Do I Need to Finish Breath of the Wild Before Tears of the Kingdom?

The short answer? No, you don’t need to finish Breath of the Wild (BOTW) before diving into Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK). Tears of the Kingdom is designed to be accessible even for newcomers to the world of Hyrule. However, whether or not you should is a different question entirely, and the answer is nuanced. Let’s unpack why.

While Tears of the Kingdom introduces new mechanics, abilities, and challenges, it also builds upon the established world and lore of Breath of the Wild. Think of it as a direct sequel that takes place in the same Hyrule, but years later and dramatically altered. Knowing the landscape, the characters, and the underlying history will undoubtedly enhance your Tears of the Kingdom experience. Veterans of BOTW will recognize familiar locations, understand character relationships, and appreciate the evolution of the world in a way that new players simply can’t.

The core gameplay loop of exploring, solving puzzles, and battling enemies remains consistent between the two games. The basic controls are largely the same, making the transition seamless for returning players. However, Tears of the Kingdom introduces entirely new mechanics like Fuse, Ultrahand, Recall, and Ascend, which provide a fresh and innovative gameplay experience that goes far beyond the gameplay in Breath of the Wild.

Ultimately, playing Breath of the Wild first provides a crucial foundation for understanding and appreciating Tears of the Kingdom. It enriches the narrative, contextualizes the world, and allows you to fully embrace the sequel’s evolution. If you have the time, playing BOTW first is highly recommended. If you’re short on time, you can jump into TOTK but be prepared to possibly experience some spoiler, and not understanding some of the deeper story moments.

Why Playing Breath of the Wild Enhances Tears of the Kingdom

• Familiarity with Hyrule: Tears of the Kingdom reuses the same map, but drastically changes it with floating islands in the sky and a mysterious underground area known as the depths. Understanding Hyrule’s geography from BOTW will make navigating these new areas easier and more rewarding.
• Character Relationships: TOTK builds upon the established relationships from BOTW. Knowing the background of characters like Zelda, the Champions, and the various inhabitants of Hyrule adds emotional weight to their roles in the sequel.
• Gameplay Fundamentals: While Tears of the Kingdom introduces new mechanics, the core gameplay loop of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat remains consistent. BOTW serves as an excellent training ground for mastering these fundamentals.
• Story Context: Tears of the Kingdom directly follows the events of Breath of the Wild. Understanding the Calamity Ganon, the role of the Sheikah technology, and Link’s amnesia will enhance your understanding of the narrative.
• Appreciating Evolution: Playing BOTW allows you to appreciate the significant improvements and changes made in Tears of the Kingdom. From the expanded world to the innovative new mechanics, the sequel feels like a natural evolution of the original.

Tips for Jumping Directly into Tears of the Kingdom

If you decide to skip Breath of the Wild and jump straight into Tears of the Kingdom, here are some tips to make your experience smoother:

• Embrace the Tutorials: TOTK provides tutorials for its new mechanics. Pay close attention and practice them diligently.
• Explore Thoroughly: Take your time to explore the world and discover its secrets. The game rewards curiosity and experimentation.
• Talk to NPCs: Interact with the characters you meet and learn about the world around you. They can provide valuable information and insights.
• Read In-Game Lore: Pay attention to the in-game lore and history. This will help you understand the context of the story and the world.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: There are plenty of online resources and communities dedicated to Tears of the Kingdom. Don’t hesitate to seek help if you get stuck.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Here are 15 of the most frequently asked questions that will help you get started with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom:

1. Is Tears of the Kingdom just Breath of the Wild 2?

While Tears of the Kingdom uses the same map as Breath of the Wild, it’s far more than just a rehash. The addition of the sky islands and the depths, along with completely new gameplay mechanics, makes it a substantial and distinct experience. It is a direct sequel, building upon the narrative and world established in BOTW.

2. How many years is Tears of the Kingdom after Breath of the Wild?

The general consensus is that Tears of the Kingdom takes place roughly 5-6 years after the events of Breath of the Wild. This allows for noticeable changes in the world and the development of characters.

3. Do I start over in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, you start a new game in Tears of the Kingdom. There’s no importing of save data or character progression from Breath of the Wild.

4. Is Tears of the Kingdom a sequel or DLC?

Tears of the Kingdom is a full-fledged sequel to Breath of the Wild, not just a DLC expansion. It features a new story, new mechanics, and a significantly expanded world.

5. Is Tears of the Kingdom the last Zelda game ever?

Tears of the Kingdom is not the end of the Zelda franchise. Nintendo has confirmed that they plan to create more Zelda games in the future. The series has a long and rich history, and Tears of the Kingdom is just the latest chapter.

6. Can I play Tears of the Kingdom if I’ve never played Zelda?

While possible, it is not recommended. You can enjoy Tears of the Kingdom without prior experience in the Zelda series, but you’ll miss a lot of context. Playing Breath of the Wild first is highly recommended to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the world, characters, and story.

7. Is Tears of the Kingdom bigger than Breath of the Wild?

Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is significantly bigger than Breath of the Wild. With the addition of the sky islands and the depths, the game effectively has three layers to explore, making it much larger in terms of content.

8. Is Tears of the Kingdom worth it?

Absolutely! Tears of the Kingdom takes gameplay to a whole new level, surpassing even Breath of the Wild. Its mechanics offer immense freedom in both puzzles and combat, enriching the exploration aspect.

9. Why is Tears of the Kingdom so hard?

Tears of the Kingdom can be challenging due to the increased enemy damage and the introduction of gloom, which depletes your maximum health. However, mastering the new mechanics and learning enemy patterns can make the game more manageable.

10. What is the point of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom?

The point of Tears of the Kingdom is to explore the vast and dynamic world of Hyrule, master Link’s new abilities, and confront the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom. You decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes and uncover the mysteries that lie within.

11. What does it take to 100% Tears of the Kingdom?

Completing Tears of the Kingdom requires completing all main quests, side adventures, shrine quests, and side quests.

12. Is Tears of the Kingdom a dark game?

While Tears of the Kingdom retains the whimsical charm of the Zelda series, it also features darker themes and elements, such as unsettling enemy designs and a sense of unease. The world feels more dangerous, adding a layer of tension to the exploration.

13. How to continue playing Zelda after beating Ganon Tears of the Kingdom?

After defeating Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom, the game returns you to the save file right before the final boss fight. There is no post-game content, but you can continue exploring the world and completing side quests.

14. Does Ganon return in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, Ganondorf returns as the main villain in Tears of the Kingdom. He is a major threat, and Link has to find a way to deal with him.

15. Will Tears of the Kingdom bring back dungeons?

Tears of the Kingdom does include dungeons that call back to classic Zelda design, but they don’t fully return to that format. You won’t find maps or compasses, nor will you discover a key item in them.

Final Thoughts

While not mandatory, playing Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom is highly recommended. It provides a rich foundation of knowledge and context that enhances the sequel’s narrative, gameplay, and overall experience. It will allow you to better appreciate the world and the evolution that the game has taken over time. Either way, both games offer incredible experiences in their own right and are worth playing. The Games Learning Society offers additional insights into the educational aspects of games. Consider visiting GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the potential of games as learning tools.