When Breath of the Wild (BOTW) came out, it seemed like every other player had an issue with the weapon durability system, citing frustration over how fast weapons break. While I understood some complaints beforehand, I personally accepted the weapons as consumables right from the start. I never found it to be a flaw because weapons are abundant throughout the game. If you’re managing your gameplay well, running out of weapons seems unlikely. I think the dislike is mainly due to player expectations, as many are used to permanent weapon upgrades in other games. It’s definitely a different experience, but I think people expected something else entirely. I’m curious to know if others share my perspective or feel the complaints are justified.
5 Answers
The durability system is a classic love-it-or-hate-it aspect of the game. I found it less irritating over time, especially in Tears of the Kingdom with the fusion mechanic. It provided a creative way to maintain weapon strength while making the grind a little more engaging.
I get why some people prefer a durability system, but I wouldn’t mind an option to disable it after beating the game. Storing cool weapons would be great too since I just end up hoarding them in my inventory! Displaying legendary items in Link’s house could solve a lot of these issues.
That’s a solid idea! It’d give players a visual reward for their achievements too, rather than just clutter in their inventory.
While I don’t have a huge problem with weapon durability, I do prefer a more balanced system. If weapons had a bit more durability and the Master Sword offered consistent damage without degrading, it might eliminate some of the frustration. But I’ve learned to manage it pretty well by now!
True! Just makes sense that the Master Sword would be a special case—it’s a shame it isn’t treated that way.
Honestly, I think the durability mechanic adds a fun, frantic feel to combat. It forces you to switch things up and keep exploring, so weapons constantly feel fresh. However, I can see how it creates anxiety about managing your inventory, especially for new players.
Exactly! It keeps you on your toes, but I totally get how it might freak some players out, especially if they’re not used to it.
I still think the weapon system is a design flaw. It’s a bummer that weapons feel disposable rather than cherished tools. Even if you’re constantly getting new weapons, it creates a sense of monotony when you’re just replacing what you lost instead of gaining something meaningful.
I get that! It’s hard to get excited over new weapons when they all function similarly.
Absolutely! The fusion aspect is a total game-changer that makes weapons feel less like throwaways and more like tools for creativity.