From Link's costumes to the incredible Master Sword quest, Tears of the Kingdom is a love letter to The Legend of Zelda franchise.
Classic Link and Tears of the Kingdom Zelda hold versions of the Master Swor
SUMMARY
- Tears of the Kingdom brings back the excitement of finding the Master Sword, proving that the Zelda franchise hasn't forgotten its roots.
- The quest to obtain the Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom is nostalgic, filled with references to past games and dramatic cutscenes that highlight the turning point of the game.
- Tears of the Kingdom shows sentimentality and respect for past games through its collectibles, rewarding players who explore the world and find iconic items, even though they may not have practical use.
Finding the Master Sword has always been one of the more exciting parts of the Zelda franchise, with every entry hearkening back to older games while maintaining a unique style. Tears of the Kingdom pushes this concept even further, especially given how the Master Sword was little more than an Easter egg in Breath of the Wild. Even with all the changes Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have brought to the Zelda franchise, the Master Sword quest in Tears of the Kingdom proves the games haven’t forgotten their roots.
Every Zelda game to include the Master Sword often has a huge build-up to its reveal, with a quest line or event where Link must prove himself worthy to wield it. The Master Sword is usually the most powerful weapon in the games it appears in, and it has the ability to banish evil.
Narratively, the Master Sword tends to act as the turning point for the game, showing that Link is ready to face whatever challenges are to come. Whether that be by sealing him away for seven years or banishing his wolf form, the Master Sword cutscene is often dramatic and impressive. Breath of the Wild might have fallen short when it came to revealing the Master Sword, but Tears of the Kingdom more than makes up for it.
The Build-Up to the Master Sword Is Incredibly Nostalgic
The Master Sword is revealed by the player through one of two routes that can be completed in any order. Players can either find the Deku Tree from the Depths or finish The Dragon's Tears quest. Players who take the former route are treated to quite a few references to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time -- as they rise from the Depths into the Lost Woods, they find the Deku Tree silent and unwell. They must venture deep into a cavern inside him and defeat some Gloom Hands.
For most players, this is likely the first time they've slain Gloom Hands, meaning the fact that they summon Phantom Ganon will come as a surprise. In a way, this series of events functions as wish fulfillment for those who have played Ocarina of Time. Playing as child Link, players wanted to save the Deku Tree from Ganon's curse, and it is only now, 25 years later, that players can finally cleanse him. After the Deku Tree is rescued, a moving marker is placed on the player's map, indicating that the Master Sword is somehow traveling the world.
The Dragon's Tears quest, on the other hand, works as a nice compliment to its counterpart. For players who find every geoglyph and watch every memory, they will be treated to the sight of the Light Dragon taking off into the sky, the Master Sword bored into its forehead. Watching all the memories is, for the most part, an effort in seeing everything new that Tears of the Kingdom brings to the table. There are some elements from older games, like how Rauru is reworked as a character from his role in Ocarina of Time, but for the most part, The Dragon's Tears quest is the game proving its own identity.
The Game Shows Sentimentality Through Its Collectibles
One change Tears of the Kingdom made from Breath of the Wild was the sheer amount of collectibles that became available for players who don't own Amiibo figures. In Breath of the Wild, players could scan Amiibos to collect the iconic green tunics and hats of past heroes and dress their Link up as Wind Waker Link or Twilight Princess Link or even the very first hero of the series. In Tears of the Kingdom, these items are available for keen-eyed players intent on exploring the Depths, and can be found in chests throughout the deepest corners of Hyrule.
By making these items a reward for players willing to explore the world rather than a reward for those willing to buy Amiibos, Tears of the Kingdom shows off its respect for past games. That said, there is one thing to note about most of these costumes: they don't do anything. They are cosmetic items that are outclassed by gear native to Tears of the Kingdom, and while this is perhaps the best option if the game is to stand on itsown, it does put a hitch in nostalgic players' plans.
Breath of the Wild was about setting itself apart from previous games, so it makes sense that these collectibles were less accessible. Perhaps, by being more open about its connection to past games, Tears of the Kingdom is proving that future games in the series will be more like the games that came before Breath of the Wild, or, at the very least, a hybrid between the two genres.
Zelda Remains the Heart of the Franchise
When players finish the Master Sword quest, they will realize that not only is the quest a love letter to Zelda as a franchise, but as a character. While Breath of the Wild had her take part in the plot, she was sealed away for a hundred years, out of sight and, for the most part, out of mind. When Zelda players finally realize who the Light Dragon is, every time they see it they are reminded of how much Zelda sacrificed to make the events of the game possible. Zelda has more agency than ever before, and hopefully fans' positive reactions to that agency will prove themselves catalysts to make her playable in future titles.
Though Link is the player's character, he isn't truly fleshed-out in the way Zelda is. Zelda's memories -- both in Breath of the Wild and in Tears of the Kingdom -- do the bulk of the storytelling in their respective games, and it's Zelda that grows and changes as a character. She is the one with the story arc, just as she is the one who develops in Wind Waker or Ocarina of Time. The games have never been about Link, because that's all he's ever been: a link between the player and the game.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom cements itself as something both new and old. Old and new fans alike have opportunities to find something special in this game, nostalgic or otherwise. Finding the Master Sword is arguably the climax of the game, and whether players go through the Depths and save the Deku Tree or watch all the Dragon's Tear memories, they are rewarded with the care and love the developers have for this franchise. As Link pulls the Master Sword from the Light Dragon's forehead, as the music swells and the Light Dragon hangs coiled in the sky, the newest era of the Zelda franchise comes to a close.
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