Highlights
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expands on the world and characters of Breath of the Wild, with larger game world, more settlements, and evolved mechanics.
In Tears of the Kingdom, Tulin, previously a minor character in Breath of the Wild, assumes a greater significance and gains valuable lessons from Link. This opens up the possibility for future Zelda games to showcase Link as a mentor, guiding and impacting younger characters as they embark on their own adventures. This idea builds upon the introduced party system seen in Tears of the Kingdom.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom surpassed Breath of the Wild in every aspect. The game world expanded significantly, with more settlements, NPCs, and mechanics. Even characters with minor roles in the previous game were given more prominent positions in Tears of the Kingdom. One notable example is the transformation of the young Rito Tulin, who sets a blueprint for future characters in the series.
In Breath of the Wild, Tulin was a minor character whom Link encounters in Rito Village. At that time, he was just a fledgling following his father, Teba. However, throughout the events of Breath of the Wild, it becomes clear that Tulin has the potential to play a much larger role. In Tears of the Kingdom, set several years later, Tulin has grown into a skilled archer and warrior. Link acts as a mentor to Tulin, highlighting the possibility for similar stories in future games.
Why Link Should Take On A Mentor Role in A Future Zelda Game
In the Zelda franchise, it's not common to see a substantial mentor role for the protagonist, Link, despite the presence of younger characters. Most iterations of Link in the series have been young, ranging from children to teenagers, which limits the opportunities for a younger character to be mentored by him. In fact, it's usually Link who has a mentor rather than the other way around. However, Tulin in Tears of the Kingdom comes close to being a character whom Link takes under his wing.
It would be intriguing for a future Zelda game to introduce a character who accompanies Link for an extended period and learns from him throughout their journey. Given Link's role as a symbol of bravery and heroism, witnessing the growth of a young, misguided, or unsure character under his influence would leave a lasting impact. This could be achieved by featuring an older, experienced Link. Observing Link train or guide a younger warrior throughout an adventure would further develop Link's character.
Tears of the Kingdom laid the foundation for future Zelda games to build upon this concept. By introducing a "party" system where Link can embark on adventures with allies, there is immense potential for a Zelda storyline to revolve around multiple characters. Each of the Sages in Tears of the Kingdom possesses a detailed storyline and can accompany Link in battle in their spirit forms. It would be intriguing to envision a future Zelda game featuring an expanded party system where Link is accompanied by multiple companions throughout the entire game, rather than solely in spirit forms.
In a Zelda game with a party system, Link could assume the role of a mentor guiding a younger character throughout the game's epic journey. Alternatively, there could be a narrative element akin to when the Hero of Time in Ocarina of Time became a mentor to Link in Twilight Princess. Given the longstanding presence of time travel in The Legend of Zelda series, it is conceivable for an older Link to mentor a younger version of himself. Whichever path Nintendo ultimately chooses, the story of Tulin in Tears of the Kingdom has undeniably opened up exciting possibilities for future installments.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved open-world adventure game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In this new installment, players once again join the courageous hero Link and the wise princess Zelda as they strive to protect the kingdom of Hyrule from the clutches of evil Ganondorf.
This exciting journey takes place in the familiar and vast land of Hyrule, but a phenomenon known as the Upheaval adds a thrilling twist to the gameplay. The Upheaval grants Link the ability to traverse the breathtaking Sky Islands, as well as venture deep into the mysterious Depths beneath Hyrule.
As players embark on this epic quest, they can utilize special abilities to combine weapons, creating powerful fusion weapons that aid them in their battles. Additionally, they can also craft useful items that serve as crucial tools for progressing through the game.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, where thrilling adventures and exciting challenges await!
The Legend of Zelda franchise was released on May 12, 2023, for the Nintendo Switch platform. Developed and published by Nintendo, the game falls under the adventure genre. It is rated E for Everyone 10+ due to fantasy violence and mild suggestive themes. The estimated gameplay time is around 60 hours, and it has received a Metascore rating of 96.