'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' release date latest news: Nintendo to release game in 2017

Since it was first announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation in 2013, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" has been delayed for release twice. But after Nintendo's Treehouse live presentation of the game at the 2016 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) back in June, the targeted 2017 release may finally see the much awaited installment.

Both delays have been due to Nintendo's aim to revolutionize the features of the next "Zelda" game in a way that separates it from the traditional mold of its predecessors. When it was previewed at this year's E3, fans of the franchise were mostly impressed.

According to a hands-on preview by Capsule Computers, one of the significant changes in the "Breath of the Wild" will be its more genuinely expansive open world setting. While past "Zelda" games featured an open world, "Breath of the Wild" offers a more immersive experience within the previously empty areas separating the cities, towns and shrines in the game.

In 20 minutes of gameplay, a player will be able to freely explore enemy-ridden forests and ruined temples.

One can also access a power known as the Magnesis to interact deeper with the elements of the game. The Magnesis will allow the player to manipulate metal objects and change image filters to reveal hidden objects like treasure chests resting at the bottom of ponds. The image filtering also helps finding objects that can aid in puzzle solving much easier.

Here is the official trailer presented by Nintendo at E3.

The Cheat Sheet cited the game developers' claim that the area that was previewed at E3 was a mere 1 percent of the entire open world featured in the game.

It will also allow non-linear gameplay in which a player can pass up on all the challenges scattered throughout the game and go directly to the final boss. This also means that the 100 Shrines of Trials that are a staple of the game can now be explored and solved in any order, according to the product page on the official Nintendo site.

"Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" was the only playable game that was presented by Nintendo at E3, Gamespot reported. The title will be released in 2017 for both the Wii U and the upcoming Nintendo NX consoles. It will be the 19th main installment in one of Nintendo's most popular franchises.