The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is Adding Player Choice

It’s time to buck tradition. Instead of sticking to the exact same formula for each and every entry in The Legend of Zelda franchise, Nintendo has decided to switch things up with A Link Between Worlds. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata explained just what will be different with this key franchise during today’s Nintendo Direct.

Zelda titles might not be constrained, linear adventures where the player is forced to travel through tight corridors, but player choice hasn’t exactly been a staple of the adventure series. The order of dungeons has always been predetermined, but that will be changing with the upcoming 3DS title. Items can now be purchased in the game’s store at any time, and these items will be used to solve particular puzzles in different dungeons. So, instead of relying on the game to hand you the correct piece of equipment and pointing you in the right direction, A Link Between Worlds will ask players to choose the order in which they want to complete dungeons.

Let’s not jump to conclusions and call this an open-world title, but you can at least expect something different when The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds launches on 3DS Nov. 22.