The Ultimate Guide to Master Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

This article contains spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Despite being released 35 years into the Zelda franchise's lifespan, Tears of the Kingdom has quickly established itself as a defining entry. Even months after its release, players are still exploring its expansive open world and discovering new things to do and collect. While Tears of the Kingdom brings many changes compared to previous Zelda games, it still captures the adventurous essence that has been at the core of the franchise since its beginning. Each new innovation it introduces also pays homage to the series' longstanding traditions.

However, Tears of the Kingdom can also provide a learning experience. Similar to its predecessor Breath of the Wild, this version of Hyrule offers a more open and challenging environment compared to many other 3D Zelda titles. Players are often left to their own devices, needing to decipher the laws of the land in order to survive and succeed in their mission to rescue Princess Zelda. While Tears of the Kingdom may initially feel harsh to players embarking on their first open world Zelda quest, over time, the unspoken rules that govern its world will become second nature.

Get The Paraglider From Lookout Landing

After the tutorial, Tears of the Kingdom follows a non-linear structure similar to its predecessor, with one exception. Players who are familiar with the game will feel incomplete without their trusty Paraglider, while newcomers will quickly realize that something important is missing from their arsenal. Eventually, all players will need to make their way to Lookout Landing, a location between their starting point and Hyrule Castle, to complete a short quest given by Purah. This quest is essential in order to obtain the final vital tool.

Obtaining the Paraglider is crucial for navigating the different elevations in Tears of the Kingdom's expanded Hyrule. This handy cloth allows safe passage through mountainous areas and prevents players from falling to their doom. It is a necessary tool for accessing the Wind Temple and unlocking the powers of the corresponding Sage, as well as exploring the final dungeon located beneath a massive chasm. Skipping this leg of the quest is not an option.

Engage With Tears of the Kingdom's Content As It Appears

Use Ultrahand As Much As Possible

: Subsequently, players have the freedom to explore the vast, three-tiered realm of Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom. Although they may have specific destinations in mind, the primary gameplay revolves around interacting with the various elements encountered along the way. These can range from confronting menacing monster camps, discovering tranquil Stables and enigmatic Dragon Tears, embarking on captivating side quests, exploring mysterious caves, encountering adorable Koroks, or uncovering enigmatic Shrines. Instead of following a linear path, players engage with these encounters as they arise, gradually strengthening themselves and preparing for the more formidable challenges in Tears of the Kingdom. Furthermore, acquiring mechanical knowledge becomes pivotal to effectively utilizing Link's newfound abilities.

When exploring the challenging terrain of Hyrule, players will frequently encounter the need or desire to utilize Ultrahand. Among all the abilities that Link acquires for his Zonai arm, Ultrahand is an essential and versatile tool. At its simplest level, it enables the creation of vehicles that can traverse obstacles and cover long distances effortlessly. Furthermore, it can be employed for more intricate purposes, such as crafting unique artworks or providing surprising tools that aid Link in his quest to reclaim Hyrule in a stylish manner. With numerous side quests and Shrines demanding the use of Ultrahand, complemented by a continuous stream of new Zonai Devices, players will soon find it unimaginable to venture without this all-encompassing tool.

Find Towers And Lightroots To Fill Out The Map

Treat Towns and Dungeons As TotK's Major Goals

Exploring the vast and intricate world of Tears of the Kingdom is an exhilarating experience, where getting lost and stumbling upon hidden treasures is part of the adventure. However, it is natural for players to eventually seek out their bearings and track their progress. This is where the importance of locating Skyview Towers on the surface and Lightroots in the Depths comes into play. These distinctive structures stand out amidst the bustling skyline or the eerie darkness, serving as valuable navigational aids, convenient travel points, and granting access to the sky in the case of the Towers. Regardless of how much time one spends immersed in Tears of the Kingdom, stumbling upon a Tower or a Lightroot always brings about a sense of triumph and celebration.

As demonstrated by the Hero's Path Mode of numerous players, the routes traversed within Tears of the Kingdom are often extensive and wandering. Players are encouraged to pause and explore any discoveries encountered along their journey, making distractions inevitable. However, those diligently progressing through the main quest inevitably have the next town or dungeon in the back of their minds. The various temples within Tears of the Kingdom serve as captivating climactic moments in the broader adventure, subsequently transforming the associated settlements into minor focal points teeming with quests, non-player characters, and replenishing stores. These significant landmarks are an inherent part of every player's expedition, and the ultimate sensation of completion in Tears of the Kingdom would be lacking without them.

Destroy Ganondorf

In contrast to Breath of the Wild, this is actually an unspoken rule for most of the game. Link's journey can be terminated at any point by venturing beneath Hyrule Castle to face off against Ganondorf and his massive army. The level of resistance encountered is dependent on the completion of main quests. The primary objective in Tears of the Kingdom is to locate Princess Zelda, and even when players technically achieve this, it cannot be checked off until Ganondorf is definitively defeated. Although Hyrule's ancient Demon King will put up a formidable struggle, players will ultimately prevail against the latest incarnation of Zelda's iconic villain, thanks to the resources and allies they have acquired during their adventures.

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