The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the highly anticipated sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, has been released globally. In Tears of the Kingdom, players will embark on an epic adventure across the land and skies of Hyrule. The game inherits a lot of features from its predecessor, like the big world of Hyrule. But now it’s even bigger and lets you explore in various new ways.
The game introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as weapon fusion and object manipulation, which will play a significant role in combat and exploration. While The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom theme is similar to Breath of the Wild, it comes with a host of changes you should be aware of. With that said, here’s a detailed breakdown of all the notable changes in the latest Zelda title.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom vs. Breath of the Wild: Major Differences
Hyrule Changes and Sky Islands
Breath of the Wild introduced players to a brand new version of Hyrule, where they could explore and climb almost anything. Tears of the Kingdom takes place in the same Hyrule but after the events of the first game. Players will witness changes such as the appearance of Sky Islands above the surface, as well as alterations in familiar locations. The game starts on the Sky Islands, and it seems like skydiving will be a frequent activity.
New Beasts
Similar to the Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom’s trailers have showcased massive creatures. In one scene, Link and a new Rito character are seen in what appears to be a tornado while a massive centipede-like monster emerges from beneath them. These creatures could be brand new beasts or new boss encounters that Link must defeat. The inclusion of these new creatures hints at the possibility of encountering new challenges and puzzles within the game’s world.
New Bosses
While the Stone Talus makes a return in Tears of the Kingdom as a separate boss encounter, the trailers have also showcased other massive enemies that could potentially be bosses. There is a large construct made of blocks, an even larger mech-like construct, and a massive three-headed hydra-like boss with fire. It remains to be seen if these are new boss encounters or variations of existing enemies. The presence of these new bosses raises questions about the existence of new dungeons and how they will fit into the game’s world.
Skyview Towers and Chica Towers
Chica Towers in Breath of the Wild presented platforming challenges and allowed players to unlock regions of the map. Tears of the Kingdom seems to introduce Skyview Towers, which serve a similar purpose. While details are limited, recent previews have showcased a Skyview Tower with an elevator that takes players to the top.
Caves and Chasms
In addition to new settlements and towers, Tears of the Kingdom introduces caves and chasms that have appeared throughout Hyrule. While not much information is available, these new areas will likely hold secrets and pose threats for players to explore and overcome.
Monster Forts
In Breath of the Wild, monsters would set up camps that players could clear for resources. Tears of the Kingdom takes the concept further by upgrading Bokoblin camps. A trailer showcases a Bokoblin camp with a device that fires lasers and spins, presenting a new challenge for Link. Bokoblins also construct rudimentary bases on top of Stone Taluses, indicating more strategic encounters with enemies.
What are the new abilities in Tears of the Kingdom?
Recall
One of the standout abilities showcased in Tears of the Kingdom is Recall. This power allows Link to rewind an object’s time, granting him the ability to manipulate time itself. Recall stands out among the other abilities because it is the only one with an actual Rune symbol and unique patterns around the centerpiece of the hand. It is depicted as a yellow glow emanating solely from the back of the hand.
Fuse
Fuse is another intriguing ability that Link possesses. It enables him to fuse weapons and materials together, creating new varieties of weapons. This ability showcases the versatility of Link’s new powers and adds a layer of depth to the game’s crafting system.
Ultra Hand
The Ultra Hand ability grants Link the power to pick up objects and attach them to others, allowing him to construct vehicles and other automated structures. This ability taps into Link’s resourcefulness and offers new possibilities for exploration and puzzle-solving.
Ascend
Link’s Ascend ability breaks the barriers of conventional movement by allowing him to pass through ceilings, regardless of their thickness. This ability opens up new avenues for vertical exploration and navigation, allowing players to explore previously inaccessible areas.
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