Gaming News Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: Is it as important a year later as Breath of the Wild was at the time?
That’s it, Zelda Tears of the Kingom is celebrating its one year anniversary. On this occasion I’ll come back to my expectations and impressions of Link’s latest adventures (Hello, I’m Indee). Happy Birthday !
It may be a trick of the ocarina of time, but damn how time flies. Zelda Tears of the Kingdom – released on May 12, 2023 – is already blowing out its first candle, and as tradition demands, it’s time to take stock… Finally, what should you remember from Link’s latest adventures? Is it a game as impressive as Breath of the Wild, is it comparable to the latter, is it quite the opposite? To properly celebrate this anniversary, we will try to answer these little questions.
Check out The Legend of Zelda: Tears of Kingdom on Amazon
Huge treasure hunt
Like almost everyone else, I was waiting for Tears of the Kingdom like crazy, like a soldier, like a movie star. Breath of the Wild’s incredibly open, uninterrupted approach had largely won me over, and I examined (attentively) the smallest new image. The arrival of TOTK initially looked like a fantastic treasure hunt: What is this terrible mummy waiting for beneath Hyrule Castle? Why is Left’s arm glowing? Is Zelda in danger? Questions that would be more or less answered with the release of new trailers! In 2021, two years after the first trailer (where Nintendo was still talking about a “sequel to Breath of the Wild”), the Japanese company is revealing its flying islands and some of the new powers of the Hero of Time, especially those that allow him , to traverse the material… In 2022 we will finally know the title of this new work, Tears of the Kingdom, which will also give rise to other theories. Then we got a glimpse of the vehicles and weapon fusion.
(The first trailer for the “Sequel to Breath of the Wild” at E3 2019)
At this point, I have not yet intellectualized my expectations. The promise of escape and reverie created by this playground in the sky | Link’s aerial stunts were enough to make me smile happily. Not to mention the staging and soundtrack of the last trailer (the one from April 2023 – just before release) shocked me. At the end, on May 12th, I welcomed Zelda Tears of the Kingdom the way we greet a new episode of a favorite series, in a quasi-religious state. I was so excited to travel through the lands of Hyrule from Breath of the Wild again. And this trip did not disappoint me at all.
Magic at the bar
It is common knowledge that certain video games are believed to have a form of magic. For me (and for many others) The Legend of Zelda is the perfect incarnation… A credit we undoubtedly give to this mix of colorful “Ghibli-like” universe and timeless themes – both musical and those underlying the plot – have to thank. All sprinkled with a beautiful Proust madeleine! As far as I’m concerned, Zelda, especially since Breath of the Wild, are the rare adventures that make me lose track of time
Things to do, everywhere
While I’m not one to find 2017’s Zelda empty, I do find the 2023 opus to admirably occupy our walks in Hyrule. Between access to the flying islands, the underground passages, the crafting vehicles and the sanctuaries, there’s never a dull moment. In addition, Tears of the Kingdom puts a lot more emphasis on exploration than before. I for one can’t count the number of times I’ve taken a rock elevator into the sky, built a plane with another flying island in its sights, and then actually landed on the other side of the map. They are unexpected events that create unique memories.
Find a unique taste
In 2017, BOTW revolutionized the open world and changed the way we think about it forever, that’s a fact. I don’t think you can expect the same from Tears of the Kingdom… As every time there is such a breaking point in video games, the following episode must above all build on this revolution – and add some twists to it. Take Assassin’s Creed 2 or Zelda Majora’s Mask for example. Who complains about such adventures? Especially since Breath of the Wild is not a draft that only comes into play later in TOTK. It is an open, innovative and impeccable proposal. How can we make it “better”? I don’t even know if that’s possible. What I do know is that despite minor flaws (lack of variety in the islands in the sky, underground passageways that are probably too “big”), Tears of the Kingdom made me want to give the adventure another go with a capital “A”. BOTH experience. A sensation that is too rare to be banned preferably or less well.
This page contains affiliate links to specific products selected by JV for you. Any purchase you make by clicking on one of these links will not cost you more, but the e-retailer will pay us a commission. The prices shown in the article are those offered by the retailer sites at the time the article was published. These prices may vary at the sole discretion of the merchant site without notice to JV.
Learn more.
Table of Contents