Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild Four Shrines

So, you've heard about Breath of the Wild, right? That sprawling, gorgeous game where you wake up as Link, looking like you just rolled out of bed after a hundred-year nap.

Well, the first thing the game wants you to do after that rude awakening is tackle four shrines. These aren’t just any old dungeons; they're like mini-puzzle boxes designed to teach you the ropes, or should I say, the runes.

The Great Plateau Pilgrimage

These first four shrines sit on the Great Plateau. Think of it as Breath of the Wild's training ground. It's where you learn to cook, fight, and generally survive without accidentally setting yourself on fire.

It’s a great starting point, but also quite funny in hindsight. Remember thinking those Bokoblins were tough? Ah, sweet summer child. You were so innocent then!

Oman Au Shrine: Magnesis Trial

First up is the Oman Au Shrine, and it's all about Magnesis. You get this cool power that lets you lift and move metal objects. Suddenly, treasure chests become your playthings and unsuspecting enemies get a metallic surprise!

I spent way too long trying to brute-force my way through this one at first. It turns out, smashing metal crates together is fun, but not always the solution.

Ja Baij Shrine: Bomb Trial

Next, we have the Ja Baij Shrine, the land of explosives! This is where you get your hands on bombs. Round ones, square ones – the possibilities are endless!

I definitely accidentally blew myself up a few times in here. But hey, that's part of the fun, right? Watching Link ragdoll across the room never gets old. Almost.

To Kumo Shrine: Stasis Trial

The To Kumo Shrine introduces you to Stasis, which is basically like hitting the pause button on objects. It lets you freeze things in time and then whack them really hard to send them flying.

This shrine is all about timing and aiming. I remember one player who managed to launch a boulder so perfectly, it took out a whole group of enemies outside the shrine. Legend.

Owa Daim Shrine: Cryonis Trial

Finally, we have the Owa Daim Shrine, where you get Cryonis. This allows you to create ice pillars out of water.

Suddenly, crossing ponds and reaching high places becomes a breeze, quite literally. I loved using this to create impromptu bridges and just generally be a water-bending wizard.

The Old Man's Guidance

Throughout this whole shrine adventure, you're getting cryptic advice from a mysterious Old Man. He's clearly hiding something, but he does teach you how to cook an apple, which is invaluable information.

It is revealed the Old Man is the King of Hyrule! Talk about a plot twist. Now you see why he knew so much about the place.

Leaving the Plateau

Once you've conquered all four shrines, you get the Paraglider. This is your ticket off the Great Plateau and into the vast world of Hyrule.

It’s a real moment. Stepping off the edge and soaring into the unknown, the music swelling… it’s gaming magic. Even if you promptly crash into a tree. We've all been there.

The four shrines on the Great Plateau are more than just tutorials. They are a masterclass in game design, weaving together exploration, problem-solving, and a healthy dose of silliness. Now get out there and explore Hyrule! Just try not to blow yourself up too many times.