The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom plunges players into an immediate and captivating experience, diverging sharply from the familiar landscapes of Hyrule established in its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. The game’s opening moments serve as a powerful introduction, seamlessly transitioning from the anticipated return to Hyrule into a brand new mystery unfolding both in the depths beneath Hyrule Castle and the lofty expanse of the Great Sky Island. This dual nature of the prologue ensures that players are immediately engaged by a sense of both familiarity and the unknown, setting the stage for an adventure that promises to be epic in scope and filled with unexpected twists.
Beneath Hyrule Castle: Unraveling the Mystery
The game confidently throws players straight into the action with a cinematic opening sequence. A black screen gives way to the game’s title, presented with a dramatic flair that hints at the grand scale of the adventure to come. This quickly transitions into a scene where Link and Princess Zelda are exploring gloomy passageways located deep beneath Hyrule Castle. The environment is immediately striking, characterized by an ominous atmosphere and the pervasive presence of a mysterious substance known as “Gloom”. Glowing rocks illuminate the path as Zelda leads the exploration, her dialogue hinting at the importance of these ancient ruins and the warnings her father had issued regarding them. For players seeking a visual reference, gameplay walkthrough videos are readily available, offering a firsthand look at this initial environment.
The primary objective during this initial phase is to delve into these ruins alongside Zelda, investigating the source of the unsettling Gloom that has begun to seep up from the depths. Zelda’s deep interest in the ancient structures and inscriptions provides a narrative drive for this exploration. Players are immediately reunited with two iconic characters, Link and Princess Zelda, whose established relationship from Breath of the Wild is evident in their interactions. Zelda’s knowledge of Hyrule’s history and the legends surrounding these subterranean areas becomes a key source of information for the player.
Several significant story elements are introduced within these opening moments. The Gloom itself is presented as a dangerous miasma, its very presence creating a sense of unease. As they venture deeper, murals depicting an ominous legend of a Demon King and the mythical Zonai, an ancient race said to have descended from the heavens to establish the Kingdom of Hyrule, are discovered. The mystery surrounding the Imprisoning War, depicted in obscured sections of these murals, further deepens the narrative intrigue. The prologue culminates in a dramatic and terrifying scene where a seemingly long-deceased skeleton, revealed to be Ganondorf, reawakens. This climactic event, showcasing Ganondorf’s revival, immediately establishes him as the primary antagonist and sets a dangerous tone for the unfolding story. The introduction of the Zonai and the Demon King in this early stage lays the foundation for the central conflict and overarching lore of Tears of the Kingdom, distinguishing it from the narrative focus of the Calamity in Breath of the Wild. This suggests a deliberate shift in the game’s mythology and the nature of the threats Link will face.
Players are granted immediate control of Link during this initial exploration, allowing them to experience the environment firsthand. The basic controls introduced at this stage are intuitive, primarily focusing on movement (walking and running) and interaction with the environment and Zelda through dialogue. The ability to jump (X) and dash (B) is also available, with the game even noting the option to swap these controls in the settings for player comfort. As Link and Zelda proceed, the Master Sword, a symbol of Link’s power, begins to glow ominously, hinting at the dangers ahead and providing an opportunity for players to familiarize themselves with basic combat through practice swings.
A pivotal moment occurs when Link discovers the Decayed Master Sword. This once powerful blade is now weakened, reflecting the dire circumstances. Its initial use is to cut through vines blocking the path, serving as a rudimentary tutorial for weapon interaction and highlighting Link’s diminished state. The exploration then leads to a catastrophic event where Zelda falls into a chasm, and Link is gravely wounded. This separation of the two central characters and the apparent shattering of Hyrule into the sky islands marks a significant turning point in the prologue. Link then awakens in a mysterious Room of Awakening, his corrupted arm now infused with strange, ancient technology, accompanied by a cryptic voice. The loss of the Master Sword’s former glory and Link’s weakened condition immediately establishes a sense of vulnerability and heightened stakes for the player. This contrasts sharply with the powerful state Link achieved by the end of Breath of the Wild, creating a compelling motivation for the player to embark on a journey to regain his strength and uncover the mysteries surrounding this new threat.
The Great Sky Island: A New Beginning and Essential Skills
The narrative then shifts dramatically to the Great Sky Island, a serene and expansive environment floating high above the ravaged Hyrule. This new setting stands in stark contrast to the dark and foreboding depths of Hyrule Castle, offering an open and elevated landscape dotted with pools of water and pathways leading upwards. This area functions as a comprehensive “mini-tutorial,” designed to introduce players to the core gameplay mechanics that will define their adventure.
The primary objectives on the Great Sky Island revolve around completing a series of shrines. These shrines serve as focused tutorials, each dedicated to teaching the player how to use Link’s new abilities. The overarching goal is to power up Link’s corrupted arm by completing these trials, ultimately allowing him to leave the island and return to the surface. The main quest, titled “The Closed Door,” guides the player through this initial phase, providing a clear sense of direction.
Throughout the Great Sky Island, players are reintroduced to basic movement controls, such as running, jumping, and climbing, which are reinforced through the natural exploration of the environment. Combat is also reintroduced, with early encounters against Soldier Constructs providing an opportunity to practice using the Decayed Master Sword and learn basic attack patterns. Helpful Steward Constructs inhabit the island, offering tutorials and basic instructions on various gameplay elements. Players can also access the system menu at any time to review the game’s controls, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the button layout.
The Great Sky Island is where players are introduced to the groundbreaking new abilities that are central to the Tears of the Kingdom experience.
Ultrahand is the first major ability acquired, granted by a Steward Construct. The Ukouh Shrine serves as the initial tutorial for this mechanic, teaching players how to grab, move, rotate, and attach objects. Early applications of Ultrahand include creating bridges to cross gaps and manipulating large objects to solve environmental puzzles. The early and dedicated tutorial for Ultrahand underscores its fundamental importance as a core mechanic in Tears of the Kingdom. This emphasis signals a significant shift towards player creativity and the ability to construct solutions to challenges.
Next, players gain the ability of Fuse. The In-Isa Shrine introduces this mechanic, allowing Link to combine items with his weapons, shields, and arrows to create new and enhanced tools. A prime example of its early use is fusing a boulder to a weapon to create a powerful Boulder Hammer, capable of breaking through obstacles. The early introduction of Fuse encourages players to experiment with different combinations and highlights a new level of resourcefulness in both combat and puzzle-solving. This departs from the more traditional weapon durability system of previous Zelda games, pushing players to think creatively about their available resources.
The Ascend ability is typically learned in the Gutanbac Shrine. This power grants Link the capability to travel vertically through solid surfaces directly above him. Its utility is immediately apparent, allowing for quick access to higher areas, the discovery of hidden items, and new perspectives on the environment. Ascend adds a significant new dimension to exploration, enabling rapid vertical traversal and opening up previously inaccessible areas.
Finally, in the Temple of Time, after an encounter with Princess Zelda’s tear, Link acquires the Recall ability. Recall allows Link to reverse the movement of specific objects. Its initial applications are demonstrated through puzzles involving reversing the direction of rotating wheels to create pathways. Recall introduces a unique time-manipulation element to the gameplay, presenting novel puzzle-solving opportunities and an innovative way to interact with the game world.
Throughout this phase, further story elements and characters are introduced. Rauru, a mysterious Zonai figure, appears to guide Link after his awakening, providing crucial context and direction. Steward Constructs continue to play a role, offering helpful tutorials and basic instructions, ensuring players grasp the fundamentals of the new mechanics. The initial overarching objective of finding Princess Zelda, first established beneath Hyrule Castle, is reinforced on the Great Sky Island, with the Purah Pad providing a map to aid in this quest. The structured tutorial environment of the Great Sky Island is a deliberate design choice, ensuring that players gradually and effectively learn the new mechanics before venturing into the expansive world of Hyrule. This measured approach prevents overwhelming the player with too many new concepts at once, fostering a smoother learning curve.
Players often experience a sense of wonder and initial disorientation upon arriving at the Great Sky Island, a stark contrast to the preceding dark and confined spaces. Mastering the new abilities, particularly the nuanced object manipulation of Ultrahand, can present an initial learning curve. However, the island also serves as an engaging playground for experimentation. Players are encouraged to try out their new powers and discover creative solutions to the environmental challenges presented. This early emphasis on experimentation fosters a sense of discovery and encourages players to think outside the box from the very beginning of their adventure.
Acquired Arsenal: Items and Abilities
During the prologue, players acquire a variety of essential items and powerful new abilities that will shape their journey through Hyrule.
The Decayed Master Sword is found early in the prologue beneath Hyrule Castle. While significantly weakened, it serves as the player’s initial weapon for basic combat and for cutting through obstacles like vines.
The Archaic Legwear is discovered in a treasure chest within the underground ruins. This piece of armor provides a small but helpful boost to Link’s defense in the early stages of the game.
Upon reaching the Great Sky Island, Link receives the Purah Pad from a Steward Construct. This versatile device functions as a map, allows for fast travel to previously visited locations, and will gain further functionalities as the game progresses.
Other items found on the Great Sky Island include the Archaic Tunic, another piece of early armor that increases defense , and Brightbloom Seeds, which can be used to illuminate dark areas, a mechanic that will become increasingly important as players explore caves and the Depths. Players will also encounter Zonai Charges and Crystallized Charges, which are used to power Zonai devices and increase the capacity of Link’s energy cells, respectively. The Archaic Warm Greaves, found later on the island, provide both armor and resistance to cold environments. The Wing, a Zonai device, allows for gliding across short distances. By completing shrines, players earn Light of Blessing, which can be exchanged at Goddess Statues to increase either Link’s maximum health or stamina. Choosing to increase health will grant a Heart Container, permanently raising Link’s maximum health.
The four core abilities acquired during the Great Sky Island prologue are:
Ultrahand: This ability, learned early on, allows Link to grab, move, and attach objects together. It is crucial for solving puzzles, creating makeshift vehicles, and manipulating the environment in countless ways.
Fuse: This ability enables Link to combine items with his weapons, shields, and arrows, granting them new properties and increasing their power. It encourages experimentation and resourcefulness in combat and exploration.
Ascend: This ability provides a unique method of vertical traversal, allowing Link to pass through solid ceilings and reach higher areas quickly. It opens up new possibilities for exploration and puzzle-solving.
Recall: This ability grants Link the power to reverse the movement of specific objects. It is primarily used for solving environmental puzzles and interacting with moving mechanisms in unexpected ways.
Preparing for the Journey Ahead
The prologue of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom serves as a pivotal transition, effectively stripping away the familiar power and setting of Breath of the Wild while equipping players with an entirely new set of tools and a compelling new mystery. Link’s journey begins with loss and vulnerability, but the acquisition of groundbreaking abilities on the Great Sky Island prepares him for the challenges that lie ahead in the drastically altered landscape of Hyrule and beyond. The skills and items obtained during this initial phase are not merely tutorials; they are the foundation upon which players will build their adventure, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and a fresh perspective on the world of Hyrule. The stage is set for an epic quest to uncover the truth behind the upheaval, rescue Princess Zelda, and restore peace to a kingdom facing an unprecedented crisis.