Filling the Gaps: 6 Missing Elements in the Rito Arc

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In Tears of the Kingdom, players must obtain the Snowquill Set, a collection of cold-resistant gear, in order to safely traverse the freezing temperatures of the Hebra Region. Acquiring this gear can be quite costly and may require players to diligently save their in-game currency or even backtrack to a previous location to make the purchase.

The game missed out on the chance to include references to beloved characters from the Zelda franchise, like Prince Komali, which would have delighted fans and enriched the game's lore.

A letdown in Tears of the Kingdom is the insufficient development of the Sages, specifically Teba's ancestor who is introduced but not given further exploration. This missed opportunity leaves players with unresolved queries and a longing for more backstory.

Tears of the Kingdom was undeniably one of the most successful games in the Zelda franchise, being the sequel to the acclaimed Breath of the Wild. With high expectations to meet, Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) received praise for reintroducing Ganondorf, implementing quality-of-life improvements, and introducing Link's new Abilities, particularly the Ultrahand. However, it fell short of pleasing everyone.

In contrast to Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom compels players to venture to Rito Village in the Hebra Region after conversing with Purah at Lookout Landing. While the Rito were originally featured in Wind Waker, the Rito in BotW/TotK differ significantly from their original counterparts. Serving as the initial "arc" of TotK, the Rito segment of the "Regional Phenomena" main quest is not overly challenging. Nevertheless, many players noticed several missing characters and areas where improvements could have been made to the Rito Arc.

6. Easier Access to Cold-Resistant Gear

Affordable Snowquill Armor

Similar to BotW, the weather in TotK can have an impact on Link if he is not appropriately equipped. To counteract this, players can consume a meal or elixir that provides heat or cold resistance, or they can utilize armor or weapons that are resistant to the weather conditions. If players choose to begin the "Tulin of Rito Village" quest as their first "Regional Phenomena" quest, they will require warm armor. As they approach the Wind Temple, the temperature will steadily decrease. Tulin even advises Link that he must find a way to keep himself warm in order to proceed. In this situation, level 2 cold resistance is necessary. Fortunately, players have access to the entire cold-resistant Snowquill Set in Rito Village. However, each piece of this armor set comes at a considerable cost. Furthermore, obtaining Rupees and ore in TotK can be quite challenging.

5. References to Previous Rito Characters

The Snowquill Tunic, priced at 500 Rupees, is the most affordable option from the Snowquill Set. While it is possible to gather enough funds by selling various items or meals to purchase the tunic, having access to cheaper armor would have been advantageous. As an alternative, it would have been helpful if TotK had hidden a Snowquill Armor piece inside a chest at a monster camp. This would have eliminated the need for players to save up or backtrack in order to acquire suitable equipment. With the combination of the Snowquill Tunic and the Archaic War Greaves (obtainable on the Great Sky Island), Link would have sufficient cold-resistance to freely roam the Wind Temple without sustaining any damage. Unfortunately, if players lack the necessary Rupees or items to sell, they will have to find an alternative approach to keep warm as they ascend higher into the frigid skies of Hebra.

Wind Waker's Medli or Prince Komali

If one takes the time to read the slabs around Zora's Domain, they will discover that Prince Sidon is actually a descendant of Ruto. Ruto is the same character who served as the Sage of Water in Ocarina of Time, making this connection a fascinating callback to previous Zelda games. While Hyrule is filled with easter eggs and references, this particular revelation is significant as it confirms the presence of Ruto in the TotK timeline. This mirrors a similar occurrence in Breath of the Wild where Urbosa mentions Nabooru.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD

The Legend of Zelda franchise, available on Wii U, was released on September 20, 2013 by Nintendo. It is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood and Fantasy Violence. While it is unlikely, it would have been interesting to include a mention of a significant Rito character from a previous Zelda installment. Vah Medoh directly references Medli, the Sage of Earth from Wind Waker, who was a companion to Link in that game. However, this should not discourage references to other Rito characters like Prince Komali or even Quill. Komali appears to resemble Teba and Tulin, although with more human-like characteristics. This similarity can also be observed among all the Rito on Dragon Roost Island who have white and gray feathers.

Even if Komali did not have direct lineage to Teba and Tulin, making a reference to him would definitely capture the attention and admiration of Wind Waker enthusiasts. This is particularly true considering that Rito Village's melody is a dulcified rendition of the renowned Dragon Roost Island theme.

4. The Rito Sage

Teba & Tulin's Ancestor

Tears of the Kingdom received criticism for the limited development of the nameless Sages during the Imprisoning War. They are only briefly shown in flashbacks when Link clears a temple, and they communicate with the present-day Sage through telepathy. What's more, the cutscenes where the present-day Sages learn about the war are reused with slight changes to fit the appropriate characters.

Tulin, who is related to Teba, bears a resemblance to him in terms of appearance. However, aside from being from the same bloodline, there is little else known about Tulin. In Breath of the Wild, Teba stands out as a unique character since he is not directly descended from or related to the original Champions. To give more depth to Teba's character, it would have been beneficial to explore the Wind Sage through flashbacks. Instead, players only catch a glimpse of his role as a powerful warrior chosen by Rauru to fight against Ganondorf alongside the other Sages. The Sages hold an air of mystery, and unless there is additional downloadable content, it is unlikely that more information will be revealed about the original Sage of Wind.

3. Champion Revali

Pilot of Divine Beast Vah Medoh

Mipha, Urbosa, Revali, and Daruk served as the valiant Champions who operated the Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild. Despite their demise a century ago, they earned great acclaim in their homelands for their exceptional skills. As time passed and the realm recovered from the Calamity, it was natural for the memory of these revered Champions to fade away. Interestingly, while Mipha, Urbosa, and Daruk are mentioned by various characters, one specific Champion remains unnoticed and unacknowledged.

The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild

Franchise The Legend of ZeldaPlatform(s) Wii U, SwitchReleased March 3, 2017Publisher(s) NintendoMetascore 97

Revali, one of the Champions, is often considered the most arrogant and doubtful of Link's abilities. Despite this, it's impossible to deny that Revali was a diligent worker who earned his fair share of respect. In the Champions' Ballad DLC, there is a cutscene showcasing his determination to master Revali's Gale.

Revali's ability to create updrafts, previously believed to be impossible, has become legendary among the Rito people. Many Rito dream of emulating his skills, including Teba. However, despite his prominent role in Breath of the Wild and Age of Calamity, the other villagers rarely mention him. Even Teba, who once deeply admired Revali and gifted Tulin the Great Eagle Bow, remains silent about him. The only reminder of Revali's existence is Revali's Landing.

2. Kass

The Champions' Ballad

When it comes to characters receiving little to no attention, TotK players were left disappointed by the absence of Kass. Kass was a wandering minstrel who carried his accordion wherever he went. He provided clues for unlocking specific Shrines in BotW, and he played a more significant role in the Champions' Ballad DLC. His unforgettable theme song even received a rendition for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Instead of Kass, players will discover Penn, a worker for the Lucky Clover Gazette, in Breath of the Wild. Surprisingly, Penn mentions Kass once players have completed all the side adventures for the Lucky Clover Gazette, despite Kass's absence in Tears of the Kingdom. Even saving Rito Village from an unending blizzard does not entice Kass to return to Hyrule. The lack of DLC begs the question: what exactly transpired with Kass between BotW and TotK?

1. Teba

Rito Village Elder & Rito Warrior

Teba played a significant role in Breath of the Wild by assisting Link in boarding Vah Medoh. However, compared to other "Champions" like Sidon, Riju, and Yunobo, Teba didn't receive as much screen time. This was partially addressed in the spinoff game Age of Calamity, where Teba time-traveled to help Revali and the others. Some fans consider Teba to be one of the most powerful characters in AoC. Naturally, fans expected Teba to be present in Tears of the Kingdom.

However, rather than Teba, the TotK trailers introduced his son Tulin fighting alongside Link and the other Sages. Tulin even received prominent artwork that was shared alongside Sidon's and Riju's before the game's worldwide release. Concern arose among fans, speculating that something might have happened to Teba, which led his son to take his place on the front lines. However, it was later revealed that Teba had become the Rito Elder, which was not a negative development for his character. Despite this, Teba doesn't have any speaking lines in Tears of the Kingdom, and his screen time is significantly reduced to accommodate Tulin.

Throughout the rest of the game, he remains in Rito Village and offers to craft Link a Great Eagle Bow. The shift of Teba's character from a significant role to a background NPC disappointed some players, who desired a more substantial presence for him in the Rito storyline of TotK. In fact, some even expressed a preference for Teba to assume the role of the Sage of Wind instead of Tulin.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can now be played on Nintendo Switch.

Introducing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, a captivating addition to the renowned franchise. Available on the Switch platform, this highly anticipated game is set to release on May 12, 2023. Developed by Nintendo, this exciting adventure is rated E for Everyone 10+. Prepare for a thrilling experience filled with fantasy violence and mild suggestive themes.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of the Legend of Zelda series, I have mixed feelings about the Rito Arc in Tears of the Kingdom. On one hand, I appreciate the game's focus on the Rito, a race of bird-like people who were first introduced in The Wind Waker. The Rito Village is a beautiful and vibrant location, and I enjoyed getting to know the various characters who live there. The main questline involving the Rito was also well-written and engaging.

On the other hand, I feel like the Rito Arc could have been fleshed out more. For example, I would have liked to see more references to beloved Rito characters from previous games, such as Prince Komali. I also think it would have been interesting to learn more about the history of the Rito and their relationship with the other races of Hyrule. Additionally, I feel like the Rito Arc could have been more challenging. The main questline was relatively easy to complete, and I never felt like I was in any real danger. Overall, I enjoyed the Rito Arc in Tears of the Kingdom, but I feel like it could have been even better with a few more additions and improvements.