Map towers vs auto map vs no map

[TheLastStarFighter]

SvennoJ said:

TheLastStarFighter said:

It's the whole experience.  It's a perfectly executed piece of gaming.  Reasons:

 

- The towers themselves are presented as mystical, magical. They are a special object visible from a distance, a goal you want to achieve. 

-Each one is unique and presents a different challenge to reach. At first you think you just need to climb them, but then you find the puzzles are growing.

-The views are stunning giving you a chance to soak up the amazing visuals of the game.

-The views are also done in such a way as to preview the province you are exploring, with special places jumping out at you.

-The pacing of the climbing is just right, and the moment you reach the top handled perfectly with the camera.

-The music for these scenes is absolutely on point, giving a truly magical feel as you stair up at the stars, about to have ancient secrets revealed.

-I wouldn't want a different reward. Items are found elsewhere.  In a game about exploration, few things can top getting a map.

 

All in all, one thing that Breath does exceptionally well is variety and changing of pace. Exploration, combat, shrine puzzles...all done so well and all providing different experiences.  The towers are one of these,  with the pace being slow, methodical and magical.  They remind me a bit of the opening of Game of Thrones: start of a new episode with great music and if you look close a preview of what's to come in that chapter. 

 

The only thing I might change would be the hybrid option suggested earlier, where the map would be revealed by the tower, but maybe in black and white and is only filled in colour as you explore. 

I agree with all of that, up to the point it paints in the places I haven't been yet. I'm leaving the towers until last now so it doesn't feel like a chore to visit the rest of the map. Once it's all revealed half the excitement of exploration is gone. I do like the nice rewarding view and since I've now already explored the whole zone I recognize all the places I've been. Even better.
Instead of revealing the map the tower could reveal a special shrine quest for which you have to locate a specific geographical feature visible from the tower. That shrine could have a special reward in the form of clothing beneficial to that zone.

PS I don't like previews at the start of shows either, spoils half the fun. I don't mind the teaser for next week since I'll have forgotten about it by then, yet don't remind me right before watching. (And I hate that x hours earlier mechanic, just continue there since you already showed what's going to happen)

I'm currently circling Goron mountain / the vulcano, I don't know the name yet :) It has some very nice shrines.

Yeah, it's funny, I hate previews too.  I even avoid trailers for movies and games I'm pumped for, and almost nothing of Breath has been spoiled for me.  But I don't mind the maps.  I find they have just enough detail to provide a guide, but don't spoil the exploration.  They look like an old map that was hand-drawn, but lack modern details or what may be going on there today.  I don't find them too spoiler-y.