Welcome, adventurers, to the ultimate tale of swords and sorcery, the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A story that is unforgettable, in a rich and vast world of Hyrule with all main protagonist Link and his epic journey through Hyrule. From the moment you wake up in the Shrine of Resurrection, you’re thrust into a world teetering on the brink of calamity. Link’s quest is monumental, steeped in lore, and a riveting orchestration of bravery, wit, and the magic of friendship. Intrigued? Grab your Master Sword and Hylian Shield; we’re going on a journey you won’t forget.
In this Breath of the Wild story recap, we’ll dive into each key chapter of Link’s odyssey. From taming Divine Beasts to the ultimate showdown with Calamity Ganon, consider this your comprehensive guide to the heroics, pitfalls, and unforgettable moments that define this modern-day epic.
Stay tuned, Hero of Hyrule; we’re just getting started.
A Hero Awakens: The Catalyst to Adventure
After slumbering for a century in the Shrine of Resurrection, our protagonist Link awakens with one mission: to save the kingdom of Hyrule from the ominous Calamity Ganon. But hey, it’s not just a “wake up and save the world” sort of day. Oh no, Link is greeted by the spirit of King Rhoam, who paints the tragic tableau of a kingdom in ruins. And to make matters more complex, Link’s memory is as blank as an unused canvas.
Remember those old movies where the hero must find his ancient weapon to defeat the villain? Well, Link’s no different. After acquiring the Sheikah Slate, a mysterious tablet that’s as versatile as a Swiss Army knife, Link steps into the sun-drenched world of Hyrule—a place both hauntingly familiar and strikingly new. The stage is set, and Link, guided by the ethereal wisdom of the late King Rhoam, sets his eyes on his first stop: Kakariko Village.
In this hamlet, untouched by time, he meets his old (but forgotten) friend Impa. This wise elder sets the stage for the grand narrative to follow. Her message is clear: before battling Calamity Ganon, Link must harness the powers of four Divine Beasts—ancient mechas that have turned rogue due to Ganon’s corruption. Only then will he be ready for the ultimate showdown.
Journey to Zora’s Domain: The Saga of Divine Beast Vah Ruta
Ah, water! The elixir of life! But when it’s in the form of a rampaging, elephant-like mecha spouting torrents of water all over Zora’s Domain, it’s not quite as refreshing. Link’s first stop on his whirlwind tour of the four Divine Beasts takes him to this aquatic paradise, home to the fish-like Zora race. Don’t forget your umbrella; things are about to get wet!
Here, Link rekindles a forgotten friendship with Mipha, the gentle Zora Champion from a century ago. Memory loss can be quite inconvenient when you’re supposed to be an ancient hero. Armed with his renewed courage and Mipha’s Grace—a divine gift that revives him upon death—Link calms Vah Ruta’s rogue systems, turning it from a water-spewing behemoth into a weapon aimed squarely at Calamity Ganon.
Daruk and Vah Rudania: Fire and Friendship
Leaving the wet world of the Zora, Link dons his Firebreaker Armor and heads to the molten pathways of Death Mountain. Why? To confront the lava-belching Divine Beast Vah Rudania, of course! With the help of Daruk’s grandson and a fleet of drones that make modern tech look ancient, Link braves the inferno and defeats Fireblight Ganon. His reward? Daruk’s Protection, a force field as muscular as the Goron Champion himself.
Soaring Heights and Desert Sands: Divine Beasts Vah Medoh and Vah Naboris
From molten pathways to icy peaks, Link’s next adventure takes him to the sky-high Rito Village, where the colossal bird-like Divine Beast Vah Medoh rules the sky. A word of caution: flying too close to Medoh might just get you shot out of the sky! Here, Link confronts not only Windblight Ganon but also the legacy of Revali, the arrogant Rito Champion who had a hard time believing that anyone but himself could be the “chosen one.”
After conquering the air, what better place to hit next than the scorching Gerudo Desert? Beware, though! Men aren’t allowed in Gerudo Town. So, what’s a hero to do? Crossdress, of course! In disguise, Link meets Chief Riju, who’s not fooled for a second by his clever get-up. No matter, she needs his help to calm the electrical storm that is Divine Beast Vah Naboris. After some Yiga Clan shenanigans involving bananas and the retrieval of the Thunder Helm, Link takes on Thunderblight Ganon and earns the electrifying power of Urbosa’s Fury.
The Sword of Legend: Mastering the Master Sword in the Lost Woods
Ah, the Lost Woods—a realm of perpetual mist and enigmatic pathways. A place so mysterious, it makes a Labyrinth look like a walk in the park. But within this perplexing woodland lies the Korok Forest, and at its heart, the Master Sword. Forged by the goddess Hylia, it’s a blade that can only be wielded by the worthy.
But don’t think you can just waltz right up and claim it. The Great Deku Tree, the ancient guardian of the forest, lays down the law: you must have thirteen hearts to draw the blade without falling victim to its lethal trial. You heard it right, adventurers—Link will perish if he isn’t strong enough to pull the sword from its stone pedestal. Once you’ve proven your might, however, the Master Sword will serve you like no other, glowing in the presence of evil, and making short work of Malice and Guardians. It’s not just a weapon; it’s a hero’s best friend.
Destiny’s Final Act: The Calamity Ganon Showdown
At last, the stage is set for the battle a century in the making—the face-off against Calamity Ganon. With the four Divine Beasts prepped to rain havoc, Link, armed with the Master Sword, makes his perilous journey to Hyrule Castle (and it’s many secrets). This isn’t a leisurely stroll through the park; no, this is a treacherous path fraught with Guardians ready to turn you into yesterday’s news.
After battling your way through hoards of foes, you’ll finally reach the Sanctum. Here, Zelda has kept Ganon at bay, but now it’s time for the ultimate confrontation. And oh boy, Ganon doesn’t come alone. He brings along his fearsome Blight Beasts for an encore performance. But fret not! With the aid of the Divine Beasts and Zelda’s encouragement, Link can whittle down Ganon’s robust health bar for a fighting chance.
Unleashing the Beast: Dark Beast Ganon, Hatred and Malice Incarnate
Just when you think you’ve dealt the final blow, Calamity Ganon throws a curveball. No more resurrection, no more waiting—Ganon assumes his final form: Dark Beast Ganon, a monstrosity representing pure hatred and malice. Imagine a boar from hell, except bigger, angrier, and filled with a whole lot of evil juju.
As Link, you’ll mount your trusty horse and ride through the field of battle, armed with the ethereal Bow of Light. Zelda, now a guiding voice, helps pinpoint Ganon’s weaknesses. Your aim? Hit these vulnerable spots to deal a critical blow, while dodging Ganon’s terrifying fire attacks. It’s an adrenaline-pumping, edge-of-your-seat experience that culminates in Zelda’s angelic appearance. With a burst of divine energy, she seals away Ganon, restoring peace to Hyrule.
A New Dawn: The Quest to Rebuild
The story doesn’t end here. Link and Zelda, standing before a weathered but still imposing Hyrule Castle, ponder their next steps. They are not alone—the spirits of the four Champions and King Rhoam watch over them, finally at peace. Zelda, ever the optimist, already has plans for the future: Vah Ruta isn’t working properly, and that needs investigating. More importantly, she aspires to restore Hyrule to its former glory, and perhaps, improve upon it.
While she may not hear the voice within the Master Sword anymore, Zelda is unworried. For her, the legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild story isn’t about mystical powers or heroic feats alone. It’s about hope, resilience, and the undying spirit to make things right.
And there you have it, a complete breath of the wild plot recap that takes you from Link’s awakening to the end of Ganon’s dark reign. It’s a story of courage, friendship, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Ready to grab your Master Sword and set off on your own Hyrule adventure?
