Will There Be a Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? Exploring the Future of Hyrule
The question on every Zelda fan’s mind after experiencing the breathtaking scope of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) is undoubtedly: will there be a sequel? The short answer is: not in the traditional sense of a direct follow-up story. While Nintendo has not explicitly ruled out returning to the Breath of the Wild (BOTW) style of open-world gameplay, Tears of the Kingdom is designed to be a concluding chapter for this particular iteration of Hyrule and its established narrative. Instead of a direct sequel, Nintendo seems to be focusing on creating something entirely new. The series producer, Eiji Aonuma, has hinted that the next Zelda game will be “a completely new game,” suggesting a fresh direction rather than a continuation of TOTK’s specific storyline. This doesn’t mean the end of the Legend of Zelda franchise by any means; rather, it signals a potential pivot to new timelines, gameplay mechanics, and stories. Nintendo is clearly dedicated to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what a Zelda title can be.
The End of a Chapter, Not the End of Zelda
Tears of the Kingdom was carefully crafted to provide a sense of narrative closure, resolving many of the long-standing mysteries and plot threads that began in Breath of the Wild. The game’s ending definitively addresses the fate of Zelda, and the world feels complete, leaving little room for an immediate story continuation. Aonuma himself has indicated that the development team was able to incorporate all their desired elements into Tears of the Kingdom, explaining why there won’t be any DLC for the game. This intention to provide a comprehensive and complete experience points away from a traditional sequel, instead suggesting a desire to move the series in a new direction.
While Tears of the Kingdom marks a culmination of its specific narrative arc, it’s important to understand that the Legend of Zelda franchise is not confined to any single continuity or timeline. The game’s narrative choices allow Nintendo to gracefully transition into new stories and gameplay formulas. The vast success of both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom proves that Nintendo is not afraid to reinvent the core Zelda experience, and future games are likely to continue in that vein. Thus, while there won’t be a direct sequel, Zelda fans can expect further innovative and captivating entries in the franchise.
Understanding Nintendo’s Approach
Nintendo’s statements about the next Zelda game being “completely new” are not to be taken lightly. This could indicate a shift in gameplay mechanics, a new world, a different time period, or even a reimagining of the core series formula. What is clear is that they aim to avoid simply rehashing the same formula from BOTW and TOTK. Their focus on innovation suggests that future Zelda titles will continue to explore new territories within gaming. Given the upcoming release of the Switch successor console, it’s highly likely that the next Zelda game will be a pivotal title for that console, potentially even a dual release or exclusive.
Fans should expect Nintendo to draw on their learnings from BOTW and TOTK. They will likely incorporate elements that resonated with players while introducing new, innovative features that surprise and delight. The prospect of a new timeline or an entirely different direction for the series excites many fans who crave something different.
A New Timeline?
The conclusion of Tears of the Kingdom strongly suggests that this version of Hyrule and its core storyline have reached their end. This opens a very likely possibility for the next Zelda game to establish a new timeline or a setting entirely distinct from the one we’ve explored since Breath of the Wild. This is not unprecedented in the history of the series, which has often branched into different timelines based on the outcomes of specific events. A fresh setting, fresh characters, and a fresh narrative direction could be just what the series needs to continue its innovation and evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Future of Zelda
To further explore the future of the Legend of Zelda franchise post-Tears of the Kingdom, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
1. Will the next Zelda game be open world like BOTW and TOTK?
Aonuma has not ruled out returning to the Breath of the Wild-esque format, but has also stated the next game will be “completely new”. Therefore, while we cannot confirm the open-world format, it is a possibility.
2. Is Tears of the Kingdom the end of the entire Zelda series?
Absolutely not. Tears of the Kingdom is the end of this chapter of Zelda’s story, but Nintendo has clearly expressed an intent to continue the franchise.
3. Why isn’t there DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
According to Aonuma, the team was able to implement all desired elements into the game, making DLC unnecessary.
4. What happened to Zelda at the end of Tears of the Kingdom?
Zelda is sent back in time to the founding of Hyrule, where she is stranded. Her ability to turn back into a human is confirmed after Link defeats Ganondorf.
5. How old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Link is estimated to be around 122-125 years old, accounting for his age in Breath of the Wild and the time elapsed between the games.
6. Is there a romance between Link and Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom?
While their bond is strong, the relationship remains largely platonic, aligning with the series’ history of not typically featuring romantic relationships between the two.
7. How many shrines are in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are a total of 152 shrines: 120 on the surface of Hyrule and 32 on the Sky Islands.
8. Is the Triforce present in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Triforce does not visually manifest during Zelda’s magic use, but this doesn’t mean it is absent. It is possible the use of the Secret Stone as a focus might have prevented its visual appearance.
9. What is the significance of the corpse found in Tears of the Kingdom?
The corpse is that of Ganondorf, imprisoned by the tear-like stone and set up to be the core adversary of the events in Tears of the Kingdom.
10. What happened to the Divine Beasts in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Divine Beasts were recovered after excavation but fell dormant after Ganon was contained and then subsequently stirred again when Ganon began to stir once more.
11. Where is Kass in Tears of the Kingdom?
Kass does not make an appearance in Tears of the Kingdom, but there is one small reference to him in the base game.
12. Where can you find Majora’s Mask in Tears of the Kingdom?
Majora’s Mask is located in the Floating Coliseum in the Depths, at coordinates -1551, -1263, -0499.
13. Can you continue playing after defeating Ganon in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, but the game will load you back to just before the final boss fight. There is no “post-game” state.
14. Is Tears of the Kingdom a prequel to Skyward Sword?
No. Breath of the Wild was confirmed as the supposed endpoint of the Zelda timelines. Tears of the Kingdom, being its sequel, continues that lineage.
15. How many Lightroots are there in Tears of the Kingdom?
There are 120 Lightroots in Tears of the Kingdom, corresponding directly to the 120 surface shrines.
Looking Forward
While Tears of the Kingdom brings an end to a specific chapter in the Legend of Zelda lore, it opens up numerous possibilities for the future of the franchise. Nintendo’s commitment to innovation and exploration of new horizons suggests that the next Zelda game will be a groundbreaking experience, marking a new beginning rather than a continuation. The series remains one of gaming’s most beloved, and its future is certainly bright.