Should You Play Breath of the Wild Before Tears of the Kingdom? A Comprehensive Guide

The burning question on every Zelda fan’s mind: Do you need to play Breath of the Wild (BotW) before diving into Tears of the Kingdom (TotK)? The short answer is no, you don’t need to. Tears of the Kingdom is designed to be enjoyable even for newcomers to the series. However, the experience is significantly enriched if you’ve wandered the vast landscapes of Hyrule in Breath of the Wild beforehand. Think of it like this: you can enjoy a delicious meal without knowing the chef’s backstory, but understanding their journey elevates the experience.

Why Breath of the Wild Enhances Tears of the Kingdom

While Tears of the Kingdom is standalone, playing Breath of the Wild first offers several distinct advantages:

• Familiarity with Hyrule: Tears of the Kingdom reuses the same Hyrule map as Breath of the Wild, albeit with significant additions in the sky and underground. Knowing the locations, landmarks, and general layout from the first game allows you to immediately feel at home and appreciate the changes even more. The sense of discovery is heightened when you recognize a familiar place transformed.

• Character Connection: You’ll have already established relationships with the characters that reappear in Tears of the Kingdom. Seeing their growth, changes, and roles in the new narrative holds more emotional weight when you have a prior connection to them. From the main cast like Zelda and the Champions’ descendants to the smaller, recurring characters, the impact is greater.

• Gameplay Fundamentals: Breath of the Wild introduces the core mechanics that Tears of the Kingdom builds upon. Understanding combat, exploration, puzzle-solving, and resource management in the first game will give you a head start. You’ll be less likely to fumble with the controls and more able to appreciate the refinements and additions made in the sequel.

• Story Context: Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel, picking up after the events of Breath of the Wild. While the game provides some recap, experiencing the original story firsthand creates a deeper understanding of the world, the stakes, and the characters’ motivations. The emotional impact of the narrative resonates more powerfully with prior knowledge.

• Appreciation of Innovation: Tears of the Kingdom introduces groundbreaking new mechanics like Fuse, Ultrahand, Ascend, and Recall. Experiencing these innovations after playing Breath of the Wild highlights their transformative impact on the gameplay and world interaction. You’ll truly appreciate how much the game has evolved.

Why You Can Play Tears of the Kingdom First

Despite the advantages of playing Breath of the Wild first, there are valid reasons why you might choose to jump straight into Tears of the Kingdom:

• Accessibility: You may not have the time or resources to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom. It is completely understandable to want to play the newest release. The game is designed to be accessible to newcomers, providing tutorials and explanations as you progress.

• Intrigue: The hype surrounding Tears of the Kingdom might be too strong to resist. You might be drawn in by the innovative gameplay mechanics, the expanded world, and the promise of a grand adventure. Starting with the sequel could spark your interest in the series and motivate you to play Breath of the Wild later.

• Gameplay Preference: Tears of the Kingdom offers significant improvements and additions to the gameplay of Breath of the Wild. You might prefer to experience the enhanced mechanics and expanded possibilities from the start.

• Recap Videos: A simple online search of a ten minute video will easily fill in what you need to know to follow along.

The Verdict

While you don’t need to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom, it is highly recommended. It elevates the experience, providing a richer context, deeper connection to the characters, and a greater appreciation for the game’s innovations. However, Tears of the Kingdom is also designed to be accessible and enjoyable on its own. Ultimately, the choice is yours, so enjoy your journey through Hyrule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Tears of the Kingdom a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild?

Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. It continues the story and features returning characters.

2. How long after Breath of the Wild does Tears of the Kingdom take place?

The exact time frame is not explicitly stated, but most agree it’s roughly five to six years after the events of Breath of the Wild.

3. Does Tears of the Kingdom have the same map as Breath of the Wild?

Yes, but with significant changes. While it reuses the same Hyrule map, Tears of the Kingdom introduces Sky Islands above and the Depths below, making it a vastly expanded experience.

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

Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is significantly bigger than Breath of the Wild due to the addition of the Sky Islands and the Depths.

5. Can I play Tears of the Kingdom if I’ve never played a Zelda game before?

Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is designed to be accessible even to newcomers to the Zelda series.

6. What are the new gameplay mechanics in Tears of the Kingdom?

Key new mechanics include Fuse, Ultrahand, Ascend, and Recall, which allow for unprecedented creativity and interaction with the environment.

7. Is the story of Tears of the Kingdom understandable without playing Breath of the Wild?

The game provides some recap, but experiencing the original story in Breath of the Wild provides a deeper understanding of the characters and events.

8. Is Tears of the Kingdom harder than Breath of the Wild?

Many players find Tears of the Kingdom to be more challenging than Breath of the Wild, especially due to the introduction of new enemies and the gloom mechanic.

9. Will there be DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?

As of current information, no, Nintendo has stated they were able to implement all of the elements that they wanted to achieve.

10. Which game is better, Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom?

While subjective, many consider Tears of the Kingdom to be the better game due to its enhanced gameplay mechanics, expanded world, and creative possibilities. Breath of the Wild was a tough act to follow, but the developers exceeded expectations.

11. What Zelda game should I play first if I’m new to the series?

Breath of the Wild is an excellent starting point. It’s the most popular and modern Zelda game.

12. Do I need to play other Zelda games before Breath of the Wild?

No, you don’t need to play any other Zelda games before Breath of the Wild. Each game offers a unique, stand-alone story with familiar characters.

13. Is there a timeline I need to follow for the Zelda games?

While there is a complex official timeline, the games can be enjoyed in any order.

14. What makes Zelda II different from other Zelda games?

Zelda II is unique because it uses a platformer perspective and features Link’s ability to jump, which is absent from most other games.

15. Is Tears of the Kingdom worth playing?

Absolutely! Tears of the Kingdom is a worthwhile experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. It offers a unique, innovative, and engaging adventure. The mechanics offer immense freedom in both puzzles and combat, enriching the exploration aspect. The Games Learning Society may find interesting applications of these mechanics within educational contexts, and the world of Hyrule fosters creativity, problem-solving, and persistence. Find more about that at GamesLearningSociety.org.