Is Tears of the Kingdom a Direct Sequel to Breath of the Wild?

Yes, Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild (BotW). It continues the story of Link and Zelda in Hyrule, picking up after the events of BotW and expanding upon its world, characters, and lore. While it introduces significant new mechanics and a sprawling narrative separate from the original, the foundation laid by BotW is undeniably the starting point for TotK’s adventure.

Understanding the Direct Sequel Designation

Calling TotK a “direct sequel” isn’t just marketing jargon. It means the game shares several critical elements with its predecessor, making the experience profoundly intertwined:

• The Same Hyrule: While heavily transformed and expanded with sky islands and the depths, the core map of Hyrule is fundamentally the same as in BotW. Familiar landmarks, settlements (though altered), and even some enemy encampments are present, creating a sense of continuity.
• Returning Characters: Many characters from BotW return, including familiar faces like the Champions’ descendants (Teba, Riju, Yunobo, Sidon), Impa, Robbie, Purah, and Hestu. Their stories evolve, reflecting the time passed since the Calamity was defeated.
• Continuing Narrative Threads: TotK directly addresses the aftermath of Calamity Ganon’s defeat and the efforts to rebuild Hyrule. Memories of the past, Link’s previous adventures, and the lingering effects of the Calamity influence the present-day narrative.
• Gameplay Enhancements, Not Reinvention: TotK builds upon BotW’s core gameplay mechanics. Exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving remain central, but are enhanced with new abilities like Fuse, Ultrahand, Recall, and Ascend. It’s an evolution, not a complete departure.
• Shared Lore and Mythology: TotK delves deeper into Hyrule’s ancient history, expanding upon the lore introduced in BotW. The Zonai civilization, the origins of the Triforce, and the history of the Demon King are all explored in greater detail, enriching the world and adding depth to the overarching Zelda narrative.

However, it’s important to note that while a direct sequel, Tears of the Kingdom is not simply an expansion pack or glorified DLC. It presents a brand new main story that rivals and expands on the scale and scope of Breath of the Wild.

FAQs: Diving Deeper into TotK’s Connection to BotW

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild:

1. Do I need to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom?

While not strictly required, playing Breath of the Wild is highly recommended before playing Tears of the Kingdom. You’ll appreciate the returning characters, understand the context of the world, and be familiar with the gameplay mechanics, enhancing your overall experience. TotK makes no effort to reintroduce mechanics and concepts explored in BotW.

2. Does Tears of the Kingdom acknowledge my save data from Breath of the Wild?

Yes, to a limited extent. Your horses from Breath of the Wild can be transferred over to Tears of the Kingdom. However, most other progress, such as completed shrines, armor, and inventory, does not carry over.

3. Is the map of Hyrule exactly the same in Tears of the Kingdom?

No, the map is not exactly the same. While the general layout and landmarks are similar, the terrain has been altered in many areas, new locations have been added, and the introduction of sky islands and the Depths significantly expands the explorable world. The world is familiar, but also completely different.

4. Are the Champions from Breath of the Wild still relevant in Tears of the Kingdom?

Their spirits are not physically present. The Champions are part of the history of Hyrule, and their contributions during the Calamity are acknowledged. Their descendants play significant roles in the story, and their abilities (granted to Link in BotW) are replaced by new powers.

5. What are the biggest differences between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?

The biggest differences include:

• New Abilities: Link gains powerful new abilities like Ultrahand, Fuse, Recall, and Ascend, changing how you interact with the environment.
• Sky Islands and the Depths: The addition of these expansive new areas provides a significant amount of new content and exploration opportunities.
• Story Focus: The story in Tears of the Kingdom is arguably more intricate and engaging, with a greater emphasis on narrative and character development.
• Crafting and Building: Ultrahand and Fuse allow for extensive crafting and building possibilities, enabling players to create vehicles, contraptions, and weapons.
• Enemy Variety: While some familiar enemies return, Tears of the Kingdom introduces new and challenging foes, requiring different strategies to defeat.

6. Does Tears of the Kingdom retcon any events from Breath of the Wild?

No, Tears of the Kingdom generally respects the events of Breath of the Wild. It builds upon them and expands on existing lore, but it doesn’t outright contradict or erase anything from the previous game. There may be small variances in how some characters remember the past, but nothing significant enough to be considered a retcon.

7. Are there any new races or civilizations introduced in Tears of the Kingdom?

The Zonai civilization is a prominent addition. While hints of the Zonai were present in Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom delves deeply into their history and their connection to Hyrule’s past.

8. How does the Calamity Ganon situation affect the story of Tears of the Kingdom?

While Calamity Ganon is defeated, the threat to Hyrule is not entirely gone. A new, even more powerful evil emerges, forcing Link and Zelda to confront a new crisis that is rooted in Hyrule’s distant past. The Calamity and its effects still resonate throughout the land.

9. Can I still ride Epona in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, if you transferred her from your Breath of the Wild save data. However, you must have registered Epona at a stable in Breath of the Wild before transferring her. Otherwise, you’ll need to find and tame new horses in Tears of the Kingdom.

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

The difficulty is generally comparable, but arguably steeper in the early game. The new abilities require some getting used to, and some enemies are significantly more challenging. However, the expanded crafting and building options provide players with more tools to overcome obstacles.

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

Nintendo has confirmed that there will be no DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. All the ideas they had for downloadable content have been implemented in their next Zelda installment that is currently in development.

12. Does Tears of the Kingdom explain the origins of the Sheikah technology from Breath of the Wild?

Not explicitly in a comprehensive manner. While the game delves into the origins of ancient technologies, the focus is more on the Zonai and their influence on Hyrule. The Sheikah technology is still present, but its origins are not the primary focus.

13. Does Tears of the Kingdom address the fate of the Divine Beasts?

The Divine Beasts are no longer active and have returned to their resting places. They serve as reminders of the Champions’ sacrifices and the efforts to defeat Calamity Ganon. They are still landmarks and are explored in limited ways.

14. Can I still cook recipes from Breath of the Wild in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, most of the recipes from Breath of the Wild can still be cooked in Tears of the Kingdom. The cooking system remains largely the same, with some new ingredients and effects added.

15. Does Tears of the Kingdom change how I should approach exploration compared to Breath of the Wild?

Yes, somewhat. The new abilities, particularly Ultrahand and Ascend, encourage more creative and experimental exploration. The sky islands and Depths also introduce verticality and hidden areas that require different approaches to discover. The game actively encourages outside-the-box thinking and rewards curiosity.

In conclusion, Tears of the Kingdom is undoubtedly a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. It’s a richer and more expansive experience that builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering players a compelling new adventure in a familiar, yet transformed, Hyrule. While standing on its own merits as a grand game, understanding the context of BotW will only deepen your appreciation for the world and story of TotK.