The Plot
Nintendo has been tight-lipped about the plot of Tears of the Kingdom, but we do know that it is an “epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule.”
Players will harness the power of Link’s new abilities to fight back against malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom.
Visually, the game is darker than Breath of the Wild, with dark dungeons and malice forcing its way into the world.
However, the game also features bright and light moments, with Link gliding between airborne islands.
The balance between these two elements will be interesting to see.
The Gameplay
Although there hasn’t been much extended gameplay footage, it’s clear that Link in the upcoming game possesses a range of new weapons, including swords, shields, bows, and axes.
These weapons enable players to combat both new and old foes.
Additionally, Link’s arm appears to be a powerful and glowing green, which seems to offer abilities that help players solve puzzles, manipulate time and the environment, and perform other special actions similar to Breath of the Wild’s Sheikah Slate and Runes.
Fans have been speculating about the arm’s purpose, and everyone is eagerly anticipating its role in the game’s mechanics.
As in the previous game, Link will still journey through Hyrule on horseback and via paraglider, but the game expands Hyrule into the skies above the land.
In the first trailer, Hyrule Castle rose from the ground, while in the second trailer, towers crumbled as malice sent the castle skyward.
Nintendo has provided multiple glimpses of the altered world, which shows the expanse of Hyrule disbanded into numerous levels. How Link will navigate this new terrain is unknown at present.
Getting Around
Link journeyed through Hyrule by paraglider and horseback in Breath of the Wild, but in Tears of the Kingdom, he has some upgraded rides.
The third trailer showcased Link using a land vehicle that resembled an open-air car, a hovercraft that looked like a huge drone, and a hot air balloon.
These various modes of transportation suggest that Tears of the Kingdom’s map may be even bigger than Breath of the Wild’s map, and the air vehicles may be necessary to access the floating pieces of Hyrule.
As for weapon durability and degradation, Nintendo has not given any hints aside from the messed-up Master Sword.
Lastly, according to Nintendo’s listing, Tears of the Kingdom’s file size will be 18.2 GB, which is one of the biggest games that Nintendo itself has released for the Switch.
So, make sure you have enough storage or grab a microSD card if you need one.
Release
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be released on May 12, 2023, and will be available for $69.99.
The first-party Nintendo Switch game will be the first to carry a higher-than-normal price tag.
However, a $129.99 collector’s edition will also be available on that day, including a physical copy of Tears of the Kingdom, an art book, SteelBook case, an Iconart steel poster, and four pins.
Nintendo will also release a new amiibo figure of Link as he appears in Tears of the Kingdom, and fans can already pre-order it.
The amiibo will unlock cool in-game extras when used with the game. Scanning certain Zelda amiibo will also change the design of the glider.
Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to the Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild was released for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U consoles in March 2017.
The game was set in a vast open world and followed the story of Link, who awakens from a century-long slumber to defeat Calamity Ganon and save the land of Hyrule.
One of the most notable features of Breath of the Wild was its open-world design, which allowed players to explore a vast and diverse landscape filled with wildlife, monsters, and hidden secrets.
The game also introduced a new gameplay mechanic in the form of a “Sheikah Slate,” which allowed Link to access various abilities and skills, including the ability to create ice blocks, manipulate metal objects, and create bombs.
The game received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with many praising its open-world design, innovative gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals. It won numerous awards, including the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2017.
Breath of the Wild was also notable for its nonlinear story, which allowed players to progress through the game at their own pace and in any order they chose.
The game’s main storyline could be completed relatively quickly, but players could spend countless hours exploring the game’s vast world and completing side quests and other activities.
Overall, Breath of the Wild was a groundbreaking game that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in an open-world adventure game.
Its innovative gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and nonlinear story made it a standout title in the Zelda franchise and one of the best games of 2017.
The success of BoTW sets high expectations for its direct sequel and the Zelda fans are eager to get their hands on the new title.
