The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, continuing the story of Link and Zelda in Hyrule. The game expands on the world with new areas like sky islands and depths, while introducing new abilities and mechanics such as Recall and Fuse. Players can explore a Hyrule ravaged by an ‘upheaval’, facing a resurrected Ganondorf and uncovering the history of Zonai civilisation.
The game is extremely popular and it achieved massive sales figures, with 10 million copies sold in its first three days and over 21 million copies sold by March 2025. It is popular due to its expansive world, engaging story, and innovative building mechanics. The game expands on the previous game’s open-world freedom with new abilities, a deeper narrative, and areas to explore, making it a highly anticipated and critically acclaimed sequel. This article will further discuss Tears of the Kingdom and everything players need to know. So, keep reading to learn more.
All About Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom takes place after Breath of the Wild, with Link and Zelda investigating a mysterious caravan beneath Hyrule Castle. In this sequel, Link gains new abilities like Recall (reversing object movement), Fuse (combining items), and Ultrahand (building structures). The game features sky islands and depths, thus expanding the playable area beyond the surface of Hyrule.
The story involves a resurrected Ganondorf, the ‘Imprisoning War’ between the Zonai and the Demon King, and Zelda’s journey into the past. Tears of the Kingdom explores the themes of sacrifice, rebuilding, and the consequences of freedom, emphasising the importance of collaboration and resilience.
The game delves deeper into the history and lore of the Zonai, an ancient race that played a significant role in Hyrule’s past. When Link interacts with the dragon’s tears in the geoglyphs, he experiences visions of Zelda’s past, showcasing the history of Hyrule and the founding of the kingdom. As for the gameplay, players can freely explore Hyrile, the sky islands, and the depths. The game incorporates puzzles that utilise Link’s new abilities and the environment.
Link faces various enemies, including Ganondorf and his forces, using his weapons and abilities. Players follow the main quest line, gathering sages and uncovering the truth about Zelda’s disappearance and Ganondorf’s resurrection. The game concludes with a battle against Ganondorf, the revelation of Zelda’s transformation into a Light Dragon, and the restoration of Hyrule.
A Detailed Guide on Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom offers a vast open world with numerous opportunities for exploration and combat. When you get started with the game, focus on obtaining the paraglider to explore Skyview Towers and Shrines, and experimenting with the Fuse ability to combine items for unique weapons and effects.
Always prioritise upgrading your heart and stamina, and do not hesitate to use Recall on projectiles or fuse materials to create powerful traps. Here is a detailed breakdown of the game:
Early Game Essentials
- Paraglider- Ensure you obtain the paraglider early to explore the skies and access new areas.
- Fuse- Experiment with the Fuse ability to combine various items with weapons, shields, and arrows for enhanced effects and unique combat options.
- Skyview Towers and Shrines- Visiting these locations will reveal parts of the map, unlock fast travel points, and earn Blessings of Light for upgrades.
- Hearts and stamina- Always prioritise upgrading your heart containers and stamina at Shrines, especially early on, to avoid being easily defeated.
- Armour- Find and equip armour sets that offer specific resistances, like fireproof or shock resistance, to help you navigate challenging environments.
- Cooking and Elixirs- Learn how to cook meals and craft elixirs to replenish health and stamina, and to gain temporary buffs.
Exploration and Combat
- Hyrule’s depths- First off, explore the vast underground area, using Brightbloom seeds to light your path and locate Lightroots, which mirror surface shrines and offer fast travel.
- Traps- Utilise construction materials like logs and wheels to create rotating traps, especially in choke points, to deal with enemies effectively.
- Mini-bosses- Do not be afraid to mark difficult mini-bosses on the map and return to them when you are better equipped.
- Wells, caves, and chasms- Venture into these hidden locations to obtain valuable resources, including materials to help you survive harsh environments.
- Horses- Try taming the horses to traverse Hyrule’s roads quickly and efficiently.
Important Tips and Tricks
- Enemy encounters- Ensure you avoid unnecessary combat early on, and rather focus on gathering resources and upgrading your character.
- Weapon durability- Be mindful of weapon durability and prioritise upgrading the weapon slots.
- Recall- Use the Recall ability to return projectiles at enemies or to activate mechanisms.
- Map- Utilise the interactive map on websites like Zelda Dungeon to track your progress and locate points of interest.
- Dialogue- Try to engage in conversations with NPCs, as they can provide valuable clues and hints for quests.
- Sleep- Always sleep in beds to fully restore your health.
Tips for Getting Started
The most important thing to remember while getting started in the game is to obtain a paraglider early to explore the world efficiently. Fuse everything and don’t be afraid to experiment with fusing items to see what unique effects you can create.
Understand that visiting Skyview Towers and Shrines will offer fast travel points and challenges that will help you get familiar with the world. Also, exploring the Depths and Sky Islands provides several challenges and rewards that are worth seeking out. Ensure you save arrows and use bomb flowers, as the bomb flowers can be fused to arrows for powerful ranged attacks.
Keep your inventory organised and sort your materials for easy access during crafting and combat. Master Recall to solve puzzles and reach new heights, and consider upgrading your armour to increase your defence and survivability. Try learning new recipes and creating a variety of dishes and elixirs to help you on your journey. Know that the game encourages creative problem-solving, so do not be afraid to try out new things.
Conclusion
Tears of the Kingdom is a sprawling adventure game with a wealth of new mechanics and content. To get the most out of the journey throughout the game, try focusing on mastering the new abilities like Ultrahand and Fuse, exploring the interconnected world of Hyrule, the Depths, and the Sky Islands.
Also, make use of Skyview Towers and Sky Islands for fast travel and exploration. While playing, pay attention to your surroundings, as materials respawn and can be used to your advantage later. Ensure you remember to save frequently to avoid losing progress, especially when exploring new and potentially dangerous areas.
