Unveiling the Enigmatic Depths of Zelda: Discover the Surprising 10 Best Features

In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, players can once again explore the vast open world of Hyrule, just like they did in its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. However, Nintendo has not disappointed its fans in the sequel, as they have significantly expanded the map by adding two new regions: the desolate Sky Islands above Hyrule, and an expansive underworld called the Depths.

Covering nearly the entire Hyrule map, the Depths offer a plethora of discoveries for players. With numerous secrets, side quests, and various advantages awaiting those who venture into this mysterious underground realm, these highlights of the Depths make it the perfect destination for exploration.

10 A Whole New Map To Explore

The Depths, which are equal in size to the Hyrule overworld, have similarities and differences compared to Hyrule. Fortunately, the creators of Tears of the Kingdom have provided an easy way to continue exploring the Depths through their version of Skyview Towers.

Instead of being divided into different areas activated by Skyview Towers or Sheikah Towers in Breath of the Wild, the Depths contain Lightroots. These Lightroots illuminate dark areas, making exploration easier. Although locating these Lightroots can be a challenge, they are similar to the Shrines of Light in Hyrule's overworld, which helps in finding them.

9 Mining For Zonaite

Spending ample time in the Depths provides players with numerous opportunities to mine Zonaite, a newly introduced mineral in Tears of the Kingdom. Additionally, the Depths house mines where gathered Zonaite can be processed into either Zonai charges, offering temporary battery life, or crystallized charges, which can be exchanged for battery upgrades.

Luckily, Zonaite shortages are not a concern in the Depths, particularly if players are courageous enough to confront enemy encampments and risk sustaining Gloom damage. Exclusive to the Depths, certain creatures like Tiny Frox can drop Zonaite when defeated, making them valuable targets and maximizing the results of each exploration below.

8 The Treasure Of The Depths

By neglecting to explore the Depths, players will miss out on the opportunity to obtain valuable and elusive treasure. The Depths hold numerous exceptional weapons and armor pieces, often concealed within Treasure Chests or held by shadow soldiers. These concealed soldiers serve as the exclusive source of pristine weapons in the Nintendo Switch game.

Furthermore, delving into the Depths may yield armor pieces that pay homage to beloved Legend of Zelda titles, such as The Wind Waker or Twilight Princess. Engaging in challenging battles against hordes of monsters in the Depths' coliseums also presents players with the chance to acquire special armor pieces like Midna's Helmet or Zant's Helmet.

7 Collecting Poes For Bargainer Statues

Upon entering the Depths, players will quickly notice clusters of Poe spirits scattered throughout the area, emanating a faint glow. It is important to keep an eye out for both Grand and Large Poes, as they yield a higher number of Poes when collected, although they are less frequently encountered compared to individual Poe spirits.

Once players have gathered a collection of Poes, they may wonder about their purpose. To unravel this mystery, one must delve deeper into the Depths and locate Bargainer Statues. These statues offer a trade, accepting Poe spirits in exchange for rare items or sets of armor. This presents a particularly valuable opportunity to acquire Bomb Flowers, which are typically scarce in the outside world.

6 Zonai Device Experimentation

The inclusion of Zonai devices and crafting mechanics in Tears of the Kingdom greatly expands the possibilities of gameplay. Many online players have already showcased their incredible ingenuity with Zonai devices. The acquisition of these devices through Device Dispensers may seem wasteful, but when Link enters the Depths, they become invaluable.

Frequently, players will encounter sections in the Depths where numerous Zonai devices are conveniently laid out, waiting to be utilized. This presents an excellent opportunity for players to experiment with their own Zonai device inventions, and Link can make good use of them while exploring the Depths. Players may even create blueprints that can be repurposed in the game's overworld.

5 Autobuild Encourages Creativity

By exploring the Depths early on in Tears of the Kingdom, players can unlock an additional rune called Autobuild, which offers a significant advantage. With this rune, players can store their creations and effortlessly rebuild them whenever needed. This can be achieved either by personally gathering the required materials or by using Zonaite to construct them instantly.

The Autobuild feature not only allows players to conveniently recreate their inventions, but also serves as a motivation for them to devise innovative solutions to challenges in the main world. If a player lacks the stamina to glide across a gap, they can simply spend some Zonaite to construct a hovercraft and effortlessly reach their destination.

4 Facing The Yiga Clan

Players who venture into the Depths should proceed with caution, as it is not always a safe adventure. However, the main threat they will encounter is the Yiga Clan. These rebellious Sheikah are notorious troublemakers and have a fondness for bananas. They can be found causing chaos throughout Hyrule, often due to the incompetence of their leader, Master Kohga.

While Kohga was originally encountered as a miniboss in Breath of the Wild, he has now established the Depths as his new base of operations in Tears of the Kingdom. Throughout the side quest "Master Kohga of the Yiga Clan," players will have multiple opportunities to confront him. Link must track him down in various locations within the Depths and defeat his Zonai device vehicles.

3 Same Old Fights, Brand New Challenge

The map of the Depths closely resembles Hyrule's map in many aspects, particularly when it comes to encountering boss battles again. In Tears of the Kingdom's main storyline, players will confront numerous bosses at the end of each temple, such as Queen Gibdo of the Lightning Temple or Mucktorok of the Water Temple.

If players desire another chance to challenge these bosses, they can be located at various spots across the Depths. Once defeated, they will reappear in different areas, providing numerous opportunities for Link to face them once more. For clues about their whereabouts, explore areas in the Depths that correspond to the temples' positions in the overworld.

2 Riding Stalhorses

Finding and registering horses at stables is a popular pastime among Tears of the Kingdom players, especially when it involves discovering rare breeds. One of the exceptionally rare breeds found in Hyrule is the Stalhorse, a skeletal horse that only appears at specific locations during the night. However, these horses are commonly seen ridden by enemies in the Depths.

Taming a Stalhorse in the Depths proves to be incredibly beneficial. These horses are capable of traversing Gloom without causing harm to Link, which makes them more versatile companions for exploring the area compared to regular horses. However, due to the absence of horse stables in the Depths, players will have limited bonding opportunities with these horses and will eventually have to release them back into the wild.

1 Deciphering Hyrule's Hidden Lore

The Depths, a significant expansion in Hyrule's lore, provides players with valuable insights that were absent in the previous game. The investigation of enigmatic statues underground, led by Josha and Robbie, serves as the players' initial introduction to these mysterious caves.

Numerous fans have conjectured diverse theories regarding the true nature and origin of the Depths in Hyrule. Some propose that they serve as a realm for the after-life, which would account for the presence of spectral warriors and Poe spirits. On the other hand, there are theories suggesting that the Depths could be a depiction of Hyrule from a bygone era.