Does Link Still Have a House in Tears of the Kingdom?
The short answer is: not the house you remember. While Link doesn’t retain his cozy Hateno Village abode from Breath of the Wild in Tears of the Kingdom, he gains the ability to build a customizable dream home in Tarrey Town. This significant change in housing options reflects the evolved gameplay and narrative of the sequel, leaving players with both a sense of loss and a fresh opportunity for creative expression.
The Fate of Link’s Hateno Home
The most jarring discovery for returning Breath of the Wild players is that Link’s humble Hateno Village house has been repossessed by Princess Zelda. In Tears of the Kingdom, the house is now referred to as “Zelda’s Home” and has undergone significant interior redecorating. The only remnants of Link’s previous residence are the framed picture of the Champions from the DLC, still hanging upstairs near the bed. It’s a bittersweet moment, acknowledging the past while fully embracing the new chapter.
This plot point has fueled much speculation among fans. The game subtly hints at a deeper relationship between Link and Zelda, with the commandeering of Link’s house seemingly implying they might be living together. However, the game also throws some curveballs, with some characters in the game suggesting that Link has never been to Hateno Village before, creating a fascinating mystery and debate amongst players. The simplest explanation might be that, in TotK, that’s simply not his house, and it never has been.
The Housing System in Tarrey Town
Link’s housing situation in Tears of the Kingdom is completely different than in Breath of the Wild. Instead of a fixed location, you can now create a personalized home using a shipping container-esque customization system in Tarrey Town. This allows for a much greater degree of control over your living space, enabling you to construct a unique home that reflects your individual tastes and needs.
This housing system is a core part of Tarrey Town’s rebuilding efforts. By engaging with the local community, you gain access to various rooms and modifications to create a multi-room structure. Players can choose to build a kitchen, a bedroom, a study, and even a garden, all within this flexible system. While it doesn’t replace the sentimentality of the Hateno house, it provides a robust new method of player expression.
A New Approach to Home Ownership
The switch from a pre-built home to a customizable one showcases Tears of the Kingdom’s dedication to player agency. Instead of simply owning a fixed property, you become an active architect of your own space. This reflects the central theme of the game which is, creating and manipulating objects.
The ability to build multiple rooms and customize their placement offers a depth of gameplay absent in Breath of the Wild. Players can purchase numerous rooms, but are only allowed to use 15 at a time. This allows for a strategic approach to housing, enabling you to curate the optimal space based on your priorities in the game.
While it may be disappointing that Link lost his original house, the new housing system provides a dynamic and engaging experience that fits seamlessly into the overall gameplay of Tears of the Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions that players might have regarding Link’s housing situation and related aspects of Tears of the Kingdom:
1. Why is Link’s old house now Zelda’s?
The game suggests that Zelda took over Link’s old house, and it is now referred to as “Zelda’s Home.” The most straightforward explanation is that it was never Link’s house to begin with. The game also hints that Link and Zelda may have a romantic relationship, but the details remain vague. The true nature of their relationship and the property ownership remains up for interpretation.
2. Can I get more than 15 rooms for my house in Tarrey Town?
You can purchase an unlimited number of rooms, but you can only use 15 rooms in your house at a time. This limitation encourages players to make thoughtful choices when designing their living space.
3. Is buying a house in Tears of the Kingdom worth it?
Absolutely. Having a house offers a convenient location to sleep and restore health for free. It can also be useful for completing quests and managing resources. In short, the flexibility and benefits make it worth the investment.
4. Can Link and Zelda live together in Tears of the Kingdom?
The game subtly implies that Link and Zelda are in some kind of relationship, but it’s not explicitly confirmed. The fact that Zelda has taken over Link’s old home in Hateno Village may further suggest this. However, it is not explicitly shown that they live together.
5. What happened to Link’s arm in Tears of the Kingdom?
Ganondorf destroyed Link’s arm, and Rauru replaced it with a mechanical one that allows him to communicate. This is a crucial plot point in the game that motivates much of the narrative.
6. How old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Link is approximately 122-125 years old in Tears of the Kingdom. Since he was roughly 117 in Breath of the Wild, the time between games places him at this older age.
7. Is there any DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
According to the developers, there will not be any DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. They state that they implemented everything they wanted to achieve in this game’s world and story.
8. Did Link lose his house in Tears of the Kingdom?
Technically, yes. He no longer owns the Hateno Village house. It is now “Zelda’s Home” in the game.
9. Has Link ever been a girl in The Legend of Zelda series?
While there was an official female version of Link presented in some early concept art for the original Legend of Zelda, Link has primarily been the series’ male protagonist.
10. Where is Zelda’s secret room in Tears of the Kingdom?
Zelda’s secret room is located behind the blessing room, turned inward, and it is only accessible by ascending from the second floor of the house.
11. Who is the final boss in Tears of the Kingdom?
The final boss that Link battles against is Ganondorf. The game centers on the long journey to prepare for this confrontation.
12. Will Tears of the Kingdom be the last Zelda game?
Tears of the Kingdom is not the end of the Zelda series, and there will likely be new installments of the franchise in the future.
13. Is Link a half-elf?
Link is a Hylian, which is a sort of elf-human hybrid in the Legend of Zelda universe. While similar to elves, he is not a canonical elf as the games do not take place in an earth-based fantasy world.
14. Can you still play after beating the final boss in Tears of the Kingdom?
You cannot continue playing the story past the end of the game. However, you can reload a save point before the final fight and continue exploring and completing objectives.
15. Why is Link shirtless at the end of Tears of the Kingdom?
Link is shirtless at the end to emphasize that he has recovered his normal arm, which had been replaced by a mechanical one. It is an emotional climax of the game that shows his physical and emotional restoration after a long and arduous journey.
In conclusion, while Link may not have the same house as before, the housing system in Tears of the Kingdom offers a compelling and dynamic way to express your creativity. The story behind the loss of his old house also adds a layer of intrigue to the game, making Link’s journey all the more engaging.