Breath of the Wild pit players against the Divine Beasts corrupted by Ganon’s dark influence, but these machines could reappear in Breath of the Wild 2’s setting in several ways. While it’s likely for the sequel to add, remove, and upgrade various features found in the original game, the state of the map provides Nintendo many opportunities to expand for Link’s future adventures. It’s unknown how similar BOTW 2 will be to its predecessor, but the Divine Beasts’ inclusion could provide a good starting point for reusable in-game assets.
Breath of the Wild takes place a century after the Great Calamity, a doomsday event that destroyed the Kingdom of Hyrule and corrupted many ancient technologies. Princess Zelda, Link, and four Champions from neighboring nations and peoples tried to stop him with the help of Breath of the Wild’s Divine Beasts but were ultimately unsuccessful. Each Champion died in their respective Beast, while Link rested in a Shrine of Resurrection for a hundred years. Players venture through Hyrule and other territories to reclaim the Divine Beasts and Master Sword and defeat Calamity Ganon. Though Nintendo released little about Breath of the Wild 2, the game occurs in the same timeline and universe as the first game of its name, meaning the Divine Beasts could reappear in some capacity.
Divine Beasts are a set of four massive, mechanical creations designed by the Sheikah people in preparation for Ganon’s return. They accompany various Guardians and other technological marvels that eventually fall victim to Ganon’s corruption. While these creations helped Hyrule in the initial war, the Divine Beasts’ and Guardians’ corruption turned them into some of BOTW’s most powerful enemies. Thankfully, the Divine Beasts become one of the most powerful allies in Link’s fight against Calamity Ganon and assist the hero and Zelda in claiming victory. Despite their purpose being fulfilled during BOTW’s conclusion, the Divine Beasts could provide several benefits to Breath of the Wild 2.
Divine Beasts Could Be BOTW 2’s Fast Travel System
Though Nintendo has released few details about Breath of the Wild 2, it’s likely players can expect a game of similar scope and style to the original title. In the original Breath of the Wild, players enjoyed nearly unlimited freedom around the massive map but still received fast travel points in the form of Ancient Shrines, Sheikah Towers, and Divine Beasts. If Breath of the Wild 2 features similar fast travel systems, the Divine Beasts could provide a good starting point for exploring the new world and venturing efficiently throughout the nation. Not only does each Divine Beast mark the border of a different kingdom and biome, but it could potentially provide players with an understandable dose of nostalgia. Divine Beasts presented a pivotal moment in BOTW’s main story and quests and should serve a similarly impactful purpose in the sequel.
Fast travel points in Zelda’s Breath of the Wild games often provide players with an opportunity to level up and are usually located near essential structures. The Divine Beasts, though appearing functional at Breath of the Wild’s conclusion, could have deteriorated in the two years leading up to the sequel and remained as monuments located around the map. If Breath of the Wild 2 removes Sheikah Towers and Ancient Shrines, Divine Bases could be used as bases for each territory. Whether Link uses them for storage, surveillance, or training, the space within and the spirits of the Champions provides an appropriate resting place and fast travel point for BOTW 2. The presence of the Champions could also turn the Divine Beasts into a suitable story location where Link can experience mentoring sessions for combat or new skills. Breath of the Wild lacked traditional tutorials, but the Divine Beasts can act as checkpoints and training rooms to introduce and hone new combat techniques without the risk of death.
BOTW 2’s Divine Beasts Could Unlock Different Areas And Movement Styles
The Breath of the Wild 2 trailers suggest players can explore different terrains and forms of movement. Link can be seen diving off floating platforms and diving through the sky to reach distant areas, but it’s unknown how he adapts these abilities or where these locations are. The game’s art style hasn’t changed much, but it’s unknown whether Link remained in Hyrule following the defeat of Calamity Ganon. Assuming BOTW 2 takes place in Hyrule, the Divine Beasts could be the reason for Link’s new explorations and movement. Each Divine Beast resides in different terrain: Vah Ruta thrives in an aquatic region, Vah Rudania lurks in a volcanic area, Vah Medoh flies through the skies, and Vah Naboris lumbers throughout the deserts. Though each Divine Beast escapes from Ganon’s influence during Breath of the Wild, they could function as a tutor to Link in teaching him to navigate various hazardous environments and bar the way forwards with trials or puzzles.
Breath of the Wild’s Divine Beasts represented a set of puzzles and boss fights that players should have defeated before entering Hyrule Castle. However, if the Divine Beasts don’t function as bases or fast travel points, they could become arenas where Link proves his worth and obtains new traversal abilities. BOTW’s paraglider provided an intuitive way to explore the map, but swimming underwater, flying through the air, climbing over mountains and dangerous peaks, and surfing through the sands opens new opportunities for Nintendo and Zelda fans. By turning BOTW’s Divine Beast designs into a proving ground that unlocks new abilities or dangerous territories, Breath of the Wild can maintain the importance of Divine Beasts while updating their uses.
While it’s unlikely Breath of the Wild 2 will similarly utilize the Divine Beasts to its predecessor, the size of these creatures and their sophisticated design suggests they’d survive the passage of time. Whether they still function after the defeat of Calamity Ganon is unknown, as the spirits of the past Champions may have departed and taken the machine’s energies with them. However, including the Divine Beasts in the sequel provides players with a sense of continuity between the two games. Nintendo has announced no release date for Breath of the Wild 2, but the game will likely release as a Nintendo Switch exclusive.
