The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – More Than Just a Sequel

Tears of the Kingdom enhances upon some aspects, while The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild remains a masterpiece.

14 Ways Tears Of The Kingdom Surpasses Breath Of The Wild

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The Nintendo Switch took the gaming world by storm when it was first launched, and a big part of its success can be attributed to the game that captured the hearts of fans worldwide – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It was a portable game with the quality of a home console, and its vast open world offered endless exploration. Fans eagerly awaited its sequel, and now, at the end of the Switch’s lifespan, they finally have it – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

This sequel may initially seem like a rehash of the first game, but there’s so much more to it than what the trailers showed off. Tears of the Kingdom is a testament to the love and effort poured into its development over a six-year period. Many aspects of the game surpass previous entries in the Zelda series, making it a truly remarkable title. So, let’s take a closer look at what makes Tears of the Kingdom stand out from its predecessor –

14. More Enemy Variety – A Wider Array Of Creative Foes To Deal With

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Fans of Tears of the Kingdom will be thrilled to discover a wealth of unique enemies in the game. From brand new foes to modern renditions of past enemies, there is no shortage of creative adversaries to battle against. Notable mentions include the Gibdos, Gleeoks, and Constructs. This expanded enemy variety adds diversity to the gameplay and keeps players engaged throughout their journey.

13. Better Verticality – The Vertically-Layered World Map Is A Lot Of Fun To Traverse

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In Tears of the Kingdom, the inclusion of the Ascend ability adds a new dimension to the exploration experience. Link can now traverse unique locations using Ascend and other abilities, taking advantage of the game’s improved verticality. Whether it’s reaching the Sky Islands or uncovering hidden secrets in high places, the vertically-layered world map offers a dynamic and exhilarating adventure.

12. Less Empty Spaces – Adds Way More Landmarks, Making The World Feel Less Empty

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While Breath of the Wild provided an expansive and serene game world, some players longed for more landmarks and activities to make the open world feel less empty. Tears of the Kingdom addresses this concern by introducing more landmarks and points of interest. The inclusion of Sky Islands, the Depths, and a vibrant overworld breathes life into Hyrule, offering players a rich and fulfilling exploration experience.

11. More Creative Runes – Ultrahand And Fuse Are Game-Changers

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In Tears of the Kingdom, the rune system is taken to new heights. Players can now fuse objects together to create unique weapons, shields, and items. The Ultrahand power allows players to build incredible contraptions, while Ascend serves as a get-out-of-jail-free card for Link. The Recall rune adds versatility to gameplay, offering players a range of actions from undoing mistakes to dealing with volatile projectiles. These expanded rune capabilities enhance both combat and puzzle-solving, making the game even more engaging.

10. Bigger World – The Sky Islands And The Depths Increase The Scale Of The Game World

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Contrary to initial concerns, exploring the same world of Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom proves to be an engaging experience. The addition of the Sky Islands and the underground Depths greatly expands the scale of the game world. These new areas are filled with secrets, encounters, and countless opportunities for exploration. With three layers to the world, Tears of the Kingdom offers an unprecedented and awe-inspiring adventure.

9. Less Irritating Rain – There Are Ways To Circumvent The Annoyances Caused By Climbing In The Rain

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One of the most frustrating aspects of Breath of the Wild was the rain, which often hindered climbing activities. In Tears of the Kingdom, players can overcome this annoyance by crafting Sticky Elixirs with Sticky Frogs. These elixirs provide Slip Resistance, making it easier to navigate through rainy areas. This small but significant improvement enhances the overall gameplay experience and allows for smoother exploration.

8. The Story – Told In A Direct And More Engaging Manner Compared To Its Predecessor

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While the narrative of Breath of the Wild was filled with tragic backstories and a sense of despair, Tears of the Kingdom takes a different approach. The story is told in a more direct and hopeful manner, as Link embarks on a mission to rescue Zelda from impending disaster. The game strikes a balance between dark moments and an overall sense of adventure. This storytelling shift adds a fresh perspective to the Zelda universe and keeps players engaged throughout their journey.

7. The Load Times – Optimized Load Times Make Fast Travel Less Grating

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One of the drawbacks of Breath of the Wild was its long load times, especially during fast travel. In Tears of the Kingdom, load times have been significantly optimized, reducing waiting times to a mere ten seconds. This improvement enhances the fast travel experience, allowing players to seamlessly explore the world without the frustration of lengthy loading screens. Additionally, the game boasts fewer texture glitches, providing a smoother and visually pleasing gameplay experience.

6. That Sense Of Discovery – There Are So Many Things To Find In Tears Of The Kingdom That It Truly Boggles The Mind

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Breath of the Wild introduced players to the awe-inspiring beauty of its giant world, and Tears of the Kingdom takes that sense of wonder to new heights. The addition of sky islands and many more caves to explore adds an element of surprise and discovery. The game world is vast and brimming with secrets, inviting players to immerse themselves in a truly captivating and mind-boggling adventure.

5. The Side Quests – Well-Structured And A Lot Of Fun To Follow Up On, Compared To Their Vague Nature In Breath Of The Wild

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The side quests in Breath of the Wild, while enjoyable, often lacked structure and memorable depth. Tears of the Kingdom improves upon this by offering well-structured and engaging side quests. The travel log helps players keep track of these quests, and interactions with NPCs, especially near stables, add fun and unexpected twists. From talking Cuccos to surprising endings, the side quests in Tears of the Kingdom provide a delightful and rewarding experience.

4. Getting Around – Numerous Options To Travel Around Hastily Across The World Of Hyrule

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While horses are still available in Tears of the Kingdom, the game offers players a plethora of vehicle options. By gathering machine parts and wooden components found throughout Hyrule, players can build their own boats, cars, and even planes. The ability to create and ride these vehicles adds a unique and quirky aspect to the gameplay, reminiscent of the mechanics in Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts. Enhancing the freedom of movement, these vehicles make getting around Hyrule a fast and exciting experience.

3. The Puzzles – The New Abilities Make Puzzles More Dynamic And Engaging

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Shrines make a comeback in Tears of the Kingdom, providing players with opportunities to level up their characters. Completing Shrines offers various rewards, including the choice between a heart or stamina upgrade. These Shrines also serve as fast travel points on the map. However, they offer more than just a means of progression. The puzzles within the Shrines rival the creativity of those found in Portal, making gameplay both dynamic and engaging.

2. Weapon Creation – Fuse Lets Players Create Near-Endless Combination Of Weapons

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Another standout feature of Tears of the Kingdom is the ability to fuse objects and create unique weapons, shields, and items. The Fuse power allows players to experiment with endless combinations. For example, attaching a spear to a wooden pole extends its reach, while placing objects on shields grants special properties. This expanded weapon creation system enhances combat strategies and adds a layer of creativity to puzzle-solving.

1. A Watercolor Painting Come To Life – It’s Unbelievable That Such A Beautiful-Looking Game Works On The Aging Switch Hardware

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Visually, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a stunning masterpiece on the Nintendo Switch. Despite the console’s aging hardware, the game delivers breathtaking graphics and smooth framerates. The world of Tears of the Kingdom comes alive with vibrant colors, detailed landscapes, and mesmerizing visuals. Its visual prowess cements it as one of the best-looking games on the Switch.

Additional Q&A Content:

Q: Are there any significant improvements in Tears of the Kingdom compared to Breath of the Wild?
A: Yes, Tears of the Kingdom features numerous improvements over its predecessor, such as enhanced enemy variety, better verticality, a reduced sense of emptiness in the game world, and more creative runes. These improvements make Tears of the Kingdom a standout game and a worthy sequel.

Q: Can you provide more details on the new vehicles in Tears of the Kingdom?
A: In Tears of the Kingdom, players can build vehicles using machine parts and wooden components found throughout Hyrule. These vehicles offer exciting ways to traverse the game world, including boats, cars, and even planes. Getting around Hyrule has never been more diverse and exhilarating.

Q: How does Tears of the Kingdom address the issue of irritating rain from Breath of the Wild?
A: Tears of the Kingdom offers a solution to climbing in the rain with the introduction of Sticky Elixirs. By crafting these elixirs using Sticky Frogs, players can gain Slip Resistance, alleviating the frustrations caused by rain in the game. This improvement allows for smoother gameplay and uninterrupted exploration.

Q: Are the side quests in Tears of the Kingdom more engaging than those in Breath of the Wild?
A: Yes, the side quests in Tears of the Kingdom are more well-structured and fun to follow up on compared to their vague nature in Breath of the Wild. The travel log helps players track their progress, and the interactions with NPCs throughout the quests add depth and excitement to the overall experience.

Q: How does Tears of the Kingdom compare to other Zelda games in terms of visual quality?
A: Despite the limitations of the aging Switch hardware, Tears of the Kingdom stands as a remarkable achievement in terms of visual quality. Its stunning graphics, smooth framerates, and vibrant colors make it one of the best-looking games on the console. The game is a testament to the dedication and skill of the development team.

References:

  1. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 6 Best Items to Fuse with the Master Sword
  2. 10 Things Tears of the Kingdom Does Better Than Breath of the Wild
  3. Witcher Corvo Bianco Comic Is a Direct Sequel to Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
  4. Geralt of Rivia Voice Actor Doug Cockle Would Love to be in Witcher Games and Netflix Film
  5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – All the Key Details

Now that you’ve learned all about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it’s time to embark on your own unforgettable journey in this stunning sequel. Share your experiences and spread the word about this amazing game, because it deserves to be celebrated. Happy gaming! 🎮🔥✨


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