The Hidden Secrets of Zelda: Majora's Mask and the Kingdom's Tearful Bond

Highlights

Tears of the Kingdom intelligently builds on the solid design and charming world of Breath of the Wild, even if some players wanted more changes.

Both Tears of the Kingdom and Majora's Mask prioritize iteration rather than novelty, as they utilize existing assets and mechanics from their earlier versions.

Link's adventure in Tears of the Kingdom exhibits resemblances to Majora's Mask, not only in terms of the expansive open world but also in terms of layout and progression. This encompasses dungeons and the employment of transformation masks.

After years of anticipation, the long-awaited sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has finally arrived. Tears of the Kingdom is not only an impressive game on its own, but also in how it connects to its predecessor. Sequels are a rarity in The Legend of Zelda series, making the release of a new one a surprising event for many fans. However, Tears of the Kingdom demonstrates its ability to intelligently expand upon the solid design and enchanting world of Breath of the Wild, even if it does not bring about as many changes as some players may have hoped for.

Among the Zelda games released on the same platform as Breath of the Wild, only a few have received direct sequels, similar to the way Tears of the Kingdom has. This new installment in the series reminds many fans of the follow-up to Ocarina of Time, which is Majora's Mask. In the lead-up to its launch, fans already began speculating about the potential parallels between Tears of the Kingdom and Majora's Mask. Although Tears of the Kingdom ultimately possesses a tone more reminiscent of its predecessor rather than the strange and dark atmosphere of Majora's Mask, both games share numerous aspects that may not be immediately apparent.

Majora's Mask and Tears of the Kingdom Are Built On Heavy Iteration

Both Tears of the Kingdom and Majora's Mask are sequels that prioritize refinement and building upon existing elements rather than introducing entirely new concepts. They both utilize assets and mechanics from their predecessors but adapt and modify them to suit their own purposes. While Tears of the Kingdom stands out as the only Zelda title to reuse another game's map, it is unlikely that this practice will be repeated in future entries. On the other hand, Majora's Mask showcases its boldness by assigning character models from Ocarina of Time to completely different individuals while also introducing the alternative land of Termina alongside Hyrule.

However, the similarities between these sequels go beyond mere aesthetics. They both expand upon key features from their respective prequels. Elements such as fast travel, time travel, magic music, and masks were already present in Ocarina of Time but were given new life and significance in Majora's Mask. In a similar vein, Tears of the Kingdom takes existing components like the Sheikah Slate and its four primary Runes from Breath of the Wild and incorporates them into Link's arm powers in a remixing fashion. One particularly transformative ability is the Ultrahand, derived from the Magnesis ability, exemplifying how Tears of the Kingdom's revolutionary nature is built upon the foundation of Breath of the Wild.

Link's Journey Looks Remarkably Similar In Majora's Mask and Tears of the Kingdom

Majora's Mask and Tears of the Kingdom share several similarities, beyond just the theme of time travel. In addition to the open world concept present in both games, Tears of the Kingdom's overall layout and progression closely resemble that of Majora's Mask. Each game features a central hub area, Clock Town and Lookout Landing respectively, which is surrounded by four map quadrants housing dungeons related to different tribes. Completing these dungeons not only impacts the residents of the corresponding areas, but also grants Link transformation masks or Sage powers with specific themes.

Furthermore, both games have a similar approach to side content. While The Legend of Zelda series has always incorporated optional quests, none match the depth and variety found in Majora's Mask. The side quests in this game offer rich narratives that players would be remiss to overlook, and the masks they provide lead to a satisfying and climactic reward. While Tears of the Kingdom may not reach the same level as Majora's Mask in this aspect, its Side Adventures still offer players a reason to explore Hyrule and engage in distinct chains of content. Both Tears of the Kingdom and Majora's Mask ensure that players feel rewarded for investing time in their respective worlds, with significant completion rewards awaiting those who fully immerse themselves.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on Nintendo Switch.