The Top 8 Astonishing Details That Prove Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a Game Worth Playing

Zelda fans have been eagerly anticipating the release of Tears of the Kingdom, a game that has been in development for quite some time. The attention to detail in this game is evident in every aspect, demonstrating the love and dedication that Nintendo has poured into it. Let's delve into some of the remarkable small details that Nintendo has incorporated into TotK to showcase their commitment to this beloved franchise.

8 Cave & Shrine Completion Icons

In Tears of the Kingdom, there are over 150 Shrines and 400 Caves, making it challenging to keep track of which ones have been fully explored. Fortunately, both Shrines and Caves have map icons that visually indicate whether they have been completed. The Shrine icons on the map retain an orange "core" representing the stone doorway Link enters, and the name of the puzzle is absent for unexplored Shrines. Additionally, players can determine whether a Shrine has been cleared by the absence of the spiral Zonai magic hovering above Shrines with the Blessing.

Once you acquire the Bubbul Gem from a Bubbulfrog in a cave, navigating Caves becomes much simpler. A small checkmark will appear next to the Cave's icon on the map, indicating that you have already obtained the gem. If the checkmark is absent, it means that you still need to acquire the Bubbul Gem from that particular cave.

7 Divine Best Helm & Ancient Sage Helm Easter Egg

Despite the nearly complete absence of references to the Sheikah or the Calamity in Tears of the Kingdom, fans of Breath of the Wild have discovered subtle nods throughout the game. These include the 'Teach Me A Lesson' school Side Quest in Hateno Village, the progression of the Yiga Clan in the Depths, and a clever Divine Beast easter egg that has gone unnoticed by many players.

Players can once again discover the Divine Beasts Helms in the game, hidden in their respective regions. Once Link wears any of these helmets, the corresponding Companion Sage Summon (Zora, Rito, Goron, Gerudo) will also don the same helmet as the ancient Sages from Rauru's time. This small yet delightful detail pays homage to the Champions, the ancient Sages, and the current Sages' unwavering commitment to both.

6 The Yiga Clan Are Still Weak To Mighty Bananas

Tears of the Kingdom boasts an extensive amount of contextual dialogue, with fans still uncovering hidden gems. Among these is a particular fun discovery involving the Yiga Clan, a Team Rocket-like faction of Demon King devotees, headed by the comically inept Kohga.

Simply drop a Mighty Banana in front of an NPC to determine if it's a Yiga in disguise. If the NPC reacts, it's a Yiga, but if not, it's just a regular character. One of the best responses observed is "I'm on duty...Self-Control!"

The NPCs in the game have an impressive level of contextual dialogue. They react to various stimuli, such as Link swinging his weapon, which causes all NPCs to have a 'scared' reaction. Additionally, the Zora are scared of electricity while being happy around water. Link's armor, or lack thereof, can also elicit different reactions. For instance, if players run around as Link in only his underwear, people will constantly ask him if he's cold or question his choice of attire, similar to Breath of the Wild.

Wearing the Yiga disguise can be surprisingly useful, particularly when interacting with members of the Sheikah Tribe like Josha or Purah. They tend to react strongly to the disguise, which makes it even more enticing to collect all the Armor Sets and see how people respond to them.

Despite its seemingly insignificant size, the apple under the bridge in Kakariko Village holds a special place in the hearts of BotW fans. Its significance in the game's lore has sparked numerous discussions on Reddit and YouTube, with many speculating about its connection to the interconnected timeline of the Zelda games. The apple has even become the subject of memes, showing just how much of an impact even the smallest details can have on a game's community.

3 Stahls Can't Handle The Light Of Dazzlefruits

Navigating through the Depths of Hyrule can be a real challenge, especially when dealing with the Stahl versions of basic mobs. These foes may not be the toughest out there, but their tendency to spawn in groups and catch Link off guard can be frustrating. It's not uncommon for one of them to land a hit on him, causing him to temporarily lose a heart to the Gloom.

Simply toss a Dazzlefruit near the Stal enemies and watch their heads instantly pop off and turn to dust. This method saves your weapon durability and eliminates the risk of losing a Gloom Heart, as the Stal creatures cannot handle the sunlight that the fruit emits. It seems that Dazzlefruits trigger the same reaction as the sun.

2 All The Ultrahand Interactions With Flux Constructs

Discovering this next detail could have saved players a lot of trouble during their first few encounters with Flux Constructs. These massive guardians, similar to Stone Taluses, are found throughout Zonai areas. They have the ability to launch parts of themselves at Link, causing damage. However, their core must be destroyed in order to defeat them.

As the Flux Constructs weaken, they become more elusive and transform into various objects, such as platforms in the sky or rolling cubes. Despite their shapeshifting, Link can still defeat them by using certain items or slowing down time to aim and destroy their core. His Ultrahand also proves to be a useful tool in taking them down. Link's arsenal includes a variety of powers that can be used against the Constructs, such as grabbing their parts, fusing them to his shield, or even sending their own cubes back at them using Recall.

As players progress through Tears of the Kingdom, they will eventually reach the very bottom of the hole that Zelda falls into during the game's introduction. This location is easily recognizable by players, thanks to a specific detail that sets it apart from other areas in the game. Of course, I won't spoil it here, but keep an eye out for this key feature when you reach this spot.

Upon arriving in Gloom's Lair, Link will find no items except for a solitary Torch located in the first chamber. This may strike some as peculiar, but to those who recall the game's introduction, this is the very same Torch that Link dropped down the hole while attempting to rescue Zelda. While this detail may seem insignificant, its inclusion adds a layer of depth to the game's narrative, showcasing the attention to detail that went into its creation. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can be enjoyed on the Nintendo Switch.