Unveiling the Enchanting Learning Gardens in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Highlights

Side Quests in Tears of the Kingdom not only cover the basics but also provide instructions and rewards, serving as a helpful guide throughout the player's journey. While the tutorial area of Great Sky Island in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom covers a lot, the game's Side Quests give players the opportunity to learn about less important but still valuable details that they may have overlooked. Following the example set by Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom's tutorial confines players to a specific area that covers all the fundamental gameplay elements. However, as players explore Hyrule's surface, there is still more to discover and learn, including new abilities like Link's Ultrahand.

Fortunately, Nintendo has already taken into account how to acquaint players with the additional gameplay mechanics and features of Tears of the Kingdom that have not been addressed yet. In close proximity to Lookout Landing, Tears of the Kingdom's initial surface location that players should explore, many of the shrines serve as mini-tutorials which educate players on various combat techniques, fusing abilities, and more. As a result, whether it pertains to understanding the interaction of Ultrahand abilities with the game world, venturing into new caves, or even the basics of horse taming and riding, Tears of the Kingdom's Side Quests are there to provide assistance.

The Differences Between Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Side Adventures and Side Quests

Tears of the Kingdom takes a fresh approach to quests and missions, setting it apart from Breath of the Wild. Instead of the three traditional categories of main, side, and shrine quests, this game introduces a distinction between large-scale missions known as "Side Adventures" and smaller, individual "Side Quests." The main differentiating factor is the level of player involvement required, including aspects such as extensive travel, multiple steps, and the involvement of various characters, stories, and quest lines.

As a result, it is easy to associate the two and confuse them, particularly when numerous Side Adventures greatly enhance the player's experience, such as the various Great Fairy serenades and the potential Princess Zelda sightings. However, while Side Adventures encompass many features of Tears of the Kingdom, such as unlocking access to the Great Fairies to upgrade Link's armor, Side Quests delve into subtler mechanics that may not be readily apparent to the player as they progress. Despite these differences, both share the common purpose of guiding and supporting the player's journey, as outputted below.

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Side Quests Covers The Basics

In a similar fashion to Lookout Landing's nearby shrines that teach players combat techniques such as charged attacks and perfect dodges, this area offers numerous Side Quests that encourage players to familiarize themselves with the game's fundamental mechanics and features. For example, "The Incomplete Stable" demonstrates how players can utilize their Ultrahand abilities to solve in-game puzzles directly. Shortly after completing this quest, another Side Quest called "Spotting Spot" provides lessons on taming and riding horses. Moreover, numerous Side Quests require the use of the Purah Pad's camera function, prompting players to interact with Robbie and acquire knowledge about the Depths as a result.

The larger Side Adventures in Tears of the Kingdom can be seen as a guide for players, offering small Side Quests that provide direct instructions and rewards. For instance, Lookout Landing's Side Quest "Village Attacked by Pirates" will lead players to the larger Side Adventure of liberating Lurelin Village from monsters. Alongside the new Monster Forces battles, these Side Quests also encourage players to challenge Tears of the Kingdom's mini-bosses, including the old Hinox, Talus, and Molduga, as well as the all-new Flux, Frox, and revamped Gleeoks.

Tears of the Kingdom, part of The Legend of Zelda series, is now available on Nintendo Switch.