Recommendation lists for games similar to breath of the wild usually throw twenty titles at you and explain none of them. This one is shorter on purpose and says what each pick borrows from Breath of the Wild.

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Half the appeal of Breath of the Wild was pacing, and pacing is the hardest thing for a recommendation list to match. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.

The short answer

If you want the closest match to Breath of the Wild in feel rather than genre, start with the first pick below and treat the rest as branches from it.

The closest matches

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. One clean run beats five rushed ones, both for results and for your patience. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. The obvious picks are obvious for a reason, but the third or fourth suggestion is usually the one people remember.

If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. Treat the numbers as a guideline; your exact result depends on your setup and current version.

Worth a look if you want something lighter

It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.

  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Similar core loop, different setting — easiest transition.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
  • Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.

What people actually miss about Breath of the Wild

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Ask yourself whether you want the same systems or the same mood; the answer changes the list completely.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.

Frequently asked questions

Which one is closest to Breath of the Wild?

The first pick, if you care about the loop. If you cared more about the writing or the atmosphere, the second one lands closer.

Are any of these free?

Some have free demos or trial weekends, which is the cheapest way to find out whether the comparison holds for you.

Does this still work after the latest update?

It did at the time of writing. If a step no longer matches, the underlying idea normally still applies even when a menu has moved.

Games Similar to Breath of the Wild is not complicated once the order of operations is clear, and now it is.