The Unprecedented Power of Zelda's Monster Control Crews Unleashed in a Major Way
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Monster Control Crews add excitement to basic fights, but disappointingly, the game fails to provide a satisfying conclusion to this engaging side adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom offers plenty of exciting opportunities for exploration and gameplay. While the game utilizes the same Hyrule as its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, there have been significant enhancements and additions to the geography. The entire map has been populated with fresh content, and even the basic enemy groups and camps have been carefully modified to provide a diverse and challenging experience right from the start. Fans of the series will find their entertainment needs well met by The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, with new and captivating experiences awaiting them.
In fact, the game is so packed with adventures that a brand new category of quests has been introduced to accommodate them. Known as Side Adventures, these quests often consist of lengthy quest chains that span across large portions of the map. From the sky islands to the Depths, players can embark on these quests, which offer a more extensive and immersive gameplay experience. While still considered as larger Side Quests, Side Adventures can provide a range of incentives, from introducing new gameplay mechanics to offering additional resources. However, among these quests, there is one that stands out as somewhat less fulfilling, considering the potential it had for a more rewarding experience with a little extra effort.
The Monster-Control Crews Make Basic Fights More Interesting
After acquiring the Paraglider at Lookout Landing, players may come across a group of armed Hylians traversing the land. Engaging in conversation with them reveals their intention to eradicate a large den of monsters in the area, and they extend an invitation to Link to join their cause. This marks the beginning of the "Bring Peace" series of Side Adventures, encompassing a total of six encounters with the Monster-Control Crews. In order to assist them, players must locate Hoz for the quests in Hyrule Field and Necluda, Flaxel for Faron and Hebra, and Toren for Eldin and Akkala. Completing the initial skirmish with each squad grants access to their subsequent battles, after which a return to Lookout Landing is warranted.
Despite the simplicity of these quests, the rewards bestowed upon Link in the early and middle stages of the game are quite noteworthy. Upon aiding a Monster-Control Crew, Link is rewarded with a silver rupee. Furthermore, after conquering all six Side Adventures, Link receives a Monster-Control Crew Fabric for his Paraglider. While this alone may seem somewhat underwhelming, it should be noted that these Side Adventures refresh following each occurrence of a Blood Moon. Acquiring 600 rupees at virtually no cost every few hours holds notable value and may alleviate monetary struggles for numerous players within the realm of Tears of the Kingdom. However, there are those who still find themselves somewhat dissatisfied with this particular quest line.
Tears of the Kingdom's Finale Could Have Acknowledged This Side Adventure's Completion
When Zelda fans had limited knowledge of Tears of the Kingdom's content, every new trailer was a significant event. This excitement grew even more when the trailers started hinting at gameplay details, such as weapon merging, vehicles, and NPCs joining in battles. One specific scene featured Link standing alongside armed members from various tribes of Hyrule, now recognized as the Monster-Control Crew. Fans speculated that there would be opportunities to recruit, equip, and direct these regular NPCs, a concept that was somewhat realized through the Gerudo Town quest line and "Bring Peace" quests.
However, it still felt like Link was shouldering all the responsibility. To emphasize the impact of Hyrule's collective efforts against Ganondorf, completing the Monster-Control Crew's Side Adventures could have triggered the appearance of several hot air balloons outside the final dungeon, carrying familiar fighters. These allies would have fought alongside Link and the Sages, combating the initial waves of Ganondorf's Army, creating a true war for Hyrule's fate. Some events may have needed to be rearranged to justify their involvement, but it would have provided a gratifying payoff, rewarding players for inspiring Hyrule's citizens.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now exclusively on Nintendo Switch.
