During their E3 Treehouse live stream event, Nintendo revealed that the newly-announced Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will include over 100 shrines spread throughout the map. Shrines of Trials are mini dungeon-like buildings where players are rewarded with a Spirit Orb after completing puzzles. Link can then trade in Spirit Orbs for a glider, once four are collected. But Orbs will be used in other similar ways and will also serve a larger purpose in the game.
#Zelda Breath of the Wild features 100+ Shrines of Trials! Finding the path to get to them involve puzzles. pic.twitter.com/mtvBYp5nf4
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 14, 2016
The locations of shrines can be scouted out by using the Sheikah Slate, a mysterious item with a versatile set of abilities. Link was shown scoping in on far-off locations with the Sheikah Slate and then placing a marker on the map with the item. Fitting to the open-world aspects of Breath of the Wild, shrines can be completed in any order, providing players with a larger sense of freedom. In addition to shrines, the classic dungeons or temples featured in prior games will still be included in the next installment.
Shrines also allow the player to pick up new abilities known as Runes. The Rune presented in the demo was called Magnesis, an ability that allows Link to move metallic objects such as boulders, blocks, and even certain treasure chests.
Nintendo revealed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild trailer earlier today. The game will release on Wii U and NX in 2017.