The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review

Gameplay

Tears of the Kingdom retains the open-world action-adventure gameplay that made Breath of the Wild so popular. Players control the hero, Link, as he embarks on a quest to save Hyrule from the malevolent Ganondorf. 

The game introduces two new areas, the Sky Islands and the Depths, expanding the exploration possibilities in Hyrule. Players can traverse the land on foot, climb various structures, ride horses, and use paragliders to glide through the skies.

One notable addition to Tears of the Kingdom is the introduction of Zonai devices. These devices offer new combat mechanics, propulsion systems, and exploration tools. The game replaces the runes from Breath of the Wild with five new powers: Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend, Recall, and Autobuild. Ultrahand enables players to manipulate objects, combine them, and even create vehicles or constructs. 

Fuse allows Link to enhance weapons and shields by combining materials or attaching certain objects. Ascend grants the ability to move upwards through solid surfaces, while Recall allows players to “rewind” an object’s movement. These new powers offer exciting possibilities for puzzle-solving and combat.

Tears of the Kingdom reintroduces the presence of Shrines and Korok Seeds in the game. Clearing Shrines rewards players with the Light of Blessing, which can be used to increase Link’s health or stamina. Collecting Korok Seeds enables Link to increase the capacity of his inventory, granting him the ability to carry a greater number of weapons, shields, and bows.

Within the Depths, which can be reached by descending into chasms scattered across the surface, a perilous challenge arises in the form of a viscous substance known as Gloom. Engaging with enemies enveloped in Gloom or suffering attacks from them causes Link’s maximum heart count to temporarily decrease.

He can only regain his full health by returning to the Surface or finding Lightroots, large light-emitting plants found in the Depths.

Plot

The game’s story takes place several years after Link’s triumph over Calamity Ganon in Breath of the Wild. As Hyrule begins its reconstruction, an unknown substance causing illness emerges from beneath Hyrule Castle. Link and Princess Zelda explore a cavern beneath the castle, where they stumble upon Zonai ruins and witness the awakening of a mummified Ganondorf. Ganondorf’s powers corrupt Link’s right arm, shattering the Master Sword, and causing Hyrule Castle to float into the sky. Link falls below, while Zelda disappears with a mysterious artifact.

Link awakens on the newly appeared Sky Islands, where he encounters the spirit of Rauru, a Zonai, who gifts him a replacement arm. 

With the shattered Master Sword in hand, Link sets out to investigate the “Upheaval” that has thrown Hyrule into chaos. Along the way, he defeats four monsters occupying ancient Zonai temples, with the help of four allies from different tribes: Tulin of the Rito, Sidon of the Zora, Riju of the Gerudo, and Yunobo of the Gorons. Each victory grants Link a Secret Stone, increasing his power.

Through ancient sages, Mineru, and dragon tears scattered throughout Hyrule, Link learns of Zelda’s whereabouts and the connection between the Tears of the Kingdom and the revival of Ganondorf. The Tears of the Kingdom are ancient artifacts said to hold immense power and were used by the Zonai to seal away Ganondorf centuries ago. It becomes clear that Ganondorf seeks to reclaim his power and unleash chaos upon Hyrule once again.

As Link explores the vast lands of Hyrule, he must solve intricate puzzles, battle formidable enemies, and navigate treacherous environments. The game’s main quest revolves around locating the remaining Zonai artifacts, hidden in temples scattered across Hyrule. These artifacts, when combined with the Tears of the Kingdom, have the potential to either seal Ganondorf away forever or unleash his full power.

Throughout Link’s journey, he encounters familiar faces from previous games, including recurring characters such as Impa and Beedle. Their guidance and assistance prove invaluable in his quest to rescue Zelda, reunite the Triforce, and restore peace to Hyrule.

Development

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been in development since the release of Breath of the Wild. Nintendo’s development team, led by series producer Eiji Aonuma, has focused on expanding the original game’s concepts while maintaining its core gameplay mechanics.

The introduction of the Sky Islands and the Depths brings a fresh twist to the exploration aspect of the game. The team aimed to create diverse and visually stunning environments that would offer unique challenges and surprises to players. The addition of the Zonai devices introduces new gameplay mechanics, providing players with more options for puzzle-solving and combat encounters.

The development team also placed significant emphasis on the game’s narrative, aiming to deliver a captivating story that builds upon the events of Breath of the Wild. They aimed to deepen the lore of the series while maintaining the sense of wonder and discovery that players loved in the previous installment.