How Does Tears of the Kingdom Fit with Breath of the Wild?

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Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, taking place roughly 2-3 years after the events of the previous game, with the story unfolding in a shared universe formed by these two games. The game’s narrative and lore are deeply connected to Breath of the Wild, exploring the aftermath of the Calamity and the fate of Hyrule, while also introducing new elements and storylines that expand the Zelda universe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Connection to Breath of the Wild

Is Breath of the Wild connected to Tears of the Kingdom?: Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is a sequel to Breath of the Wild, with a shared universe and connected storylines.
Do I need to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom?: No, you don’t need to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom, but playing the previous game will help you appreciate the nuances of the sequel.
Will Tears of the Kingdom have the same map as Breath of the Wild?: While Tears of the Kingdom reuses the map from Breath of the Wild, it also includes new areas to explore, such as the Sky Islands and a massive underground world.

Timeline and Story

Where does Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom fit in the timeline?: Tears of the Kingdom takes place directly after Breath of the Wild, with certain flashbacks set in the distant past.
How many years is Tears of the Kingdom after Breath of the Wild?: The game seems to take place roughly 5-6 years after the events of Breath of the Wild, although the exact timeframe is not explicitly stated.
What happened to the Sheikah in Tears of the Kingdom?: The Sheikah disappeared after the Calamity was defeated, and their disappearance is considered a mystery in the game.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Is Tears of the Kingdom bigger than Breath of the Wild?: Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is larger than Breath of the Wild, with more content and new areas to explore.
How many shrines are in TOTK?: There are 152 Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom, with 120 on the surface and 32 in the Sky Islands.
Does anything transfer to Tears of the Kingdom?: Only your horses from Breath of the Wild will carry over to Tears of the Kingdom.

Characters and Lore

What happened to Zelda in TotK?: Zelda was sent back in time and transformed into a dragon, roaming the skies until she was turned back into a human by Rauru.
Is Zelda Queen in Tears of the Kingdom?: Despite the events of the game, Zelda remains a princess and has not become the Queen of Hyrule.
Why is the Triforce not in Tears of the Kingdom?: The Triforce is not present in Tears of the Kingdom, possibly due to Zelda’s wish at the end of Breath of the Wild, which caused it to disappear.

Game Development and Releases

Will there be DLC in Tears of the Kingdom?: According to the game’s director, there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom, as the development team was able to implement all the desired elements in the base game.
How old is Purah in Tears of the Kingdom?: Purah is approximately 124 years old, as stated in the book The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion.
How old is Link in Breath of the Wild?: Link is at least 17 years old when he climbs Mt. Lanayru, and considering his 100-year-long slumber, he would be roughly 117 years old.