Non-Fiction Gaming is giving our readers a chance to win a copy of the action-adventure game Rise of the Tomb Raider for Xbox One. To celebrate the launch of the new Game Club Podcast this month, we’ve got a copy of the game to give away and some Steam codes for indie games to give away.
One lucky Non-Fiction Gaming reader will receive one physical copy of the game for Xbox One, while runners up will receive Steam codes for some indie games. To enter this competition, simply answer in 25 words or less the following question:
“What game should the Game Club Podcast tackle next, and why?”
The Non-Fiction Gaming team will choose our five favourite answers based on their creativity. The winner will receive one physical copy of Rise of the Tomb Raider for Xbox One.
This competition closes on April 30, so get your entries in fast on our Facebook page.
Tune in to the Game Club Podcast every fortnight on iTunes.
Razer will pay you zSilver, its virtual currency, for playing popular PC games through its new service Razer Cortex.
Razer, earlier this week announced a “Paid to Play” initiative in concert with zVault, the virtual wallet and digital currency ecosystem that Razer launched earlier this year.
Through this new program, Gamers can now earn zSilver currency by playing their favourite PC games launched from Razer Cortex. Razer Cortex is a free software that gives gamers a wide array of PC performance tools, and search tools for game deals.
Participants can redeem these zSilver points for Razer products, one of which is The Chroma Mug Holder.
The Chroma Mug Holder features Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting and Synapse connectivity, and can be set up to blink at certain intervals because Razer products are all about that low-glo.
The Chroma Mug Holder
Users can use zSilver to redeem for other Razer products, discount vouchers and exclusive swag. Razer plans to expand zSilver rewards in the future to include commodities such as coffee, movie tickets and more. This virtual currency program is the first solution of its kind for rewarding gamers worldwide.
The goal of the Paid to Play campaign is to make Razer products available to all hardcore gamers, reflecting the brand’s inclusive “For Gamers. By Gamers” motto.
Three zSilver per minute, up to 900 each day, will be awarded to gamers playing such games as Paladins™, League of Legends™, DOTA™ 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive™ and OverWatch™. These titles are among the most popular games played by Razer software users, and this short list alone has an estimated global audience of 138 million players.
According to Min-Liang Tan, Razer CEO and co-founder. “
“Gamers may reap the benefits of a rewards system simply by doing things they’re already doing.”
“The world of gaming is the ultimate even playing field, representing every kind of person in the world. We are excited about helping good people to get Razer products wherever they are, whatever their situations, and regardless of what game their playing, as long as they are gamers.”
Gamers with verified Razer IDs and whose games are launched from Razer Cortex are eligible for zSilver rewards. Holders of zSilver may claim exclusive items such as the Razer Mamba Chroma gaming mouse, Razer Blackwidow Chroma, discounts on various products among other offers.
So it’s an interested marketing pitch, play games, let us get information about your usage habits and we’ll give you discounts on hardware and software. If you’re a dyed in the wool Razer fan, or just like coloured lights on your gaming peripherals, this may be just the thing for you.
This week the Game Club Podcast is playing ‘Blackwake‘ the pirate simulator. If you’d like to play along with us you can get Blackwake on Steam here.
If you’re playing Blackwake and want to let us know what you think (we may read it out on the podcast) leave a comment below or Tweet to us @NFGLIVE, or request to join our Facebook Group.
At least there’s no real story for us to beat this week so Catherine won’t come up short for the Podcast… maybe.
Blackwake Overview
Blackwake is a multiplayer naval FPS focused on teamwork and cooperation. Fire the cannons, sink enemy ships or board them with firearms and steel.
The game features multiplayer naval warfare gameplay with team focused elements. Destructible naval ships, first person combat, ship sailing and boarding.
Blackwake started as a hobby project in August 2013 between Dakota and Tyler. Passion was formed on developing a pirate naval game inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirate Ship Wars (Garry’s mod) and Battlefield:Pirates. After several prototypes with Dakota’s programming and Tyler’s Artwork a minimum viable product was produced. It garnered positive response with many youtubers in 2014.
Ambition grew and so did the requirement for funding, so a Kickstarter campaign was launched in September 2014. Unfortunately the campaign failed only reaching $7683 out of their $34,000 goal. Considering the response from fans, they decied to pitch the game to several investors and publishers which were ultimately denied.
The game was then scrapped and recreated from scratch to improve the prototype, and work on the lessons learned from the past failures. A second reboot Kickster relaunched a year later in September 2015, and was a critical success.
Raising almost $200,000 from their $10,000 goal. With the help of thousands of Kickstarter backers and closed alpha testing, it led Blackwake to finally release as Early Access on Steam in February 2017.
The West Marches is a style of D&D game where there isn’t a set group who goes on adventures, instead players will organise with the DM and set out from a central town to find adventure in the surrounding area.
There was no regular plot: The players decided where to go and what to do. It was a sandbox game in the sense that’s now used to describe video games like Grand Theft Auto, minus the missions. There was no mysterious old man sending them on quests. No overarching plot, just an overarching environment.
As someone who runs a few Dungeons and Dragons games (as well as the Star Wars RPG) I thought this a great opportunity to play, especially if I was able to jump into games around MY schedule. I recommend checking out the subreddit if you’re interested.
The map isn’t provided by DMs, Players draw what they ‘remember’
What follows is my character’s story after returning to ‘Haven’ the town at the centre of the West Marches. He’s a Half-Elf Bard named Ostarin ‘Rin’ Saicin who tells stories and speaks in a rather outback style of Australian.
Rin’s First West Marches Adventure
Alright, Alright Listen up ya Drongos.
When you’re face to face with a Croc that’s looking you in the eye on account of him standing on two legs like a man, and none of your weapons seem to pierce his scales you’re gonna wish you listened to your mate Rin when he told this very story I’m about to tell ya.
Which one of you thinks they know what a ‘Wet Lands’ looks like?
Cause I’ve bloody been there mate and you better believe I’ve come back with a story or five.
I’m talking about the REAL wetlands, to the south east-ish.
Now you all know me, your old mate ‘Rin’.
And you know my word is as good and true as the sweet songs Dupont usually fills these halls with.
Roll a Wisdom Saving Throw – On a success you scoff at Rin and his tall tales… but of course you keep listening because it’s your good mate Rin.
So listen to me when I say there’s a Gnome you should all be looking up to.
Burlo Thriftkin heard a furphy of some Crocs out there causing trouble, stealing children from their beds, turning the whiskey into piss and worshiping Corellon knows what out there in the Wetlands.
I told him, some of you lot like a bit of the old ‘Piss Whiskey’ but Burlo thought you deserved better, so he put together a crack team to stop these horrors.
Charlotte the underage prodigy, the legendary Sir Wilheim Geist, Xanthar Seeker ‘The Hammer’, and your old mate Rin set off early in the morn so ‘s you wouldn’t have to keep sleep with a Light Cantrip on each night for too much longer.
After some encouragingly ominous words from Jokut and a point in the right direction from one of the city’s finest, we head out east.
Those of you who’ve been out that way or spoken with those who have, may have seen or heard tales of a Giant Glowing Elk down in The Orchard to the south east.
As Rin speaks and describes the Elk, you see a small version floating of it floating and glowing softly above the storyteller
I can attest that he’s real… and will be important later, pay attention.
Early the second day, we come across a field of flowers. Now this field is no ordinary field, and these flowers you wouldn’t want to pick for that cute serving boy you fancy.
These flowers release a sleeping pollen and it’s super effective. Were we you normal everyday adventurers the story would stop there, but Burlo knows how to pick em, and we watched as living vines grew up into shambling men. Thanks to Charlotte’s quick thinking and quicker magic, they were distracted long enough for us to skirt south east around the Flower field.
42 Miles east South Easterly as the crow flies, we made camp above a curious cave.
“Normally, Shit Happens when I do this”
Rin clicks his fingers and the illusory Elk disappears
There is silence for a moment
But no god, no spell and no song could flare up inside that cave of curiosity. There was a field that dampens or possibly devourers magicks.
Thanks to Xanthar, we discovered a name of power scrawled one thousand and one times across the walls, I’ll not speak the name here, in this place, but know that the Cart parked out front of it is mine, though you’re welcome to borrow it if you fill her up before you give it back.
Of course again overnight we hear the call of the Elk to the South-west of us.
The next morning we see the river to our South east. We’ve come to the wetlands, mangroves, and even a dead dwarf.
Here’s where the omens begin to line up. When Jokut tells you he sees: Scales, Teeth, Blood and Gold, you’re probably in over your head. Us however, have a Geist on our side and Sir Whilheim is the best of them.
In the time it takes a hare to blink, the battle trained Sir Whilheim Geist assess the situation and knows there’s Were-Crocs in these swamps, though sinister dark rites have infected the area giving them great strength. He lets fly a javelin into their desecrated altar built of bones and strikes true.
All bastards are bastards but these werecroc bastards is BASTARDS.
Xanthar and Whilheim take the lead and hold overwhelming strength of Man and Crocs at bay, though no steel can pierce or slash their hardened scales.
Cool headed and in control at all times, Burlo unleashes a sacred flame and bringing his god’s wrath upon these fearsome creatures. Charlotte, knowing that the air is full of foul magicks, lays waste to their altar of sin and death, making the world a safer place.
Through cunning and teamwork, Whilheim and Xanthar are able to knock down one of the scaled assailants and force it back into its humanoid form. Eventually we are able to restrain two of these gnashing bags of teeth and scale.
Believing in mercy (and reward) we lead these miserable cretins back to Haven to face the guard’s justice.
We loaded up my wagon and took turns pulling it and our prisoners to the Anti-magic cave.
Here’s where things start to ‘Come a gutser’. Deadset we hear the voice of the Elk that night. Booming through our minds like a bad hangover.
He’s having a go at us for bringing these Werecrocs too close to his fine patch. Meanwhile turns out there’s a ripper big Snake Lord in the swamp who isn’t too happy we knicked off with two of his.
The Elk takes one look at me and knows I’m unworthy to pass, you all know me and I’m a bit ‘Iffy’ this Elk… mate… he could look right through a man, you know what I mean?
She’ll be right, No worries though because with this team we’ve got worthiness to spare and I convince old mate Elk to keep the snake off our tails.
As the Elk and the Snake start to fight, the pious and calm Burlo knows we’re going to ‘cark it’ if we stay put so off we run through the night leaving our new friends behind.
We run on through the night and By the time we stop to catch our breath or bearing we’re breathing in large lungfuls of sleeping pollen and everyone but Xanthar are struggling to keep their eyes open.
Eventually, Xanthar, Whilheim and Burlo grit their teeth and fight off the sleep to get Charlotte and Me to the safety of Haven.
So all in all, a pretty good weekend.
Now who wants to buy their good mate Rin a drink?
Cheers Boys.
-Rin
How Do You Join The West Marches Game?
If you’re struggling to find a Dungeons and Dragons game in your area consider going to /r/West_Marches and signing up. It’s fun to play with new people each session with all kinds of strange party combinations.
I’ll be continuing running my D&D games and posting any Dungeon Master tips that I can come up with. Until then, I hope all your dice rolls are critical hits.
Released on the PS4 on March 21st, Everything is interesting. The question is: is it a game?
Everything caught my eye a couple of weeks ago thanks to its soothing philosophical gameplay trailer (see above). I grabbed it following its release and spent a good few hours trying to figure out what to make of it.
In a nutshell, Everything is an exercise in perspective. Players can roam freely through the universe as whatever they want. Run across the hills as a goat? Go for it. Sail the seas as a continent? Sounds ideal. To achieve this perspective change, Everything allows players to move up or down in scale on a whim.
Players can switch between any and all creatures or things on their current plane. For example, from goat to sheep to redwood. Or they can ‘ascend’ into the next plane up, which may include huge rocks. Or they can ‘descend’ into the plane below, which might go from grass down to atoms. It’s neat descending to the level of mice and see the penguin you used to be towering over you.
Sometimes you can’t see the forest for you’re a tree
Everything involves the player through the use of thoughts and recordings of British philosopher, Alan Watts. Random creatures in the universe will have thought bubbles above them. They can offer some pearls of wisdom or just gripe about the mundanities of life. For some reason, all the rocks I find are incredibly passive aggressive.
That which ties the game together, however, are the theories of Watts. They are so inexorably linked to the ethos behind the game that there would be no structure to Everything without them. Audio recordings are portioned out to players as time passes. Bite-sized chunks allow players to appreciate the message, explore that in the context of the game, and ready their minds for the next one.
Challenges
Part of the trouble with Everything is that it’s a video game. But it’s unlike almost any other game out there. All of this begs the question: how do we analyse Everything?
Do we discuss the controls? Do we talk about the way it encourages ease of exploration by allowing you to move seamlessly across lakes – even if you’re a tree? As we move down this path, we start to characterise Everything as something it’s not. It eschews traditional analysis because it simply isn’t traditional.
The foundation of almost all narrative in gaming is our place in the world and our impact upon it. Even if we look at the most basic of plots: our place as Pac-Man and how we interact with the world by eating pellets and avoiding ghosts.
In modern times, we look at games like Dishonored to see how our place, and the world, evolve through our choices. Everything is the antithesis of that notion.
Take to the skies! Maybe as a bird, maybe as a cloud, maybe as a random 1D shape
Everything puts the idea out there, in no uncertain terms, that all of the universe is connected. You’re not a standalone thing exerting influence over other discrete things. You’re a somewhat different expression of the same Big Bang.
Everything very well could make an exciting way to interpret a lecture. Or it could do well as a video. Again, because it’s neither it defies our expectations. In fact, Everything includes an autoplay mode to simply allow its audience to enjoy Watts’ narration of, well, everything.
I think I need to jump back into the body of a big horned sheep and talk to some more rocks. Maybe then I can define some structure for myself in the game. It’s definitely an acquired taste, however. But I’m enjoying Everything because it’s just really cool.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is an independent adventure video game developed and published by Young Horses. It is a sequel to the 2010 freeware game Octodad.
Initial release date: 30 January 2014
Genre: Adventure game
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems, tvOS
Modes: Single-player video game, Multiplayer video game
Next Time on Game Club
We’re jumping on the high-seas in Blackwake.
Blackwake is a multiplayer naval FPS focused on teamwork and cooperation. Fire the cannons, sink enemy ships or board them with firearms and steel. Play along with Game Club by playing Blackwake on Steam.
CD Projekt Red announced the hot new virtual card game from The Witcher, Gwent will have its very own eSports League tournament called Gwent Challenger.
The competition will put four players against professional gamers in the digital CCG, which is in beta for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. They will compete for a prize pool of $100,000. You can sign up for the tournament here, Gwent Challenger will take place with the PC version of the game.
This is Gwent’s first step into the esports world, following in the footsteps of other digital card games such as Hearthstone. The total value of eSports revenue is estimated at $892.8 Million in 2016, with fans spending $231 Million on tickets, merchandise and prize pool contributions according to Super Data Research.
Hoping to capture some of that attention and drive ongoing support for the stand-alone card game, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game looks to push eSports hard during their Beta period. The eSports push across PC games is a major driver behind the record growth in PC gaming according to The Open Gaming Alliance (OGA).
“It’s a real privilege to observe how active GWENT players are in the realm of competitive gaming. Community-powered tournaments like The Passiflora Championship, The Seven Cats Brawl or The Gwentlemen’s Open are a source of inspiration for the entire team, and we definitely want this part of GWENT to grow,” said Paweł Burza, Community Manager, CD PROJEKT RED.
The four pros in the tournament come from other established games such as Hearthstone and DOTA 2:
Trump (Jeffrey Shih)
Lifecoach (Adrian Koy)
Noxious (Kacem Khilaji)
Ppd (Peter Dager)
“GWENT: The Witcher Card Game was created because The Witcher community wanted it. Now we’re seeing more and more gamers wanting to play GWENT competitively, so here we are with a chance to play against some heavy-hitters, and a prize pool to spice things up,” said Marcin Iwiński, Co-founder, CD PROJEKT RED. “I can’t wait to see who wins!” Iwiński adds.
Gwent started life as a minigame inside The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, an open-world role-playing game that CD Projekt Red in 2015. Now, the digital card game is becoming a standalone, free-to-play title.
Registrations for GWENT Challenger Qualifiers are now open and you can find them on the official website.
I’ve never been a gambling man. I don’t like casinos. I leave the horse races to those far better dressed than me. And I generally don’t eat lukewarm sushi.
Yet in a controversial move, I sold my PS4 a month or so ago and last week, purchased myself a shiny new Nintendo Switch. When I told my friends this they showed a mix of emotions ranging from aghast to amused.
One particular friend was plain pissed off as she was planning on stealing my PS4 to play Horizon Zero Dawn, which admittedly looks amazing. They asked questions like;
“Why would you sell your PS4 for a system that’s not even out yet?” and “What if it’s rubbish?” as well as “How am I going to play Zero Dawn now?!”
Here was my reasoning which I very patiently imparted on them:
9 Clear Reasons Why You Should Buy a Nintendo Switch
This is a gaming revolution, combining a console and portable device in seamless beauty.
I’m a new Dad and haven’t had access to the TV to play my PS4 in nine months.
I travel quite a bit for work and that’s what the Switch is designed for.
Most PS4 (and Xbox, yuk) games can be played on my PC.
Nintendo develop a bunch of kid friendly games that I’m currently raising a human for.
Nintendo are the only company that still supports couch multiplayer.
I haven’t owned a Nintendo system since the N64 and I miss Mario.
Sometimes you gotta go full Fanboi and ride the wave of excitement/betrayal.
I often find myself at parties with beautiful people who only invited me to play 1-2-Switch!
Are You a Nintendo Fan?
So far my experiences with the Switch have 93% confirmed my Fanboi dedication. But to fully embrace the Switch you have to understand what the system is, and what it isn’t.
The Nintendo Switch is an amazing new piece of gaming hardware that blends the home console with a portable gaming device. It is the perfect console for a young family that is both time poor and looking for games that don’t involve endless slaughter. It is the best way to access Nintendo’s IP which easily eclipses any other consoles exclusive offerings. It is so very much better than the WiiU.
The Switch isn’t a traditional AAA title playing media centre. It doesn’t have the best graphics or the most power. Nor should it!
The whole device is barely bigger than your smart phone.
Let’s be practical here people.
It doesn’t have access to all of the latest and greatest AAA titles. If you’re a real gamer you’re playing these on a PC anyway.
It doesn’t have a broad range of release titles.
Nor did the PS4. Play Zelda ‘Breath of the Wild’ and be happy until Mario Odyssey comes out in December.
It doesn’t have a media centre with Netflix.
What is this? 2010? Do you not have a Smart TV? All of your complaints are void and you should feel bad.
As more titles get released this piece of hardware will have its epic potential unlocked. But this potential won’t be reached unless the system is supported by the consumers and the developers.
But I hear you cry, “I already have a Wii U and a 3DS! What do I need a Switch for?” Well. You probably don’t. At least not for now. But really? You bought a Wii U? How embarrassing.
In 12 months you’ll come begging and Switch will be ready to embrace you with hopefully less expensive arms. The immense feeling of smugness and self satisfaction I get from snapping the Joy-Cons onto the Switch and lifting it out of its dock makes the purchase worthwhile, and will never get old. NEVER!
Imagine this scenario. It’s 7pm. The wife is staring off into a haze of exhaustion. The kid is playing on the floor and enjoying some Wiggles in order to avoid a melt down. You want to get some gaming in but can’t face the glares of judgement as you abandon your family.
BOOM! Switch!
You grab the Switch out of its dock. Flick out the kickstand (oh yeah, this bit is flimsy as) and rest it on your legs. You and the wife each grab a Joy-Con and play a few rounds of Snipperclips. The woman who apparently “doesn’t like games” has a blast, the child isn’t neglected and your boredom is averted. Everyone wins!
This is but one of the many new gaming possibilities the Switch unlocks. Welcome to a new world people.
Take your Switch over to a friends house and play Breath of the Wild at the same time.
I only really have a couple of meagre complaints about the Switch. Both of which revolve around the controller. Firstly it’s not the most comfortable thing in the world. It’s funky. It’s innovative and I love what it does. But it’s square. Secondly the Joy-Cons very rarely jank up and become unresponsive. Restarting the system (which takes 5 seconds I might add!) solves this second problem. Both issues are solved by buying a Pro Controller which I think I will eventually have to do.
If you’re thinking about making the Switch (I’m only human!), ensure you’re doing it for the right reasons and you will find endless fun in this innovative system.
The latest Zelda title, Breath of the Wild, has received widespread acclaim. Anyone who has seen any of its gameplay will know that it’s well-deserved. It’s a formative title that changes the series’ landscape and modernises the RPG’s structure for a new console. For all the success of the game’s core mechanics, these are not what makes Breath of the Wild amazing.
Breath of the Wild borrows tropes from all console Zelda titles. It is the embodiment of Nintendo’s marketing claims that the Switch includes parts of every other console. Some of these includes, such as those from Wind Waker, determine the design of the world. For example, the inclusion of the Rito and Korok.
Other games, however, contribute something less tangible. Majora’s Mask gives Breath of the Wild the greatest gift: it informs the narrative and tone.
Vah Naboris is a physical reminder for the Gerudo of Ganon’s victory.
If there is one element that needs applauding in the game it’s the Champions. The Champions are four warriors from each major race in Hyrule: the Zora, Gorons, Rito, and Gerudo.
Their role in the war was to pilot Divine Beasts – mechanical animals empowered to defeat Ganon. More so than Zelda, these Champions tie the game’s timeline together and engage the player at an emotional level.
Everyone Faces the Same Problem
For other console Zelda titles, the different tribes all face challenges that Link resolves by clearing a dungeon. Although they live in the same land, each tribe faces a unique challenge.
In Ocarina of Time, the Zora are troubled by Jabu Jabu’s unusual behaviour. The Gorons to the east are imprisoned by Volvagia in the Fire Temple. Even closer in proximity, the Kokiri are overrun by monsters from the Forest Temple. Sure, Ganondorf’s evil binds them together but these are very distinct problems.
The same is true for Majora’s Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. Although in Majora’s Mask one could argue everyone is worried about the moon I’m taking the poisoned swamp or the perpetual winter as the primary issues.
Consider Breath of the Wild. Calamity Ganon and has impending return is everyone’s focus. The disruptions caused by the corrupted Divine Beasts (such as Vah Naboris’ sandstorms and Vah Ruta’s rain) are secondary.
The Zora king asks us to stop the rainfall, of course, but he understands that we need the Divine Beast more than we need the rainfall stopped. Each tribe is in tune with Link’s ultimate quest: defeating Ganon.
We See How Hyrule Has Evolved
The events of Breath of the Wild take place across 100 years. Various characters describe Link and Zelda’s defeat at the hands of Ganon 100 years ago and try to make sense of Link’s resurrection. Because the game takes place over such a long period of time, we can see how the events of the past are impacting the Hyrule of the present.
Prince Sidon seems brash at first but we see the impact of his sister’s death as time goes on.
For example, the Zora’s loss of Mipha, their Champion, hangs in the air of Zora’s Domain. It builds distrust of Hylians among a section of the population. The king speaks with an air of sorrow masked by duty. The prince needs to prove himself to fill his sister’s place as his people’s defender. For the Rito, their warriors are prideful and determined. They reject outsider help to face the imposing Vah Medoh. There is a sentiment that they must train to honour their Champion, Revali.
Like we’ve seen before, the races tend to stay away from one another. We venture into the desert to see the Gerudo and the ridgelands to see the Rito. Sure there’s the odd Goron trader wandering about but, by and large, they stand apart. This is pretty ordinary for other Zelda games but Breath of the Wild changes one important piece. Each species is acutely aware of the happenings in greater Hyrule.
This awareness shows us that these tribes inhabit the same world. No longer do we pass through a loading screen to what could be a parallel universe. We know, because Impa tells us, that the five big societies in Hyrule cooperated 100 years ago. There was some degree of togetherness.
Combining this knowledge with their continued awareness of what’s going on outside their walls, we can easily see Ganon’s impact. His victory splintered the factions of Hyrule. It sewed discord among the ranks and split them up.
The Champions
The four Champions are the focal point of these narrative changes. They are among the few characters with voiced lines. Each of them is a fully realised character. Memories that players find throughout their adventures detail the relationship between the four Champions, Link, and Zelda. Two of them in particular change the scope of Breath of the Wild’s narrative. They are the Zora Champion Mipha and the Gerudo Champion Urbosa.
Link’s amnesia allows the blossoming romance to become a factor – even 100 years on.
Breath of the Wild achieves what Skyward Sword wanted to do. We fight Ganon because it’s the objective of the game. Urbosa and Mipha give us a reason to fight; they give us something worth fighting for.
Their presentation is the game is emotional and evocative. It’s poignant unlike other broad stroke attempts at emotional relevant (see: Saria in Ocarina). The voice acting is supremely well done. It’s touching. It gives the player a reason to care about characters outside of the big three.
The Champions and their relationship to the Ganon Blights transform the game’s defining narrative. It’s not a story about good vs. evil but a story about redemption. Especially for Urbosa, there are feelings of failure. As Champions, they should’ve been strong enough to stop the Great Calamity.
Link’s arrival signals a chance for them to atone for that failure. Setting the Champions free from the Ganon Blights lets them engage Ganon once more and complete their mission. It’s not their deaths that matter so much as what they need to achieve.
Nothing symbolises this point as much as their speeches atop the Divine Beasts in the cut-scene following the bosses.
Breath of the Wild gets a lot right. Indeed this shift in core narrative is one of the most remarkable shifts for the series. For the next Zelda, open world or not, this is one trend I hope continues.
