Unique, Explorer Themed BotW Playthrough

[TheWombatOfDoom]

I'm an artist and self-taught cartographer that for years has charted real life areas I’ve explored and parks into maps, even proposed to my wife using a charted map for her to follow.  In my writing of a fantasy novel, I’ve created maps of towns, countries, and continents. I've recently had an idea to kind of play Breath of the Wild in a different way - as if Link was an Explorer who was documenting his journey in a real log book.  He would follow his own path of exploration and document his journey in a very real way.

        It would be a let’s play I would stream, where I’d have a camera sitting above me to show the things I stop to sketch or write field notes, sketch and translate ancient writings, surmise connections and imagine what the world may have looked like before Ganon’s calamity.  Delve into lore and architecture.  Identify where certain creatures resided in an expanding hand drawn map, as well as cooking pots and other points of interest.  

        I think it would be a “Breath” of fresh air from the normal/blind play throughs of the game, or the experienced play throughs.  I’ve played the game before so I know about most of the things in the game, so it will be more about a role playing experience and looking at the small or obscure details of the game.  I’d like to put some self-imposed rules on the play through.  Following the storyline until we get a camera is crucial so that we can start documenting things more easily.  There will be no fast traveling to highlight the lesser forms of travel – horseback riding for instance is trivialize by fast travel, so I’d prefer that method.

I mention all this because I was curious how you folks felt about such a thing.  Does it sound like something you’d watch?  Do you have any things you’d like to see explored or questioned in this manner?  Thing you’d be excited to watch me explore?  Other rules you think would be good for the play through?  A good name for the project?  Let me know!

[hennethannun]

Wombat -

I'd definitely be interested in this endeavor - especially if Link were played as an unknowing explorer in a new land (which is, in effect, what he is in Breath of the Wild). I'm not sure what rules to contribute to such a pursuit, but I very much like the idea. I agree about the fast travel system; it really ruins many aspects of the game (though understandably so). The whole map is enticing to me, and although I've finished every quest in the game, the lovely Korok search continues; so, that in itself would be an interesting phenomenon for Link to discover. I do wish, though, above all, that they had a decent first-person camera in the game, without all the visual noise of the Sheikah Slate's camera - it's quite intrusive. I really wish that they would change that design.

But, in all, it sounds like a delightful project - even if it's just done for yourself or a few people.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

First person mode would be exceptional!

Wish I could show case some practice sketches of the project!  My Twitch channel is: twitch.tv/thewombatofdoom.  I'll probably start the play through after Christmas, since I still want to complete the game completely before I begin the second play through.  This includes the new DLC.  Feel free to add in your wisdom here or there!

Link will be an "unknowing explorer", though he may delve into some of the timeline conjecture after having unlocked his memories.  Most of it will still be from an unknown outlook, indeed, which should prove to make unique experiences out of strange places or races.  

Even if it turns out small and unpopular, I do projects I have interest in because any project the producer isn't having fun working on is one that will appear even less attractive.  I just figured I'd let people come for the ride, and perhaps have some interaction because of it!

[hennethannun]

Or just a first-person viewfinder would be excellent - something akin to the viewfinder within the N-64 games. Concerning sketches of the project, you could always link to a website, if you have one. When you say, "complete the game", are you speaking to the Main Quest, or are you intent on collecting all 8,321 Korok seeds scattered to the winds? Are you going to attempt Hero Mode? My friend completed it without dying to 100%, but I assume not everyone shares such die-hard fanaticism. (I certainly don't have the desire, anyway.)

Small and unpopular doesn't mean it's not worth doing; recognition is a part of enjoyment, likely, but not the main part, after all. Best of luck with this endeavor, and keep us apprised!

[TheWombatOfDoom]

My first playthrough I doubt I will collect all of the Koroks, but for my charting playthrough, I'll be delving into 100%.  I think I'll avoid Master Quest though, and I'm avoiding doing Deathless as well because I'd like to enjoy the game a little less tensely.  I may attempt the harder difficulty some day, but without extra content (aside from Gold version enemies) I don't really care about it?  

Agreed.  Best of luck on yours as well!  I will definitely keep you guys in the loop!

[TheWombatOfDoom]

I got a switch for Christmas so I likely will be playing BotW on the superior console, which means I will need to purchase the game for the switch.  That may delay the series a little!

[TheWombatOfDoom]

The longtime conjectured project is coming to a twitch near you sometime next week!  Here's my reddit post:

In the near future, I'm going to be doing a thing called "Breath of Adventure" on my twitch channel, twitch.tv/thewombatofdoom where I'm combining my Zelda Lore knowledge, art skills, and love of Zelda to go on an expedition style play-through of Breath of the Wild. I'll keep a journey notebook of my exploration of Hyrule where I'll draw things and landscapes, make theories on locations and lore based off the past zelda games, and translate signs and such that are in the game in Gerudo, Shiekah, Old and New Hylian. Lastly, I'll be drawing my own map which I'll be marking things on, such as treasure, Korok seeds, cooking pots, etc.

A few rules I've self imposed:

No Warping. This is in favor of traveling from place to place and exploring, while using the less used methods of travel such as horseback riding.

Past Memories. Link when he wakes from the resurrection shrine at the beginning of the game will remember every past incarnation of himself. Since Link basically "died" before they stuck him in the shrine, and so in that time of being restored, he was connected with his past selves. Unfortunately, the repercussions of this caused him to forget his own memories.

100% Playthrough. All 120 shrines. All Korok seeds. All pictures taken. I'll also be documenting recipes and locations of things in my journey notebook.



I'm looking for ideas or suggestions for more rules or things to do on the playthrough, and wanted to see what people thought of this idea.

[hennethannun]

Nice! I'm glad to hear it; I remember you pitching this many months ago. Will your images and maps be visible during the playthrough in real-time? (Or will they be posted separately, after individual gaming sessions have ended?)

I definitely agree with the no warping rule. It will be much more realistic using traditional styles of transportation. (Slower, but better, likely.)

You're a brave human for wanting to get all those Korok seeds . . .

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Here's a link to the first episode!  I draw on stream and you can see it!  

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/510152928