Why Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Paves the Way for a Skyward Sword Sequel

Highlights

Tears of the Kingdom built upon the risk-taking approach of Breath of the Wild, offering player-generated fun and showcasing the series' exceptional track record.

The linear gameplay of Skyward Sword, which was previously considered a disadvantage, now appears to be a positive aspect when compared to the vast open-world of Tears of the Kingdom.

Although Skyward Sword had its advantages and disadvantages, with Skyloft being a well-designed location while other islands felt devoid of activities, Tears of the Kingdom's achievement in creating floating habitats could serve as inspiration for future stories in Skyloft and beyond.

The Legend of Zelda series took a bold step in 2017's Breath of the Wild, presenting a different approach that was further expanded upon in Tears of the Kingdom to enhance player-generated enjoyment. With a strong fan base and critical acclaim for various entries, including Link's Awakening on Game Boy and The Wind Waker on the GameCube, the series has a remarkable track record.

Although 2011's Skyward Sword received mixed reviews due to its cumbersome controls and linear gameplay, its more structured nature now feels like a strength in light of the expansive and epic Tears of the Kingdom. A potential sequel could draw inspiration from the latest game and introduce much-needed diversity.

Tears of the Kingdom's Sky Islands Succeed Where Skyward Sword Failed

Skyward Sword's greatest strength lies in its captivating story and well-developed characters. However, what truly sets it apart from the rest of the series is its unique setting. Taking Link, Zelda, and others to the skies was a novel idea that had its advantages and disadvantages. The new setting had strong ties to Hyrule, creating a sense of natural progression for the franchise while also offering a fresh experience. Initially, descending back to the surface below felt both daunting and mysterious, as the society above was portrayed as a peaceful and heavenly place, contrasting with the obscure world of Hyrule.

Although Skyloft was instantly appealing and stands as one of the most vividly realized locations in the entire series, the remaining areas in the sky felt empty and lacking in substance. While Pumpkin Landing showcased interesting non-playable characters, maintaining the franchise's tradition of well-crafted side personalities, the other islands failed to leave a lasting impression. However, Tears of the Kingdom demonstrated the potential of floating habitats. Although the 2011 Wii game and the 2023 project are fundamentally different in design, the success of the latter could serve as inspiration for more captivating tales set in Skyloft and, potentially, beyond.

Tears of the Kingdom's Open-World Can Be Overwhelming

The Legend of Zelda has followed a specific formula since A Link to the Past, making adjustments and improvements along the way. However, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom dared to break away from this formula and introduced new elements. While Breath of the Wild introduced sky islands, Tears of the Kingdom expanded on this concept by adding more layers to the map. Although the sky islands and The Depths were intriguing, they also had the potential to overwhelm players and make them feel isolated.

A potential sequel to Skyward Sword can incorporate the idea of sky islands without overwhelming players with too many choices, as Tears of the Kingdom did. The two Switch games have created a divide among fans, with some preferring the open-ended nature of later games and others favoring the franchise's traditional roots. Fortunately, the HD remaster of Skyward Sword has shown that the game can still be enjoyable without motion controls. A sequel could rectify past mistakes and utilize the advancements made in Tears of the Kingdom, proving that the Zelda series can adapt to cater to different preferences.

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