What Was the Old Name for BOTW 2? Unveiling the Mystery Before Tears of the Kingdom
The simple answer to the question, “What was the old name for BOTW 2?” is: BOTW 2. For years, leading up to the official title reveal, players and gaming media alike commonly referred to the highly anticipated sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as BOTW 2. This placeholder name served as a convenient shorthand while fans eagerly awaited official information from Nintendo. The eventual unveiling of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom finally gave a concrete name to the title, however, many players continue to use the term “BOTW 2” out of habit and familiarity. This article dives deeper into the history behind the name and addresses common questions about the sequel.
The Evolution From BOTW 2 to Tears of the Kingdom
The journey from “BOTW 2” to Tears of the Kingdom was a long one, filled with speculation and anticipation. The initial announcement of a sequel to the critically acclaimed Breath of the Wild at E3 2019 was met with fervor, but with no official title attached, the gaming community quickly adopted “BOTW 2” as the unofficial name. This moniker stuck throughout the game’s development and was even used in early news cycles, further solidifying its place in the minds of many.
Nintendo capped off its September Direct presentation with a trailer for the game, officially revealing the title: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Despite the official name being released, a lot of players still use “BOTW 2” in discussions of the game.
Why “BOTW 2” Stuck
The popularity of “BOTW 2” stemmed from its straightforward and logical nature. It directly linked the sequel to its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, making it easy for everyone to understand. The simplicity and clarity of the name made it widely used in gaming circles. Moreover, this name served as a way for fans to refer to the game while the official title remained a mystery. Even after the formal reveal, the name persists in conversations among players, highlighting how deeply ingrained it has become in gaming culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About BOTW 2 (Tears of the Kingdom)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide more context and address common queries about the sequel:
Is BOTW 2 a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. The game uses the same map as the original, with the added element of new floating Sky Islands. The developers wanted to build upon the open-world foundation of its predecessor and advance the narrative in a natural progression.
Is BOTW 2 a sequel to Age of Calamity?
No, Age of Calamity is not a direct predecessor to Tears of the Kingdom. Age of Calamity is a prequel to Breath of the Wild, filling in story gaps and exploring the events of the Great Calamity. It is set in the same timeline as Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but it is not part of the direct story progression of the sequel.
Is Toto the sequel to BOTW?
No, Tears of the Kingdom (often initially called BOTW 2) is the sequel to Breath of the Wild, not a game called “Toto.” The speculation about the game possibly creating a new timeline stemmed from the fact the Tears of the Kingdom events would seem to make the events of Breath of the Wild impossible.
Are Ganon and Ganondorf the same?
Yes, Ganon and Ganondorf are the same entity. However, Ganon refers to the villain’s beast form, while Ganondorf is his human Gerudo form. The distinction between the two is confirmed in The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia.
Will BOTW 2 be a direct sequel?
Yes, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. This sequel continues the narrative and utilizes the same base world with new areas.
Is Age of Calamity Ganon playable?
Yes, Calamity Ganon is a playable character in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. However, you must complete a series of challenges and unlock all the other playable characters first to do so.
How big is Hyrule canonically?
Hyrule’s length is approximately 168 miles and its width is 198 miles. This calculates to an area of roughly 33,268 square miles (86,163 square kilometers), calculated based on in-game travel time by community members.
How old is Calamity Ganon?
By the time players encounter him in Breath of the Wild, Calamity Ganon is 11,000 years old. The Calamity first appeared ten thousand years before the game, wreaking havoc on Hyrule before being sealed away.
What is Link’s full name from Zelda?
According to Shigeru Miyamoto, Link’s full name is Link Link. This is said to be a playful reference to a similar “full name” revelation in the 1993 Super Mario Bros movie.
Who is Zelda’s brother?
Princess Zelda from the games does not have a brother. The Prince of Hyrule is the brother of a previous incarnation of Princess Zelda, Princess Zelda I.
Is BOTW 2 on the same map?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom uses the same base map as Breath of the Wild, but with significant additions. This includes new Sky Islands and other changes to the original landscape.
What is Zelda 3 called?
The Legend of Zelda 3 is called The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It was released in 1991 in Japan and 1992 in North America and Europe.
Who is the villain in BOTW 2?
While Ganondorf is a prominent antagonist in Tears of the Kingdom, it’s important to note that the game is not solely focused on him, or even specifically on his Ganon form. Other threats and villains appear.
Is Toto the last Zelda game?
No, Tears of the Kingdom will not be the last Zelda game. While the series might continue to evolve, Nintendo will continue to produce new games within the franchise.
Will you be able to use Wolf Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Wolf Link is not available in Tears of the Kingdom. While players can scan the Wolf Link amiibo, it will grant in-game meat instead of summoning Wolf Link. This feature has been removed from this latest game.
Conclusion
The story of the sequel to Breath of the Wild, from the placeholder name BOTW 2 to the official title The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, is a testament to the gaming community’s anticipation and engagement. While “BOTW 2” remains a part of the gaming lexicon, Tears of the Kingdom has firmly taken its place as the next chapter in the iconic Zelda franchise. By answering these FAQs, players can gain a better understanding of the history and lore surrounding the game, as well as what to expect from this highly anticipated title.