Unlike other games that force players to aim with a reticle, The Pathless’ archery mechanics are timing-based. The simple act of moving around is entertaining as players sprint, glide with the eagle’s help, and target talismans scattered throughout the game’s world. Thankfully, The Pathless is a joy to play. The game does succeed at forging a bond between the player and eagle, but the villain doesn't gain much in the way of depth. The most interesting story elements are relegated to the collectible lore found on dead bodies across the island, Dark Souls style. Most of the modest playtime is spent on the journey between these moments, and things don’t feel particularly gripping until the end. After helping a dying eagle deity, the Hunter is gifted with a reborn eagle that expands their move set, empowering them to defeat the Godslayer. Players control a Hunter who ventures to an island to defeat the Godslayer, an evil being who is corrupting the gods. The Pathless does not place much emphasis on its story. We want to hear from you! Take the ultimate Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 survey now. While The Pathless isn’t a flawless experience, it’s a bite-sized Breath of the Wild that anyone can enjoy. There’s a satisfying twist on the familiar archery mechanic, and doing away with the world map that has become standard in modern open-world games is a brave step forward It even offers some unique interpretations of the same formula. The Pathless emphasizes player choice and immersive world design, but on a much more bite-sized scale.

Any exploration that comes after is the icing on the cake. A completionist playthrough of Breath of the Wild can take upwards of 200 hours, but you can beat The Pathless in just five hours. Nintendo has deemed this style of open-world game “open air,” and we’re starting to see more games of this style pop up, like Genshin Impact and Immortals Fenyx Rising.

While the endpoint is predetermined, the journey there makes for an adventure that’s unique for every player. Near the beginning of both games, players are set loose in a large world and asked to explore it with only a few end goals in mind. If The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwas too daunting in scope for you, The Pathless will be much more appealing.

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