The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdombrings back a majority of elements fans have come to be familiar with in the Zelda series, such as certain items and the return of Temples. However, despite all of the new and returning features that the game offers, it also removes a few tropes that you might expect to see.
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Most are related to the story and how it differs from expectations, but you may not even have noticed the steps taken in a different direction. These are the parts of the game that have changed what we know about the series, and generally all for the better.
Warning: There will be major spoilers for Tears of the Kingdom.
5The Sword That Seals The Darkness Can Usually Seal The Darkness
The first big difference from the series standard comes in the opening moments of the game. After Link and Zelda delve into the ruins beneath Hyrule Castle, they come across the corpse of Ganondorf, who promptly reawakens. Unleashing the power of his Gloom, Ganondorf destroys Link’s arm, and then - it shatters theMaster Swordinto pieces.
Suddenly, this Sword that Seals the Darkness that we’ve come to rely on in the series, the sword that’s supposed to be able to defeat evil,has been broken so easily. What now? What could possibly destroy the Demon King? A lot of hope is lost, and a lot of tradition when it comes to what we know. Could this be the most powerful incarnation of Ganondorf? It definitely instills some dread into the moment.
4People Normally Have Doubts About Link’s Capability
Usually, as we start up a Zelda game and set off on a new adventure to save Hyrule from some kind of impending doom, one thing is for certain: people often don’t believe that Link is able to do it. Whether it be because he’s a child, because he wears a silly outfit, or both. Even in Breath of the Wild, the whole kingdom had lost hope after Link and the Champions fell, and Zelda had disappeared. 100 years on, he had become a legend - but a failed one at that.
In Tears of the Kingdom, however, everyone knows Link is the one who can do it. They watched him defeat Ganon and save the princess once in recent years, and with a new threat rising and the princess missing once more, they look to him.Purah gives him his mission, knowing he can do it. Even Zelda assures Rauru and the other Sages that the swordsman named Link will one day put an end to the Demon King, and everyone believes it. How supportive.
3More Often Than Not, Link Fights Alone
Throughout the series, Link is usually the Hero of Hyrule -theHero. This generally means that he’ll be entirely alone while attempting to sort things out once again. Grab your green cap, the Master Sword, and perhaps an annoyingFairyor two, because no one else is going to save you.
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Sure, there have been times when he has a little assistance, and plenty of Sages have lent their powers to him on these great quests, but staring Ganondorf in the face is usually a one-on-one scenario. In Tears of the Kingdom, however, each of the new Sages will assist him in combat, even fighting directly alongside him in the world… kind of. The spirit versions at least. But they offer their help in the final confrontation, and this is more than Link can usually expect.
2Recurring Focus On Instruments
Another repeating feature we have come to appreciate in the Zelda games is the implementation of instruments. The Ocarina, the Spirit Flute, the Wind Waker - even howling away in Twilight Princess, there has often been a mechanic where a little tune will play a part in the bigger picture. Not in Tears of the Kingdom, however. Not quite.
Even in Breath of the Wild, we had Kass - the Rito with an accordion that you could often find at Stables. He would play a familiar tune, and bestow upon Link some insight as to the history of the Calamity. And then Kass plays an even bigger part in the Champions' Ballad DLC, diving further into the stories of these heroes. Sure, we do have the Stable Trotters that you can reunite to awaken the Great Fairies, but it’s not quite to the same level of significance.Maybe Kass will return with a song once more in the DLC.
1A Princess In Peril (Spoilers)
While not true for every Zelda game in the series, the generally recurring plot is the premise of the old-school goal - save the princess from danger, save the day. Hooray.
A few of the games have pushed this aside so that Zelda has a slightly different role, such as Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword, but Tears of the Kingdom takes it to a whole new level. While it does seem like the princess needs saving from the get-go, it turns out she’s doing pretty alright for herself. In fact, she’s the Sage of Time and works with the other Sages in their efforts to prevent the rise of the Demon King.
Even though this was always destined to fail, she then goes on to do an unimaginable act to restore the Master Sword - we’ll avoid the actual details in case you haven’t quite reached these points, but it’s an awesome scene, to say the least. Then, like other games, she also assists in the final battle, lending her power. Only this time, her power and just how it all plays out is grander than ever before.
Needless to say, Zelda is quite capable. She leans on the skills of Link, but isn’t entirely helpless without him rescuing her.
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