The Ultimate Challenges in Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved Breath of The Wild game, is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2023. Both games have garnered immense praise, with some fans even asserting that Tears of The Kingdom surpasses its predecessor, which was already hailed as a groundbreaking title for Nintendo.

While the two games exhibit both similarities and differences, one notable distinction lies in the sheer abundance of content and challenging adversaries that Tears of The Kingdom presents.

8 Decayed Weapons

In the game, players often face a challenge with decayed weapons, which are not as powerful as they should be. However, with the introduction of the 'Fuse' rune in Tears of the Kingdom, gamers now have the ability to merge items with weapons, providing a solution to this issue. By fusing certain items like a rock and stick to create a hammer, or a leaf and a stick to make a fan, players can obtain specific fused weapons that are essential for certain aspects of the game. This means that players often need to carry weapons in their inventory that are not intended for combat purposes.

7 Increased Enemy Camps

In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, enemy camps mainly consisted of weak enemies that could be easily defeated using explosives ignited with a fire arrow. This made it relatively simple to clear out entire camps in one go. However, in The Legend of Zelda: The Other Kingdom, enemy camps are now filled with high-level enemies equipped with powerful weapons. Additionally, new and more formidable monsters have been introduced into the game.

These changes, along with the deterioration of weapons, have significantly increased the level of challenge. The occurrence of the 'blood moon' in both games adds to the daunting nature of the gameplay. Particularly in the early stages of the game, when players have limited weapons, stamina, health, inventory, and armor, surviving against these aggressive enemies becomes a true test. The fact that these enemies are scattered throughout the map further intensifies the need for assistance or companionship.

6 Shrine Detector

In the previous game, Breath of the Wild, players can easily obtain the shrine detector known as the 'Sheikah Sensor' upon completing the game's tutorial on the Great Plateau. This allows them to use the best horses to locate and complete each shrine.

However, in Tears of the Kingdom, obtaining the shrine detector is much more difficult. This adds a challenging element to the game, as it becomes harder to improve stamina and health. Players can only obtain the shrine detection feature after completing the Hateno Village Research Lab quest. Given the numerous quests and tasks in the game, most players are unlikely to prioritize this quest, and they are not informed that the shrine detection becomes available upon completion. As a result, many players have played a significant portion of the game without the shrine detector.

5 More Objectives

In the latest installment of The Legend of Zelda series, players will be delighted to find a staggering total of 253 quests, encompassing both side quests and side adventures. This is a significant increase from its predecessor, Breath of The Wild, which featured just under 150 quests in total. While this abundance of new gameplay is certainly exciting, it can also be quite overwhelming for players at times.

The sheer volume of content and quests occurring simultaneously can be daunting, leaving players unsure of which direction to take or in what order to complete them. This lack of clear guidance adds an extra layer of challenge to the game, as it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of all the tasks and activities available in Tears of the Kingdom. Achieving 100% completion, including the acquisition of 1,000 Korok Seeds, requires a significant amount of effort and dedication due to the multitude of tasks to be undertaken.

4 The New Runes

Tears of The Kingdom also introduced players to four new runes as replacements for the original four: Stasis, Cryonsis, Magnesis, and Remote Bombs. These new runes, namely Fuse, Ultrahand, Ascend, and Rewind, each offer their own unique benefits. However, despite the advantages they bring, fans have expressed their longing for the game's original runes. In particular, Remote Bombs, a beloved Rune, provided valuable assistance in tackling challenging obstacles due to their unlimited supply and significant damage output.

Moreover, the absence of Revali's Gale deprives players of the ability to effortlessly ascend cliffs, evade enemies, and gain advantageous positions. Without the protective shield of Daruk's Protection and the devastating power of Urbosa's Fury, combat against enemies becomes more arduous. Additionally, the absence of Mipha's Grace means players have limited assistance in critical situations. The removal of these features undeniably adds an extra layer of difficulty and solitude to the game.

3 The Depths

In the depths of Hyrule lies a pitch-black world that can only be accessed through treacherous chasms. To navigate this unforgiving terrain, players must rely on elixirs or specific items to illuminate their surroundings. The darkness not only poses a challenge in terms of navigation but also intensifies the threat posed by enemies lurking in the shadows. Additionally, a deadly substance known as gloom engulfs the depths, sapping players' health within seconds.

Uncovering the secrets of this vast and ominous area is no easy task. The sheer size of the environment, coupled with the ever-present gloom and menacing creatures, adds to the difficulty. However, players may stumble upon lightroots, which offer a glimmer of hope by providing additional illumination in The Depths.

2 The Shift Between Games

Fans of TOTK who have played the previous installment, BOTW, would be accustomed to a different experience. Transitioning from a game where they have acquired powerful armor, honed their combat skills, and amassed a plentiful supply of weapons and arrows, to suddenly having nothing, presents a significant challenge.

Playing with only the bare essentials provided at the start of the game can feel unfamiliar to players. The dilapidated weapons and the absence of familiar runes and abilities require some adjustment and adaptation.

1 Health Damage

In Tears of the Kingdom, health is a merciless aspect of the game. Unlike in Breath of the Wild, where only a few enemies could defeat Link in one hit, many new enemies in this game have that ability. This introduces a higher level of difficulty. However, the true challenge lies in the gloom, a slime-like substance that diminishes players' health. Only specific recipes can restore this health.

Without the necessary ingredients or parts, players must endure the game with fewer hearts until they can replenish their health. Alternatively, players can seek out the lightroots in The Depths to restore their health, but this requires prior discovery. Gloom enemies, such as the gloom hands, can also inflict this detrimental effect on players. Thus, gloom and maintaining health become some of the most challenging aspects of the game.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom is available now exclusively on Nintendo Switch.