of Mipha and the other Champions fate, that would set the tone for the game. To avenge your fallen fishwaifu and friends and activate the three remaining Divine Beasts.
2. Goron City/Vah Rudania
- Link learns of the sacred sword that can truly defeat Ganon, and learns that it is hidden away in a thick forest. Near the entrance to the Lost Woods before the Korok Forest, an NPC that blocks the path could say that the Divine Beast that is acting up on Death Mountain is damaging the forest (flinging lava/rocks, etc), making it currently inaccessible. Link will then travel to Goron City, and eventually tame Vah Rudania, which stops it from damaging the forest. After the beast is tamed, Link makes his way back to Korok Forest.
3. The Master Sword
- Due to two Divine Beasts falling, the Calamity has increased the strength of the two remaining beasts. The aura of the Master Sword would allow Link to withstand the increased levels of malice in the remaining beasts, however in his current state, Link does not possess the health/valor necessary to pull the sword. The Great Deku tree hints at him to complete enough shrines to get enough fortitude to acquire the Master Sword.
At this point in the story, the game opens up for mostly full exploration. This way Link can still travel around Hyrule, but be unable to get near the remaining two beasts. Link would still be able to go into Gerudo Town and Rito Village, but would unable to progress the "story". Once Link has the 13 hearts, he is able to pull the Master Sword. Link must then travel to the Springs of Power, Wisdom, and Courage to fully awaken the swords power. Think of how we had to awaken it via WW, or TP. Once Link completes the final spring, we could get a voice dialogue from Zelda, sensing the fully awoken power of the sword, and Link is now ready to fight the remaining two beasts, and the Calamity itself.
4. Rito Village/Vah Medoh
- After hearing Zelda's voice, Link hears the cries of Vah Medoh, and using his Sheikah Slate, see's Teba fall from the sky. Link departs to the northwest, and the events of this Divine Beast begin. After going through the normal sequences we see, it's obvious the last Divine Beast remains near the Gerudo Desert, as he feels a sudden, ominous wind brush against his face from the south west, with increasing thunderstorms on the horizon. Link departs to the south.
5. Gerudo Desert/Vah Naboris
- During the trek from Rito Village towards the desert, there is a significant increase in thunder/lightning storms coming from Calamity overloading Vah Naboris with malice. The sequence of this part of the quest occur, nothing changes, Link must still don the outfit of a sexy vai and gain access to Gerudo Town. After quelling Naboris, Link gets yet another voice dialogue from Zelda, encouraging him that now is the time for him to storm Hyrule Castle, and defeat Calamity Ganon.
Instead of having many memories to find, most of them can be obtained through the story developing between the four Divine Beasts, with the smaller, more comedic memories (frog one) being out in the Wild. Of course, there is so many possibilities, but this would be an interesting way for the story to play out.
Let's Take Away the whole "I can do anything in any order" part. Still Breath of The Wild, but also kinda not.
Would it be a good game? What are your thoughts?
It would be a great game regardless. BotW has so much content to do and explore, I would be happy with whatever way they wanted to do it.