The quest “To the Kingdom of Hyrule” begins as Link makes his descent from the Great Sky Island. His primary objective is to reach Lookout Landing, a newly established settlement in central Hyrule Field, to seek out Purah. Lookout Landing appears to be the initial hub in Hyrule, suggesting a shift from previous central locations and highlighting the significant changes the kingdom has undergone. This new settlement will likely serve as the player’s main point of contact for quests and information in the early stages of the game.
The journey to Lookout Landing is not without its own points of interest. Along the path, players can explore the Ranch Ruins and Cave, where they can find a Korok seed, some rupees, encounter a new enemy called the Horriblin, and gather useful resources. Further along, the Mabe Village Ruins and its well offer more opportunities for exploration, yielding rusty weapons, arrows, and various materials such as Glowing Cave Fish, Sticky Lizards, Brightcaps, and ore veins. Even this initial journey to the first major hub is designed to encourage exploration and reward players with valuable resources, reinforcing the open-world nature of the game. These early encounters introduce different types of environments and the potential rewards for venturing off the most direct route.
Upon reaching Lookout Landing, Link needs to locate Purah, who can be found near the large observatory that dominates the settlement. Link’s first interaction is with Josha, Purah’s assistant, who then summons Purah herself. After a brief exchange of information, Purah tasks Link with investigating the “Crisis at Hyrule Castle,” which immediately becomes the next main quest in the unfolding narrative.
This meeting with Purah is a pivotal moment, officially launching the main storyline in Hyrule and providing the player with their next immediate goal. Purah, a returning character from Breath of the Wild, provides a familiar face and a sense of continuity, guiding players into this new chapter of the adventure.
The First Crisis: Hyrule Castle Beckons
The “Crisis at Hyrule Castle” quest begins directly after Link speaks with Purah at Lookout Landing. The immediate objective is to travel to Hyrule Castle, which now floats ominously in the sky to the north of Lookout Landing, to investigate the source of the crisis. It is advisable to activate the Kyononis Shrine, located near the castle, to establish a convenient fast travel point for future use. Players might also encounter Addison near the castle gate, often found struggling to hold up signs, offering an early opportunity for a side activity.
The castle gate itself can be opened using the Ultrahand ability, a reminder of the core skills learned on the Great Sky Island. The immediate focus on Hyrule Castle underscores its central role in the narrative and the urgency of the situation. The sight of the castle floating above, likely radiating the effects of the upheaval, serves as a stark visual representation of the danger facing Hyrule.
Inside the ruined grounds of Hyrule Castle, Link needs to find Captain Hoz, who is positioned on top of the First Gatehouse. Reaching Hoz might require players to utilize their climbing skills or the Ascend ability to navigate the castle’s fractured architecture. Upon reaching Hoz, the search party witnesses a figure resembling Princess Zelda flying into the air, transforming into light, and then vanishing. This mysterious event prompts Hoz to suggest that Link return to Lookout Landing and report this strange occurrence to Purah. The encounter with this illusory Zelda adds a significant layer of mystery and intrigue to the narrative. It suggests that something is not as it seems and that the true whereabouts of Princess Zelda remain unknown, serving as a compelling plot hook that drives the player to seek answers.
Upon returning to Purah at Lookout Landing, she determines that the next step is to upgrade the Purah Pad using the newly activated Skyview Towers. Purah and Josha activate the Lookout Landing Skyview Tower, along with all the other Skyview Towers scattered across Hyrule, revealing the map of the surface world. Link then interacts with the terminal at the top of the tower, scanning the surrounding terrain and adding the map data to his Purah Pad.
Following this, Purah bestows upon Link the Paraglider, a crucial item that will significantly enhance his ability to traverse the vast world. The acquisition of the Paraglider marks a pivotal moment, granting the player a familiar and essential tool for exploration, reminiscent of its importance in Breath of the Wild. The Skyview Towers, and the Paraglider, together encourage players to explore the interconnected world, providing both a means of rapid traversal and a vantage point for surveying the landscape.
Starting the Regional Phenomena Quest
Purah resolves the events at Hyrule Castle temporarily and gives you the Paraglider. She directs your attention to a new major objective of investigating strange phenomena happening in four different regions of Hyrule. The beginning of the large “Regional Phenomena” main quest is marked. Purah conveniently marks the locations of these phenomena on your Purah Pad map. You have some freedom in exploring these regions in any order, but the game subtly suggests starting with Rito Village and the Wind Temple located in the northwestern part of Hyrule. NPCs in Lookout Landing will provide hints or suggestions to head in this direction for your investigation. This quest structure is similar to the main questline of Breath of the Wild, guiding you to different areas of the map to solve specific problems and uncover more of the overall story. It gives you direction while still allowing for open-world exploration.