I bought BotW together with a used but relatively new Switch about three months after launch. I just finished BotW today after having purchased Totk a couple of days ago with “more than 255h” on the clock as my switch tells me. Though you can subtract 80 for the first attempt after wich i paused and restarted. So i had an on/off relationship with BotW for six years and only the release of it’s sequel finally pushed me to finish it. It took me so long not because i didn’t like it. On the contrary as my playtime counter gives away. But just because it’s so goddamn big. When totk came out i bought it and thought “well lemme just quickly finish botw so i can get to totk” before spending another 30ish hours in that game. I know i’d feel empty now if it wasn’t for totk allowing me to basically jump into “botw 2” immediatly. I think it’‘s telling that after so much time spent in this world i still can’'t wait to jump into totk right after killing ganon. Excitied to see what they did to this world that i know in and out in 6 years of development time.

Breath of the Wild was the better first-time experience. Discovering Hyrule and the intricate world they created was awe inspiring playing it on launch 6 years ago. With Tears of the Kingdom there wasn’t as many surprises (apart from the first few hours in the depths). Having said that, I’m more likely to replay Tears of the Kingdom just because of how much more it gives the player to do and to work with. It’s an evolution and improvement on BotW in almost every other way, from mechanics, to dungeons, to story.

Honnestly I just bought myself a Switch and I’m just amazed by BotW and am really enjoying it however I do feel like some of the story telling aspect is lacking & I was told that TotK does not disappoint in that department and now I am also even more looking forward to TotK, urgh I love The Legend of Zelda sooo muuuch

I like both games for what they are. Though I have already forgotten how TotK began, I still remember the moment when I left the shrine of resurrection in BotW. That open world (moment) was incredible. TotK on the other side has a bit more of the original Zelda charme regarding dungeons and the like and I really do love the temples. I am not so keen for the crafting part, but than I just don’t spend too much time on it.

How do you know your percentage progress with such precision?

Yes. They have different vibes. I admit going back into the old UI is hard.

I still love BOTW, and I will probably go back to replay it again at some point. It has a different feel to it, especially compared to the later game construction wackiness of ToTK.
Having finished both back to back, I think they both have their own place in my replay roster. Will just depend on what I’m feeling like at the time.

I like TOTK more than BOTW, but I might still return to BOTW sometimes - the ambience and atmosphere is very different. Playing TOTK is like playing in the world’s biggest, wildest sandbox, while playing BOTW is like a walk alone in a mountain forest at sunrise.

I think they compliment each other real well. 2 sides of a single coin, like you said, is a great way to put it.

BOTW was great exploring and discovering a broken land. TOTK is more like a rebuilding. Yeah there’s destruction and bad guys, but all of Hyrule feels alive and working with each other.

I do miss all those bombs and statising the enemies. I love the added caves to search in though.