The Legend of Zelda Wii U first gameplay footage

Nintendo debuted the first gameplay footage of the its open-world Legend of Zelda for Wii U during The Game Awards in Las Vegas.

The video opens with the sun setting in the game world.

“I wanted everyone to see how beautiful this scene is with the setting sun,” series director Eiji Aonuma said in the video.

Link proceeds to climb atop a high mountain.

“Since this is such a huge world, we’re making a number of high places that offer great views… This is a good place to look around from. And if you see, say, a suspicious-looking tower in the distance, you might decide to head there.”

From here, Link sets a travel marker, which appears on the world map, towards which he proceeds by jumping off the mountain and gliding to the ground.

Now on the ground, Link takes to his horse to get to his marked location. According to Aonuma, you’ll barely need to touch the control stick while riding your horse. It won’t run into trees on its own, as it’s pretty unnatural for a horse to do so. And while riding, players will have free control of the camera, as well as the ability to swing their sword and shoot arrows. There’s slow-motion vaulting and aiming, too.

“Are you sure this will be released next year?” Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto quizzed Aonuma.

“Yes. All of the staff members are working together and doing their best,” Aonuma replied.

Miyamoto also confirmed that the new Star Fox title for Wii U will launch next year.

Watch the footage below.