Table of Contents
- What is This Insane Run?
- The Blindfolded Great Plateau Challenge
- Commentary: Your Guide to the Chaos
- Context: A World Record That Was!
- Unpacking the Strats: How to Navigate Blind
- RNG and Flawless Execution
- Why Attempt a Blindfolded Run?
- More from Bubzia: Supporting the Runner
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is This Insane Run?
This post dives into a remarkable *Breath of the Wild* speedrun, specifically focusing on the Great Plateau. The kicker? The runner, Bubzia, completes this entire segment *blindfolded*, all while providing insightful commentary. It’s a testament to extreme practice, memorization, and nerves of steel. We're talking about navigating the game's initial area, a place most players take hours to explore, in a fraction of the time, without the benefit of sight. This is hardcore gaming at its finest, pushing the boundaries of what's thought possible.The Blindfolded Great Plateau Challenge
The Great Plateau in *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* serves as the game's tutorial area. It's designed to familiarize players with the core mechanics: climbing, gliding, combat, cooking, and shrine puzzles. Completing it efficiently in a standard speedrun requires precise movement and knowledge of the quickest routes. However, adding a blindfold transforms this familiar territory into an entirely new, terrifying challenge. Every step, every jump, every interaction with an object becomes a gamble. The runner must rely solely on auditory cues, muscle memory, and an almost supernatural understanding of the game's layout. This isn't about reacting to what's on screen; it's about executing a pre-programmed sequence of actions with absolute precision, trusting that the virtual world will align perfectly with the runner's mental map.Commentary: Your Guide to the Chaos
One of the most impressive aspects of this run is Bubzia's commentary. Throughout the nearly 38 minutes of gameplay, the runner explains the strategy, points out potential pitfalls, and offers insights that even seasoned players might find useful. This commentary serves a dual purpose: it helps viewers follow along with the complex maneuvers and provides a window into the runner's thought process."For a blindfolded run, clear and concise commentary is absolutely vital. It bridges the gap between the player's internal execution and the viewer's understanding. You're not just watching someone play; you're learning *how* they play without seeing."This detailed explanation is invaluable for anyone interested in learning similar techniques or simply appreciating the sheer dedication involved. It transforms a potentially confusing spectacle into an educational experience.
Context: A World Record That Was!
As of June 21, 2022, Bubzia's 37:51 time for the Great Plateau blindfolded category was a world record. While records are constantly being challenged and broken (as noted, @CrystalSaver has since surpassed it), holding that title, especially for such a unique category, is a monumental achievement. It speaks volumes about the runner's dedication and skill. It's important to remember that the speedrunning community is incredibly dynamic. Records fall, new strats are discovered, and the top times are always being pushed. This specific record highlights a peak moment for this particular challenge. You can find the uncommentated version of the run for a pure, unadulterated speedrun experience if that's your preference.Unpacking the Strats: How to Navigate Blind
The core of any successful speedrun lies in its strategy, or "strats." For a blindfolded run, these strats are elevated to an entirely new level of complexity. Every movement is meticulously planned: * **Pathing**: The exact route through the environment, memorized to the meter. This includes knowing when to run, when to jump, and precisely where to aim those jumps. * **Object Interaction**: Timing the button presses to pick up items, open chests, or activate terminals. Missing the timing means potentially losing precious seconds or, worse, getting stuck. * **Menuing**: Even navigating the game's menus, like equipping items or checking the map (though the latter is obviously impossible in a blind run!), needs to be mentally rehearsed. * **Environmental Cues**: Relying on sound effects – the clang of a sword hitting a Bokoblin, the rustle of grass, the chime of a shrine activating – becomes paramount."In a blindfolded run, your brain becomes the UI. You're constantly calculating distances and angles based on audio cues and the feel of Link's movement. It's like performing surgery with a blindfold on – requires immense precision and trust in your preparation."The Great Plateau offers specific challenges, like precise jumps to reach ledges, navigating the updrafts for the paraglider, and correctly activating the four Shrines of Resurrection. Each of these requires perfect execution without visual confirmation.
RNG and Flawless Execution
While meticulous planning is key, speedrunning inherently involves an element of Random Number Generation (RNG). In *Breath of the Wild*, this can affect enemy spawns, item drops, and even the weather. For a blindfolded run, managing RNG is even more critical. A slightly unfavorable enemy placement could force a deviation from the planned route, leading to a time loss that's hard to recover from when you can't see what's coming. The runner must have contingency plans for common RNG variations. More importantly, the execution of the known strat must be near-flawless. There's little room for error when you can't see a mistake happening and correct it visually. This run exemplifies that level of precision, showcasing what’s achievable with thousands of hours of practice and dedication.Why Attempt a Blindfolded Run?
The motivation behind such a demanding challenge is multifaceted. For many speedrunners, it's about: * **Pushing Limits**: Testing the absolute boundaries of human skill and game knowledge. * **Mastery**: Achieving a profound level of mastery over a game, to the point where it's internalized. * **Community Innovation**: Pushing the boundaries of what's considered possible within the speedrunning community and inspiring others. * **Unique Content**: Creating compelling and unique content that stands out in a crowded field. This type of run isn't just about beating the game; it's about redefining how the game can be played and experienced. It's a challenge that demands respect and admiration from fellow gamers. If you're interested in other unique challenges, check out our posts on #speedrun techniques.More from Bubzia: Supporting the Runner
Bubzia's incredible blindfolded run is just one piece of their content. If you enjoyed this display of skill and want to see more, consider supporting them directly! They've shared links to their social media and Patreon, which are crucial for content creators. * **YouTube**: For more videos and runs. * **Twitch**: For live streams and interacting with the creator. * **Twitter**: For updates and community engagement. * **Patreon**: For direct support and exclusive content. * **Discord**: To join the community and connect with other fans. Supporting creators like Bubzia helps fuel the creation of more amazing content and allows them to dedicate more time to perfecting these incredible feats. It's a win-win for the community and the content itself. For those interested in supporting hardcore gaming, check out our #POG content.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the specific category for this Breath of the Wild speedrun?
This run focuses on the "Great Plateau" category, meaning the speedrun ends once the player exits the Great Plateau area, immediately after activating the Stasis rune in the final Shrine.
How long did it take to develop the strategy for this blindfolded run?
Developing a precise strategy for a blindfolded speedrun often takes hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of practice. It involves memorizing every detail of the map, enemy placements, and optimal movement sequences.
Is the blindfolded run easier or harder than a standard speedrun?
Significantly harder. While a standard speedrun requires precision and optimization, a blindfolded run removes the ability to visually react to the game, relying almost entirely on memory and audio cues, making it exponentially more difficult.
Where can I watch the full run?
You can find the video linked within the post, typically embedded or linked via the