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This game utilizes gyro aiming in both the Wii U and Switch versions. I don’t use it myself, but it’s pretty nice to have if you’re used to it through Splatoon or whatever.
Plus it’s a good bit better than the other areas where the game uses gyro…ugh…
So last update, the mysterious voice from what appears to be Hyrule Castle told us that Link’s been asleep for the past one hundred years and there’s a terrifying beast that’s close to destroying all of Hyrule and we’re the only thing that can defeat it.
So, uh, we may want to get on that.
But first…
There’s the castle slightly to the left, and a volcanic mountain slightly to the right.
Going clockwise are these two peaks and some sheer cliffs beyond.
A nearby temple, and lots of mountains.
There’s something in the air off in the distance.
This is the only way down that doesn’t involve us dying, so let’s get to it!
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/009.mp4
…Maybe with a little more care next time.
We manage to climb down with slightly less incident, when…
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/011.mp4
You didn’t think we’d avoid the old man forever, did you?
This tower and others just like it have erupted across the land, one after another.
Link, as usual, is a silent protagonist who mainly communicates through answering questions.
He doesn’t really have much reason to hide what’s going on from the only other human being around though, so he tells the old man about the voice he heard.
Unfortunately not.
I see. Well, that is unfortunate.
It appeared suddenly and destroyed everything in its path. So many innocent lives were lost in its wake. For a century, the very symbol of our kingdom, Hyrule Castle, has managed to contain that evil. But just barely. There it festers, building its strength for the moment it will unleash its blight upon the land once again. It would appear that moment is fast approaching…
We don’t know much. Link’s been asleep for a hundred years, this thing has conquered Hyrule Castle and remains there for some mysterious reason, and only we can save it.
But the one thing the various Links have shared throughout this series is a sense of courage. And our Link is no exception. We will.
I had a feeling you would say that.
So we’re pretty much stuck here until we get that paraglider. Wait, what’s this about a paraglider?
Oho! Piqued your interest, have I? Yes, I didn’t come soaring down here on my own feathery wings, you know!
Let’s see now… How about I trade it for a bit of treasure that slumbers nearby?
A quick walk over to this hill, where the shrine we previously visited looks a bit different now.
It began glowing at the exact moment those towers rose up from the ground. I would think such a place might house some sort of treasure, wouldn’t you?
Welp, looks like we’ve got our next objective.
Anyway, this pedestal is now active, so let’s try interacting with it.
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/049.mp4
Looks like we’re clear to enter!
So, what exactly is this place?
Welcome to our first shrine!
As you may be aware, there’s not really traditional dungeons like in earlier games, though there’s areas that are pretty close to them. Otherwise, much of the more puzzle-oriented gameplay takes place in these shrines, which are usually short areas that test your skills and logic. The nice thing is, because of the nature of the game, there’s usually more than one way to solve many of these shrines, especially if you’re particularly creative and can master some of the game’s weirder mechanics. There’s also shrines that are combat tests, and shrines that don’t have any challenge to them, usually because the challenge is to gain access in the first place through some overworld puzzle or test or what have you.
This shrine and the next several exist to introduce you to the major mechanics this game uses for interacting with the environment.
To be able to progress, we’ll have to insert our Sheikah Slate here.
And undergo a rather weird upgrade procedure…
…to get our first rune, Magnesis! And boy, is it a fun and sometimes broken one to play with.
Magnesis is rather simple. Activate the rune with the L button, use the camera to highlight any metal object (the rune helpfully highlights all metal objects that can be interacted with), and…
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/063.mp4
…lift the metal object up! Manipulate the camera to control where it goes, with Up and Down on the D-Pad moving the object towards or away from you. B to stop manipulating the object.
Removing this slab of metal reveals a secret entrance to bypass the gate.
Next up, a stone wall with a rather obvious metal block in it.
Now, you may think, “Why not just climb up the wall?” While you can climb almost any surface in the overworld, you can’t in shrines to keep things from getting too busted. That’s no problem here, though, thanks to MAGNESIS!
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/066.mp4
Rather than crawl through a hole in the wall, we proceed to knock it down instead. And also run into a new enemy.
This is a Guardian Scout. These guys are a bit more durable than the Bokoblins we’ve faced before, plus they can fire lasers. They’re pretty slow to attack though so if you’re agile enough they should be little threat.
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/069.mp4
But this is Breath of the Wild, after all! We have options, including our handy new power! Heavy metal objects can do some damage as well as block projectiles. Not necessarily something you can count on in every battle, and it’s not very damaging later in the game, but it’s a great way to save a bit of wear and tear on your weapons.
The Scout goes down easily and we get some screw for our troubles. Alright, then.
Next little puzzle is this gap. If only we had a bridge…
Oh, wait!
Many chests are considered metal. We grab it and bring it right to us!
Free bow is always nice.
Last “puzzle” is opening these doors.
Mainly a way to make sure you understand how to pull objects towards you.
Nothing too hard, just making sure you understand the basics of your new power. It’s enough to get you started, at any rate.
The end of the shrine has…uh…
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/080.mp4
I am a humble monk, blessed with the sight of Goddess Hylia and dedicated to helping those who seek to defeat Ganon. With your arrival, my duty is now fulfilled. In the name of Goddess Hylia, allow me to bestow this gift upon you.
https://mp4.mega64.net/botw/u03/087.mp4
This is the reward you get for completing a shrine. As for what they do…you’ll find out soon! But not now.
And the monk disappears into the aether. And that’s our first shrine completed!
Only 119 to go…
Well, that was quick.
I’m quite curious as to how he knew a spirit orb was inside.
As one gets older, it can become more difficult to see what is right before one’s own eyes… However, that which was once hidden from view can often be crystal clear. But perhaps that is not true for everyone! Oho ho! The appearance of those towers and the awakening of this shrine…
Huh?
It has been quite some time since I have seen that Sheikah Slate…
The great power of their wisdom saved this kingdom time and time again.
It is interesting, however, to think… how something like that survived all this time, hidden away in a shrine. These shrines are tucked away in numerous places all across this land. On this plateau alone, I believe there are still three more.
Ahahahahahaha, we’re never getting off this plateau are we. So apparently we need four total.
Whether it’s one treasure or four, what’s the difference for a young go-getter like yourself? Since I’m feeling generous, I will also teach you a trick for finding shrines.
Climb…up the tower? Really?
Oho ho! I am afraid not. But do not worry! I have another little trick to share with you for your effort.
You can travel instantly to any of those places with the Sheikah Slate.
…You’re terrible at this, old man. Anyway, we can simply fast-travel to the top of the tower, which is quite handy.
Next time, we’ll track the other three shrines and then proceed to ignore them in favor of futzing around some more.