What to Play Before Tears of the Kingdom: A Hyrule Historian’s Guide
So, you’re gearing up for Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK), the latest epic installment in the Legend of Zelda series. Excellent choice! But before you dive headfirst into Hyrule’s newest crisis, you might be wondering: what, if anything, should I play beforehand? The short answer is: Breath of the Wild (BOTW). While Nintendo has stated that playing BOTW isn’t required, it is unequivocally the most beneficial game to experience before embarking on your Tears of the Kingdom adventure. Let’s delve into why, and also explore some other Zelda titles that can enrich your understanding and appreciation of Hyrule’s rich history.
Why Breath of the Wild is Essential
Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. It builds upon the same map (albeit significantly altered), utilizes many of the same mechanics, and continues the stories of familiar characters. Playing BOTW first provides crucial context, emotional investment, and familiarity with the world that simply cannot be replicated.
- Understanding the World: BOTW introduces you to the modern Hyrule, its diverse regions, its people, and the lingering impact of the Great Calamity. You’ll explore the ruins of a once-thriving civilization, meet the descendants of the champions, and learn about the history of the Sheikah technology. This foundational knowledge is essential for appreciating the changes and challenges presented in TOTK.
- Character Development: Link, Zelda, and the other characters in BOTW undergo significant development. You witness their struggles, their triumphs, and their relationships. Understanding these dynamics beforehand makes their roles and motivations in TOTK much more meaningful. Witnessing the Calamity and the subsequent reconstruction efforts adds a layer of depth to your experience.
- Gameplay Mechanics: BOTW revolutionized the Zelda formula with its open-world design, physics-based puzzles, and focus on exploration and survival. TOTK expands upon these mechanics, introducing new abilities and systems. However, without a firm grasp of the core gameplay of BOTW, mastering these new elements will be considerably more challenging.
- Emotional Impact: The ending of BOTW, while somewhat bittersweet, offers a sense of closure and hope. Experiencing this resolution before venturing into TOTK allows you to appreciate the stakes and the potential consequences of the new threats facing Hyrule. It makes the emotional journey of TOTK all the more impactful.
- Avoiding “Playtest” Syndrome: Some players describe returning to BOTW after playing TOTK as feeling like a “playtest.” TOTK improves upon BOTW in many ways, and going back to the previous title can feel limited by comparison. Playing BOTW first allows you to enjoy its unique qualities without the inevitable comparisons to its successor.
Other Zelda Games to Consider
While BOTW is undoubtedly the most important, other Zelda games can enhance your overall understanding and appreciation of the series lore and recurring themes. However, these are optional, and primarily for the dedicated fan.
A Link to the Past
A classic from the SNES era, A Link to the Past establishes many of the core Zelda tropes: the Master Sword, the Triforce, and the dual world mechanic (Light World and Dark World). It’s a fantastic introduction to the series’ overarching narrative structure and a great game in its own right. If you’re interested in seeing the Zelda formula in its 2D prime, this is a must-play.
Ocarina of Time
Widely considered one of the greatest video games of all time, Ocarina of Time cemented the 3D Zelda formula. It introduced iconic characters like Ganondorf and established many of the conventions that would define future installments. Experiencing Ocarina of Time provides a foundational understanding of the series’ lore and gameplay.
Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess offers a darker and more mature take on the Zelda universe. It features a compelling story, memorable characters, and challenging dungeons. While not directly connected to BOTW or TOTK, it provides a deeper appreciation for the series’ ability to explore different tones and themes. Its visual style and narrative complexity offer a unique Zelda experience.
Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword delves into the origins of the Master Sword and the Zelda lineage. While its motion controls were controversial, its story and characters are compelling. It provides valuable backstory on the origins of Hyrule and the recurring conflict between good and evil. The HD remaster on the Switch makes it more accessible than ever.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
While a spin-off and not strictly canon, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a prequel to Breath of the Wild that depicts the events of the Great Calamity. Playing it can provide additional context and emotional weight to the characters and events referenced in BOTW and TOTK. It is a Dynasty Warriors style game, so be mindful of the change in core gameplay loop.
Should You Play in Release Order?
While playing the Zelda games in release order can be a fun and rewarding experience for hardcore fans, it’s not necessary for enjoying Tears of the Kingdom. Release order provides a historical perspective on the evolution of the series, but it’s not essential for understanding the story or gameplay of TOTK. Focus on BOTW first, then explore other titles based on your interests. As educators and gamers, it is important to understand how the evolution of games like this have shaped how people learn. Take a look at the Games Learning Society on GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
FAQs: Preparing for Tears of the Kingdom
1. Do I really need to play Breath of the Wild first?
While not mandatory, playing Breath of the Wild first is highly recommended. It will significantly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of Tears of the Kingdom.
2. Is Tears of the Kingdom a standalone game?
No, Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild.
3. Is Tears of the Kingdom harder than Breath of the Wild?
Some players find Tears of the Kingdom to be more challenging, particularly in the early game due to stronger enemies and longer tutorial sequences.
4. How long is Tears of the Kingdom?
The main story of Tears of the Kingdom takes around 60 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend over 200 hours.
5. Will weapons break in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, weapons still break in Tears of the Kingdom, but the Fuse ability allows you to combine them with other items to create more durable and powerful weapons.
6. Does Tears of the Kingdom have DLC?
As of now, Nintendo has stated that there are no plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom.
7. Can I play Tears of the Kingdom without building?
While building is a prominent feature, it’s not always necessary. You can still traverse the world on foot, horseback, or by climbing.
8. Is the Triforce in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Triforce is not explicitly featured in Tears of the Kingdom.
9. How old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Link is estimated to be around 122-125 years old in Tears of the Kingdom due to his slumber in Breath of the Wild.
10. How many shrines are in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of 152 shrines in Tears of the Kingdom, scattered across Hyrule’s surface and sky islands.
11. How many Korok seeds are in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are 1000 Korok Seeds in Tears of the Kingdom, which translates to 800 unique Korok locations when considering the return puzzles.
12. Is Tears of the Kingdom a bigger game than Breath of the Wild?
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is larger than Breath of the Wild, both in terms of file size (16.3 GB vs. 14.4 GB) and content.
13. What Zelda game should I play first if I’m completely new to the series?
While many would recommend Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild is an excellent entry point for new players due to its open-world design and accessibility.
14. Does Tears of the Kingdom fit into the overall Zelda timeline?
Nintendo places Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom at the end of the timeline, currently disconnected from other games.
15. How does Age of Calamity fit into the canon?
Age of Calamity is technically a spin-off in an alternate timeline, but it provides valuable backstory and context for the world and characters of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.