The Unparalleled Enemy Design in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Will Leave You in Awe

The combat of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, show significant improvements. While Link's moveset remains simple in both games, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom stands out for offering players a wide range of options to explore, both in and out of combat.

The enemies in both games have undergone noticeable enhancements, particularly in Tears of the Kingdom where a greater variety of foes are introduced. Each enemy feels distinct enough to ensure players must constantly consider multiple strategies for every encounter. With the expanded options available to Link, the interactions between enemies and the player become more dynamic and engaging.

Tears of the Kingdom Brings Out the Best in Both Ends of Combat

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While Breath of the Wild featured a decent variety of enemy types, they are overshadowed by the abundance of enemies in the sequel. Not only do most of the enemies from the previous game make a return in Tears of the Kingdom, but they have also been expanded upon to the extent that the new adversaries compensate for any absences.

Such expansion is expected in a direct follow-up, and it is still impressive to witness the almost doubling of common enemy types. The addition of creatures like Horroblins and Boss Bokoblins, along with various classes of constructs, contributes significantly to the diversity of battles. Their unique fighting styles, distinct from those in Breath of the Wild, bring a substantial level of variety, particularly when encountered alongside familiar foes.

Further steps were taken to enhance and diversify combat in the game by introducing new powers. Fuse or Ultrahand, for instance, serve the purpose of combining different objects, but with different focuses: one prioritizing the environment and the other augmenting Link's arsenal. Unlike Breath of the Wild, where weapons had fixed properties, Tears of the Kingdom allows for more imaginative possibilities, with few restrictions placed on players.

Virtually any weapon can receive a flat increase in damage or gain a wide range, and they can also be infused with elemental abilities depending on the attachments used. Moreover, Zonai devices can be attached to weapons and shields, offering unconventional methods of combat. For example, players can create a flamethrower by attaching flame emitters to a shield or combine spears and cannons to create RPGs, adding a devastating new element to Link's arsenal.

Combat in Tears of the Kingdom goes beyond traditional weapons, allowing players to use their abilities as powerful tools. For example, the Ultrahand can be used to construct attack helicopters, enabling players to rain chaos upon their enemies. However, facing formidable foes like Gleeoks without powerful weapons or armor can be difficult unless players utilize vehicles or currents that can lock onto enemies. Additionally, the Recall ability proves to be effective as it allows players to turn boulders thrown by Like-Likes against them, inflicting damage and showcasing their strategic prowess.

While the linear pace of earlier Zelda games may be missed, Tears of the Kingdom excels in enemy design by offering a diverse range of enemies that seamlessly integrate into the game's overall flow. Moreover, players are presented with numerous ways to interact with these enemies, encouraging creative solutions to overcome challenges. This clever enemy design is a major triumph for the game.

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