Its really fascinating how this game is so similar to its predecessor yet feels so different, not just DLC but a full sequel that actually innovates on the originals ideas. Gone are all the main powers replaced withe more versatile ones that allow further game breaking and exploration. Aonuma hands us a toolbox and says more or less figure it out and we have figured out everything from toboggans to gundam mechs. Of course the physics vehicle building is just 1 aspect of Tears, but could be a whole game within itself. The accused simple G-mod beta has smart snapping, weight, and satisfying array of tools - which begs a broader question why no one has tried something on this scale before? In any case I'll get my only gripe out of the way which is, like Breathe before it, the story is fairly skeletal. Ganon is BACK go get sages etc, that said it focuses more on an interesting origin story that doesn't override Skyward. Speaking of I've never seen so much fan service in such a quality game, there are certain armour sets and weapons that shocked me every time. I didn't really love Breath but I did this one because I think of the different areas dictate player choice - the overworld caters to open world quest & find play, the sky is linear puzzle solving, and the depths is combat survival focused. Being able to choose the area of play style goes a long way, also I think it was good to make most shrines reward points rather than more puzzles as it slows the flow. I found myself constantly thinking about a grocery list of to-dos from weapon modding, questing, zonai experimenting, resource gathering, dyeing, and more. It was a constant rush of objectives and points of interesting, interaction, and progress. Perhaps another small gripe is that after chasing every star fragment I still only had half as many as needed by the end of the game for leveling. Its impressive how much the game scales with character abilities, zonai devices, weapons and more that make it feel like conquering a real living world - even if side quests feel a but grindy. When its all said Nintendo has innovated massively in the open world genre and their fruits are on full display here that actually push the medium forward. My game of the year.