Nintendo has updated the Wii U and Switch versions of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with language options, putting the kibosh on numerous complaints that the English voice readings for Princess Zelda and others was not up to snuff. Now, picky fans can choose from nine audio and text language options including French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian. Mix and match to your heart’s content! Just note that the majority of the game’s audio will still be high-pitched sounds from Link as he takes damage.
In other Zelda news, Nintendo has released details of the first DLC pack for Breath of the Wild. Wave-based arena trials, a path tracker, “Hard Mode” that powers up enemies, a fast-travel item, and some new masks and outfits round out the DLC. This first expansion pack will be available this summer.
For a long time, the truism for Nintendo was that they do their own thing. Friend codes, Amiibos, waggle, the Wii U – it’s all part of their ideology. “But when are they going to get serious?” detractors would ask. When was Nintendo going to buckle down and stop being weird? The half-tablet, half-console approach of the upcoming Nintendo Switch seems like a continuation of the company’s quirky strategy. Well, they’re not playing around now. The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild is going to have an expansion pass.
Here’s producer Eiji Aonuma giving everyone the good news. For $20, buyers will get two DLC packs (coming later) and immediate access to three treasure chests in the game’s Great Plateau. The first DLC installment, due in summer, will even follow the industry standard of being a chintzy variety pack consisting of a “Cave of Trials” challenge, the obligatory hard mode, and “a new feature for the in-game map” with no details on what that actually means. Players will have to wait until winter for the second DLC pack if they want actual story additions. If you needed more assurance that Nintendo isn’t messing about, the DLC will only be available in the expansion pass. You cannot buy them separately. Yay for everyone that wanted Nintendo to be more like the other guys!
PAX Prime is an odd experience when you go with a family. Everyone has different interests, so you have to split up at times if the party is going to get the most out of the exhibitions. “Oh, you want to see Ubisoft’s The Crew before we grab some lunch? I want to see Ryse: Son of Rome.” Sometimes, you have to be willing to compromise because every bit of the show floor looks like the image above. It’s just a crowded mess.
Yesterday, PAX gave us some big-budget gaming. For the final day, let’s wrap things up with a look at some other games.
After the jump, the family that attends PAX together, plays together. Continue reading →
