Overview of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
In Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo is bringing us back to the vast, open-world sandbox of Hyrule that we first fell in love with in Breath of the Wild. But this time, they're taking us to the skies! That's right, the game expands the familiar world of Hyrule by introducing a kingdom above the clouds. With a host of new powers, tools, and items to play around with, it's no wonder that Tears of the Kingdom is one of the most anticipated Switch games of all time.
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Release Information
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom release date is set for May 12, 2023. It was first teased back in 2019 and officially given its title during the Nintendo Direct September 2022 showcase. The game will launch as a Nintendo Switch exclusive, so make sure your Switch is ready for action!
Gameplay, New Abilities, and Vehicles
The gameplay in Tears of the Kingdom builds upon the open traversal and combat systems that defined Breath of the Wild. The world now extends into the skies, with Link leaping from dungeons suspended above the clouds, and using all-new abilities powered by his glowing sword arm instead of the Sheikah Slate.
As for the new abilities, get ready for:
Recall: Rewind time and the path of physical objects.
Fuse: Create instant combinations of different weapons and items.
Ultrahand: Combine objects and items to create unique structures.
Ascend: Teleport vertically to new platforms and locations.
With these abilities, you'll have even more ways to experiment in the vast sandbox of Hyrule.
Now, let's talk vehicles. The Ultrahand ability allows players to create a variety of unique vehicles, which will enable Link to explore Hyrule at high speed and traverse the expansive sky kingdom above the clouds. This innovative addition promises to take the Breath of the Wild experience to new heights (literally!).
The Game's Story and Setting
Nintendo has been quite secretive about the game's story, even withholding the title, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to avoid revealing too much. However, from what we've gathered so far, it seems that the resurrected corpse of Ganon is at the center of the plot, with Malice spreading across Hyrule once again.
The game's subtitle, "Tears of the Kingdom," has fans speculating about possible connections to Zelda: Twilight Princess, given the prominence of "tears" in that GameCube adventure.
As for the setting, we're returning to the world of Breath of the Wild, but with an added dimension – the skies. Link can now move between floating islands and dungeons, giving players a more vertical playspace to explore. Interestingly, Nintendo has hinted that Tears of the Kingdom "will take you up into the skies and an expanded world that goes beyond that," so there might be even more surprises in store for us.
In Conclusion
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is shaping up to be an extraordinary addition to the beloved franchise. With an expanded world, new abilities, and a mysterious story, this game is sure to capture the hearts of both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Mark your calendars for May 12, 2023, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the skies of Hyrule.
In the meantime, why not revisit Breath of the Wild or take a trip back in time with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD? After all, the expanded world in Tears of the Kingdom seems to have some synergy with Skyward Sword, so it's the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the series' history.