The hype for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom grows stronger as we inch closer to its May 12, 2023, release date. Nintendo revolutionised the open-world adventure genre with 2017’s Breath of the Wild.
BOTW attracted a new generation to a 36-year-old franchise and set the benchmark for action-adventure games with its flexibility, abilities, and physics-based mechanics. The launch product for Nintendo Switch has sold over 27 million units, making the console a household name.
It’s tough to improve upon a nearly-perfect game. But we believe Tears of the Kingdom can set the bar even higher by focusing on some key areas.
Call it a wishlist or a last-minute note to the developers. Here are five things we want to see in The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom.
An Improved Weapon System
The weapon system in BOTW forced players to improvise and get out of trouble creatively. Your weapons had durability, which means they would break after several uses. The gameplay mechanic frustrated a section of the fanbase but forced the players to try other weapons and new things.
The strategic improvisation was refreshing, but it also weakened the combat system. Even Master Sword ran out of energy and needed a recharge. Finding the ultimate weapon and discovering that it couldn’t be used permanently was a bummer.
We believe there are two ways to switch up the weapon system to make combat even more fulfilling. Master Sword and Hylian Shield should be super weapons with no durability issues and no recharge needed.
Tears of The Kingdom can also take the Elden Ring route with weapon scaling. The weapons’ base damage could scale based on a specific attribute. That would make the endgame weapons worth the trouble.
Enhanced Bag of Tricks
Link could unleash spectacular abilities in BOTW. Using the mystical Sheikah Slate, he could manipulate metal, freeze water to climb up to new areas, make bombs, and even stop time. Combined with state-of-the-art physics, these abilities lit up the gameplay.
TOTK is set to improve Link’s arsenal. The trailer has revealed some of the new tricks. Link can rewind time and alter an object’s movement. He can phase through solid objects with a water-like effect. He has a new glider and can freefall, boosting the already-robust traversal options.
Nintendo can further distance the sequel from BOTW by adding more abilities. The release date is still months away, and we may see more abilities revealed as we move closer to May 2023. More unique abilities will give the game an identity of its own.
More Dungeon Designs
After finishing the prologue, BOTW gave you unprecedented freedom. The players could head to the castle to rescue Zelda or go free the Divine Beasts from Ganon. However, the Divine Beasts’ quests leave a lot to be desired.
The dungeons you needed to clear to free the beasts feature a limited variety. While it made no dungeon more challenging than others, it disappointed both the classic Zelda fans and the modern gamers who want new designs and mechanics.
In its 36-year history, the Zelda franchise has featured several classic dungeons. Be it the Snowpeak Ruins from Twilight Princess or Forest Temple from The Ocarina of Time, definitive Zelda dungeons defied the aesthetics and defined the genre. These extended adventures took you on a journey away from the primary setting.
Tears of The Kingdom can add variety either by having several lengthy dungeons or smaller Divine Beasts-type quests with unique challenges and bosses. They can even be hard to find, adding an element of exploration.
While the dungeon design could use some tinkering, Zelda TOTK should retain the shrines. These short puzzle sequences were varied and often left you scratching your head. However, you could tackle one anytime, look for a solution, give up and come back when you desire.
BOTW didn’t halt your progression by requiring you to complete the puzzle of the shrine. These shrines were also used to guide you as clearing one placed a marker on the map. They should definitely make a return in TOTK.
No More Empty, Lonely World
There’s no denying that BOTW looked incredible. Everyone enjoyed taking off on Link’s glider, climbing everything in sight, and exploring the kingdom of Hyrule.
However, the world often felt empty. Sure, the beautiful open world was supposed to be post-apocalyptic. Still, it felt incredibly lonely when even the rare villages and towns felt empty. Unlike Majora’s Mask, which was full of life and NPCs with elaborate backstories, BOTW’s random interactions didn’t go beyond ‘Hi!’
With ‘Kingdoms’ in its name, TOTK should be littered with cities and make you feel part of a living, moving world. With new traversal options revealed in the trailer, travelling and meeting people should be on Link’s itinerary.
Flesh Out Link’s Character
Before BOTW, players could name the main character whatever they wanted. As he never spoke, Link was essentially a non-character that acted as a gateway between the players and the game. For the longest of times, Link was a series of individual characters for players around the world.
BOTW, however, became the first Zelda game to christen the main character. With the game featuring fully-voiced cutscenes, a consistent name made sense.
The silent protagonist isn’t really a vessel for the players anymore. With the name comes identity, and Link’s character could be fleshed out even more in the sequel.
Conclusion
With a revamped weapon system and new abilities, TOTK can freshen up the Zelda experience. The lonely world of BOTW can be replaced with a bustling setting, and the dungeon system could be expanded with a more classical take.
Or maybe we will get a Link that speaks. Hey, a fan can dream, right?
No matter the design choices The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom makes, it is set to be another remarkable ride for the players. To prep for the upcoming release of the game, make sure to get some Nintendo eShop Cards from OffGamers here today!
