Tears of the Kingdom vs. Breath of the Wild: Which Zelda Game Reigns Supreme?

Is 'Tears of the Kingdom' a Superior Sequel to 'Breath of the Wild'?

10 Ways Breath of the Wild Outshines Tears of the Kingdom

Let’s dive into the world of Hyrule once again, fellow gamers, as we compare the legendary “Tears of the Kingdom” with its beloved predecessor, “Breath of the Wild.” Both games have captured the hearts of millions of players, but do they both hold up under scrutiny? Let’s find out!

💥 10 Gameplay is More Forgiving

No Gloom

Tears of the Kingdom is not for the faint-hearted, my friends. This game is less forgiving to beginners compared to Breath of the Wild. The tutorial mode in Tears of the Kingdom is much longer and can take up to an hour or two, unlike the relatively shorter tutorial in Breath of the Wild. This mainly stems from the introduction of Link’s new Abilities in TotK. While in Breath of the Wild, Link received the paraglider from King Rhoam after completing the tutorial, in TotK, poor Rauru does his best to help, but he doesn’t have any parting gifts when Link leaves the Great Sky Island.

Moreover, the monsters and minibosses in Tears of the Kingdom are tougher than their Breath of the Wild counterparts. Even though Guardian Stalkers in Breath of the Wild were formidable foes, the stronger enemies in Tears of the Kingdom truly test your mettle. So, if you’re new to the series, be prepared for a challenging adventure in Tears of the Kingdom. But fear not, fellow gamers, for greatness awaits you!

🎮 9 Shrine Trials

Sheikah Shrines vs. Shrines of Light

Ah, the beloved Shrine Trials. In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, these trials are crucial for building up Link’s health and stamina. However, there are notable differences between the two games.

The Sheikah Shrines in Breath of the Wild offer more creativity and variety compared to the Shrines of Light in Tears of the Kingdom. Many of the Shrine Trials in TotK are more like tutorials, teaching players basic gameplay mechanics such as throwing items or executing sneak attacks. This lack of creativity in Trials is a letdown for seasoned players looking for unique challenges.

On the other hand, the Sheikah Shrines in Breath of the Wild often present intricate puzzles that push players to think creatively. Each Shrine is an opportunity for the Sheikah Monks to test Link, ensuring he has what it takes to stop Calamity Ganon. The absence of this challenging aspect in Tears of the Kingdom is a missed opportunity.

🔥 8 Elemental Weapons

Flamespears, Bomb Arrows, and More

Ah, elemental weapons! Those fiery, icy, and electric tools of destruction that add a whole new level of strategy to combat. In Breath of the Wild, players could obtain and utilize these weapons, but at a cost. Elemental Arrows and Bomb Arrows were particularly expensive. Tears of the Kingdom, however, introduced a new mechanic called “Fuse.” This allows Link to craft his own elemental weapons by attaching certain materials to regular weapons.

While fusing elemental weapons offers more versatility, it falls short in terms of attack power compared to original elemental weapons in Breath of the Wild. Another drawback in Tears of the Kingdom is that all arrows come from the same quiver. In Breath of the Wild, different types of arrows were split into categories, making it easier for players to manage their ammo.

So, while Tears of the Kingdom adds flexibility in weapon customization, it comes at a cost of reduced attack power and a less convenient arrow system. Choose wisely, fellow adventurers, as the right weapon can make all the difference!

💰 7 The Price of Ore

Ambers to Diamonds

Ah, rupees, the lifeblood of Link’s adventures. In Breath of the Wild, selling ore was a lucrative way to amass rupees. However, in Tears of the Kingdom, the price of Amber Ore has plummeted by 20 rupees due to “The Upheaval.” While ore is more abundant in TotK, the appearance of rare ore, such as Sapphires and Diamonds, has become even rarer. The developers claim The Upheaval is to blame for this decrease in availability, but players are struggling to scrape together enough rupees in TotK.

It doesn’t help that TotK introduces a cost to upgrade armor, which was free in Breath of the Wild. Moreover, players now have to buy armor again in TotK, adding to the financial burden. Money farming has become a frustrating part of Tears of the Kingdom, with fans even resorting to glitches to obtain expensive items to sell.

So, if you’re chasing those elusive rupees, Breath of the Wild is your best bet. Just watch out for those Blupees you might have to catch!

🕹️ 6 The Sheikah Slate

Sheikah Runes

Ah, the all-powerful Sheikah Slate! In Breath of the Wild, this fascinating device granted Link the ability to unleash runes such as Magnesis, Bombs, Stasis, and Cryonis. These runes added extra layers of exploration and puzzle-solving opportunities. However, Tears of the Kingdom replaces the Sheikah Slate with Link’s hand abilities called Ultrahand and Fuse.

While Ultrahand and Fuse allow for more creativity and unique weapon fusions, they cannot replicate the diversity and usefulness offered by the Sheikah Runes in Breath of the Wild. The absence of certain runes, like the Bomb Rune, leaves players longing for more versatile and engaging gameplay mechanics in Tears of the Kingdom.

⚔️ 5 The Champions’ Abilities

Grace, Gale, Protection, and Fury

Breath of the Wild introduced us to the Champions and their abilities, obtained by freeing them from the Divine Beasts. These abilities, Mipha’s Grace, Revali’s Gale, Daruk’s Protection, and Urbosa’s Fury, added an extra layer of excitement and strategy to battles and exploration.

Tears of the Kingdom, however, replaces the Champions’ abilities with the Sages’ Vows. In TotK, the Sages manifest as avatars fighting alongside Link. While this concept sounds great on paper, using the Sages’ abilities can be frustrating, as they often charge at enemies autonomously. Accidentally activating the wrong ability can disrupt gameplay and waste precious resources.

In contrast, Breath of the Wild’s implementation of the Champions’ abilities was more seamless, allowing players to directly control and unleash their unique powers. This aspect of TotK could have been improved to match the level of engagement and satisfaction provided by the Champions’ abilities in Breath of the Wild.

🎶 4 Kass

Rito Minstrel

Ah, Kass, the charming Rito minstrel. Who could forget his melodies and cryptic hints in Breath of the Wild? Unfortunately, Kass is conspicuously absent in Tears of the Kingdom, leaving fans yearning for his musical presence. While Kass was not a main character in Breath of the Wild, his appearances near stables and hidden Sheikah Shrines greatly added to the game’s atmosphere.

Tears of the Kingdom introduces a new traveling Rito named Penn, who serves as a substitute for Kass. While Penn does mention Kass in one of his encounters, it’s clear that Kass’s whereabouts remain a mystery. It seems that the developers of TotK decided to focus on new characters and storylines rather than continuing with Kass’s involvement.

So, for those who cherished Kass’s tunes and his contribution to the mysteries of Hyrule, Breath of the Wild will be your treasure trove of musical delights.

🗺️ 3 Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass

The Master Trials & The Champions’ Ballad

Ah, the joy of DLCs! Breath of the Wild’s expansion pass treated us to two fantastic additions: The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad. These expansions not only provided additional content but also delved deeper into the story and characters of Breath of the Wild.

The Master Trials introduced challenging trials, cameo armors, and unlocked the true power of the Master Sword. The Champions’ Ballad, on the other hand, focused on the Champions themselves, providing more background and personality to these beloved characters. The DLC story culminated in an epic battle against the formidable Monk Maz Koshia.

Regrettably, Tears of the Kingdom does not continue with additional expansions. The developers have announced that they have no plans to develop any further content for TotK. While not every game needs an expansion pack, it does leave fans with lingering questions about pre-existing characters and untapped lore.

So, if you crave more adventures in the expansive world of Hyrule, Breath of the Wild’s expansion pass is a treasure trove of thrilling content.

🐉 2 Farming Dragon Materials

Dinraal, Naydra, and Farosh

Ah, the majestic dragons of Hyrule! These powerful beings, Dinraal, Naydra, and Farosh, add a touch of mysticism to the world of Breath of the Wild. Players could farm parts from these dragons by shooting them in specific areas, allowing for upgrades to their armor.

Unfortunately, Tears of the Kingdom alters the dragon farming mechanic. While the dragons’ flight paths remain, they no longer appear at specific times. Also, there is now a ten-minute real-time cooldown for each dragon before they can be farmed again. This change, coupled with the hazardous effects of certain dragons, such as freezing, burning, or electrocuting Link, makes farming dragon materials more time-consuming and challenging in TotK.

On the bright side, Link can freely climb and traverse the dragons’ bodies, providing some respite during those cooldown periods. But beware, the dangers that these powerful beasts pose can be a hindrance to your farming endeavors.

📷 1 Locked Mementos

Link’s Memories

Finally, we come to the story-driven aspect of the games. Breath of the Wild introduced the “Locked Mementos” quest, allowing players to unlock Link’s memories and delve into the tragedy of the Calamity. These memories painted a deeply personal picture of Link’s journey and his relationships with the Champions and Princess Zelda.

Tears of the Kingdom focuses more on Princess Zelda’s perspective, while Link’s memories take a backseat. This shift in focus leaves Link’s character development lacking, as the connection he had with the Champions in Breath of the Wild is not replicated in TotK. This absence may impact players new to the series who haven’t experienced the growth of Link and Zelda’s relationship from scratch.

While Tears of the Kingdom offers a fresh perspective on the story, the depth of character development achieved in Breath of the Wild through Link’s memories remains unmatched.

🎮 Conclusion: Which Game Reigns Supreme?

In the battle between Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, it’s clear that both games have their strengths and weaknesses. Tears of the Kingdom introduces new gameplay mechanics and captivating storylines, building on the success of Breath of the Wild. However, Breath of the Wild offers more forgiving gameplay, creative shrine trials, and a deeper connection between Link and the Champions.

Ultimately, the choice between the two games comes down to personal preference. If you seek a more challenging and inventive adventure, Tears of the Kingdom awaits you. But if you long for a more forgiving yet deeply engaging experience, set forth on your journey in Breath of the Wild.

So, gather your courage, sharpen your sword, and embark on your chosen quest, fellow gamers! Hyrule awaits your heroics!

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🎮 What are your thoughts on Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild? Which one steals your heart as the ultimate Zelda game? Share your opinions in the comments below and spark a lively gaming debate! And don’t forget to share this article with your fellow gamers on social media. May the Triforce be with you! 🗡️✨

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