Unveiling the Evolution of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Ushers in a Game-Changing Era

Highlights

Tears of the Kingdom has been a successful addition to The Legend of Zelda series, building on the strengths of Breath of the Wild.

Nintendo has officially announced that Tears of the Kingdom will not be receiving any additional DLC, signifying the conclusion of this era of Zelda.

For quite some time, fans have been engaged in discussions revolving around the possibility of a contemporary, or perhaps even futuristic, installment of the Zelda franchise. Now might present the perfect opportunity to delve into this concept, all while preserving the fundamental aspects that define the series.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been available for a while now, captivating players with its innovative mechanics and diverse solutions. With its foundation built upon the successful Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom is destined to be remembered as one of the greatest titles in The Legend of Zelda series.

Currently, fans believe that there is little left to explore in this version of Hyrule, and Nintendo shares this sentiment. Eiji Aonuma, the series producer, has confirmed that Tears of the Kingdom will not receive any additional content, as it already encompasses Nintendo's vision for this era of Zelda. The trilogy comprising Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity, and Tears of the Kingdom will leave a lasting impression on the Nintendo Switch, but it is now time for The Legend of Zelda to embark on a new adventure in a different setting.

It's Time For Zelda To Tackle The Modern Day

It's difficult to determine the exact meaning at this point. The Legend of Zelda franchise is known for its medieval fantasy aesthetic in all of its games, but Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom introduce futuristic technology, deviating from the norm. It seems like Zelda is trying to move away from its traditional look, with the inclusion of unusual elements like Link's use of a touchscreen tablet and a motorcycle becoming commonplace. With another setting reset in progress, it could be time to embrace and create a Zelda game that fans have long discussed.

The concept of Urban Legend of Zelda has somewhat lost relevance over time. The inclusion of modern or futuristic elements in a Zelda game has been speculated for a while, but the franchise has yet to fully embrace it. Although there have been hints of modernity in titles like Link's Awakening with features such as telephones and crane games, Link has consistently been depicted visiting small villages between exploring monster-filled landscapes. However, this approach may still be effective in a modern context and could even incorporate some of the beloved aspects that made Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom appealing.

How A Futuristic Zelda Game Could Work

Pivoting towards urban fantasy would align well with the open-world theme of modern Zelda, a direction that Nintendo has shown interest in maintaining. While fans shouldn't anticipate a first-person Zelda game in the style of Cyberpunk 2077, the emphasis on Link's exploration and manipulation of the environment could remain, potentially incorporating a substitute for the Ultrahand device. The traditional Hero of Hyrule may not rely on a car, but the customizable Master Cycle could make a comeback, drawing inspiration from the customization features seen in Tears of the Kingdom and Spirit Tracks.

Regarding the overall game, Hyrule Castle Town could evolve into a significant, expansive hub that branches out into various fields and dungeons, such as deserted shopping centers, mystical subterranean ruins, or countryside with abundant discoveries akin to previous Zelda titles. The final result might resemble the map of Grand Theft Auto 5, with more wilderness occupying areas devoid of civilian presence. While a futuristic sci-fi setting could be intriguing, it is important to prioritize how urban fantasy can seamlessly integrate with Zelda's customary magic and tribes, given the significant leap it represents for the series. The future of Zelda beyond Tears of the Kingdom remains uncertain, but it might finally explore the concept of an urban Legend of Zelda.

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