One Major Story Mistake in Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Before its launch, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) faced immense expectations. Following the groundbreaking innovations seen in Breath of the Wild (BOTW), which reshaped player freedom and exploration, it was a formidable task for TOTK to carve out its own identity. However, the game succeeded in distinguishing itself by taking the foundational ideas of BOTW and elevating them to unprecedented heights.

A significant area where TOTK aspired to improve upon its forerunner is in storytelling. From the very start, the game immerses players in an exhilarating and dynamic adventure, contrasting sharply with the more understated narrative style of BOTW. Nonetheless, in its pursuit of a more expansive storyline, TOTK adopts a critical approach that potentially undermines its narrative depth.

Does TOTK Feel Like A Full Sequel?

The Game Often Fails To Acknowledge Previous Events

On the surface, it is evident that TOTK functions as a direct sequel to BOTW. It utilizes the same game engine and revisits the familiar landscape of Hyrule, enhanced by the addition of sky islands and the Depths. Additionally, the game incorporates many gameplay mechanics such as weapon durability and maintains BOTW’s freeform exploration structure, which empowers players to journey through this vast world at their leisure.

However, an inconsistency arises as players navigate through the narrative. Although several beloved figures from BOTW make a return, the story frequently neglects the previous events, even with the Cataclysm fundamentally shaping the war-torn land featured in TOTK. Furthermore, substantial alterations to the overworld, such as the removal of numerous Sheikah elements—like towers and the Divine Beasts— highlight this disconnect.

The absence of a clear narrative link to BOTW’s storyline is perplexing. TOTK celebrates some elements of its predecessor while simultaneously ignoring crucial plot points that contribute to its rich history. This dichotomy creates an adventure that, while undeniably engaging and frenetic, can sometimes feel disjointed and lacking the contextual depth established in BOTW.

Direct Zelda Sequels Have Had Similar Issues

Majora’s Mask Felt More Like A Standalone Adventure

TOTK is not alone in grappling with its connection to its predecessor; the Zelda franchise has seen direct sequels grapple with similar dilemmas. Majora’s Mask, for instance, directly follows the storyline of Ocarina of Time yet largely refrains from referencing its predecessor, forging its unique path.

What sets Majora’s Mask apart from TOTK is its profound success in cultivating its own identity, which enriches the gaming experience significantly. Although it shares the same assets and engine as Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask transports players to distinctly different realms featuring a largely new ensemble of characters, presenting a darker and more introspective tone. Right from the outset, the game asserts its independence, flourishing in its distinctive vibe.

In contrast, TOTK’s reliance on BOTW’s familiar characters and setting results in a narrative that feels underwhelming. Rarely does the Zelda series offer the chance to revisit familiar faces and landscapes. This presents a significant opportunity for TOTK to delve deeper into the themes and concepts established by its predecessor, taking the story in innovative directions. Regrettably, the game’s attempts to carve out its narrative identity often hinder its ability to connect meaningfully with BOTW’s storyline.

How TOTK Could Have Felt More BOTW

The Game Would Have Benefited With More Connections To BOTW

There are numerous avenues through which TOTK could have harnessed BOTW’s narrative to elevate its own storytelling, especially regarding character arcs. For instance, Princess Zelda’s evolution into a capable leader for her realm—an integral facet of BOTW—remained largely unexplored in TOTK. Although she contributes significantly during her time in the past, the game squanders the chance to showcase her leadership qualities and agency, overlooking an essential aspect of characterization.

The familiar world and gameplay mechanics that BOTW established present a double-edged sword for TOTK, running the risk of making it feel like a mere rehash rather than a genuine progression for the franchise.

Moreover, the narrative could have significantly benefited from leveraging BOTW to enhance the antagonist’s menacing presence. The upheaval caused early in the game serves as a prime opportunity to articulate the reason behind the absence of the Divine Beasts, having been obliterated in the turmoil. This not only provides critical context that seems lacking in TOTK but also emphasizes the far greater danger Ganondorf poses to Hyrule, compared to past threats.

While it’s reasonable for Nintendo to seek ways to differentiate TOTK from BOTW, doing so compromises the opportunity to build upon the strong narrative foundation laid by its predecessor. While the game maintains a sufficient level of entertainment, its divergence from the rich elements established in BOTW ultimately results in a story that fails to fully leverage its potential.

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