Zelda BOTW - Think I may have wasted my money. ☹️

[Ottercave]

I usually play games like The Sims or Hayday. Loved Zoo Tycoon and Animal Crossing on the Nintendo DS although hated the Switch version of AC.
Thought I’d broaden my horizons and after a lot of research decided on Assassins Creed 3 and Zelda BOTW.
I’m not a great player at the best of times, in fact I’d probably say terrible, but I’m slowly working my way through AC3. BOTW is not working at all. I’m already stuck and I’m only on the finding the 4 shrines mission at the beginning. I just can’t seem to get it. I’m getting to that stage where I’m thinking it’s not for me and I’ve wasted all that money. I’m swapping between either getting angry with the game or wanting to cry.
Would be great if any mumsnetter’s could either share any experiences they’ve had of games that didn’t work for them after spending a small fortune on them ( misery breeds misery and might make me feel better ) or help me out with how the hell to find the shrines ( preferably with instructions an idiot could follow ).

Have googled the walkthroughs? That will help you :)

Please don't give up!

Definitely Google or YouTube a walkthrough for it.

I started Bloodborne and regretted it.
Then my friend recommended a YouTuber who does walkthroughs.

It was the best thing I ever did! (I'm a completionist) and I got the platinum for it!

You shouldn't need it all the time but Google and YouTube are your friends here.

DON’T GIVE UP OP! I was literally you, only ever played ‘soft’ games like Sims or Animal Crossing. BOTW became my all-time favourite game, I honestly get goosebumps thinking about how it made me fall in love with gaming! I hated shrines because they’re not really the sort of thing I’m good at so as a PP said I just used walkthroughs pretty much every step of the way to get through them as quickly as possible. They then became a very minor part of the game because I didn’t even bother trying to ‘work’ them out so to speak, I just walkthroughed how to do it. The game really becomes what you make of it as it is so big. Walkthrough parts you don’t like so they don’t become troublesome and then you can just lean into the open world and side quest dimensions of the game!

Please don't give up on BOTW! I am an older woman and not a big gamer at all, but I wanted to play BOTW because the previews looked so beautiful. It took me a long time to get a feel for what I was doing because the game doesn't tell you what to do next very much, especially at the beginning. You can just wander around and see what you discover if you want. There is no time limit and you don't have to do anything in a linear way. I was not very good at combat at first and even had to write down the control sequences for things so I could refer to my list. (I got better! But in the beginning I sneaked around and avoided a lot of situations.) When doing the shrines, just try to figure them out - puzzles are good for the brain. If you don't get it the first time, come back - they still make good travel points. Some are harder than others for sure and you may need walkthroughs. Anyway, it's my favorite game ever, and now I've played Tears of the Kingdom too. (AC is also very high on my list and not sure why you wouldn't have liked the Switch version... I still visit my town from time to time.) Anyway, good luck. Here are walkthroughs I used the most:
https://primagames.com/coverage/legend-zelda-breath-wild-guide-and-walkthrough-puzzle-solutions
https://www.polygon.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-guide-walkthrough
https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild/Walkthrough
But like people said, there are a lot of videos on YouTube too.

The start is interminable, get through that any way you can, then you’ll get hooked.

Thank you so much everybody for replying. Last night I really did feel like crying over a bloody game.🙄😂
Feeling more positive today.
@edagon Tonight and tomorrow night will be spent looking at the walkthrough links you've very helpfully posted.
Spoke to my DS this morning as well who also suggested Youtube and walkthrough guides on there. Where was he last night when I needed him? 😂
Fingers crossed that with all your help and encouragement I can get the hang of this game and have many hours of enjoyment playing it.

Just thought I’d update on progress. I looked at a few walkthrough guides and realised I’d really messed up so as I hadn’t got too far I started again.
Have made more progress in the 3 hours I’ve played on the past couple of nights than the previous 2 weeks which is good. I’ve manage to do one of the shrines so that only keaves 2 to go. 👍
On the down side I’m stuck on one of the shrines. All the trees that I’ve cut down ended up down in the ravine so I have no way of crossing the ravine to climb up to the shrine. Told you all I was terrible at this. 🙄😂

It's one of the best games ever so I'm glad you're persisting. I've nearly completed Tears of the Kingdom which is the next one. You have potentially hundreds of hours of game play ahead of you. Bit envious actually.

Put perhaps it's just not for you? I also tried BOTW hearing how great it was but it just wasn't for me. You're playing it on Switch, right?

Did you try Stardew Valley or Cosy Grove?

My recommendation is before you purchase a game, go and see other people on Youtube play it (no commentary) and see if it's for you. If gameplay on Youtube intrigues you, go for it, if it doesn't it probably won't work.

Don't give up! You need to watch some YouTubers play the first part, honestly it gets easier! I felt a bit like you did at first but don't give up, it's one of the best games I've ever played and there's so much to do.

Search for a YouTuber called Zack Scott, I pretty much played along with him for a while by watching an episode then sort of following it on my game.

Once you know how to use the game mechanics properly you can find so many interesting ways to do stuff!!

@cassiatwenty You could be right and it’s not for me but on paper it seemed like something I would enjoy playing plus I’ve spent a lot of money on it.
Yes I’m playing on Switch. I got a Switch purely for Animal Crossing plus I like the discreteness of the Switch ifyswim. I did look at Stardew Valley as one of my DC plays it but I wasn’t too impressed with it.
I’ve not been able to play much recently so have spent my time online researching what I’m doing. I’ve managed to complete 3 shrines and have the information on how to do the 4th so hopefully will complete that soon.
I am starting to enjoy the game and I’ve discovered I’m very good at fighting the monsters. I’m feeling more positive about the game as long as I have internet access and can google how to do stuff. 😀

@Ottercave Brilliant, I'm pleased for you! Zelda also has a sequel as I understand that's fairly recent. Glad that Youtube was of service.

A lot of people love the game and say that there is so much to explore and do, and also because it's on Switch means you can just go and have some alone time with it

I could have written your post OP - I'm relieved not to be the only one!

Well after saying I was feeling more positive I have to admit I’ve not touched it since July.

@Jabtastic Definitely not the only one. Hoping that maybe I’ll go back to it at some point in the future as it was a lot of money to spend to not play it.

I really really couldn't get into this game. My sister nagged me for months to play it, bigging it up as the most amazing game ever, and I was so disappointed!

It's a shame you couldn't get into it, it's my all time favourite Switch game, I'm currently playing Hogwarts Legacy which is similar but easier to fill the Zelda hole.

Did you buy a physical copy or a digital download? If you bought the game card you'll be able to sell it and get a big chunk of your money back.

I sold mine for £45 after playing it through twice.

If you ever do go back to it then do persist, I found the first few hours quite hard but once you're off the Great Plateau you can explore in any direction you choose and avoid any combat until you've got better weapons which make it much easier to kill the baddies.