The options we would like most in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is simply across the nook as we come up on its Could 12 launch date. Though Nintendo launched the sport’s last trailer on Thursday morning, there’s nonetheless quite a bit we don’t find out about it.

We all know what among the new characters will appear to be, and that some associates from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild be making a return. Nintendo additionally revealed particulars about Hyperlink’s new powers and breakable weapons in Eiji Aonuma’s current gameplay demonstration. Nonetheless, a lot of Tears of the Kingdom stays a thriller.

In 2023, Polygon is embarking on a Zeldathon. Be a part of us on our journey by way of The Legend of Zelda sequence, from the unique 1986 sport to the discharge of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and past.

Whereas many followers are content material to rationally theorize about what’s subsequent, it may also be enjoyable to dream large.

In anticipation of its launch, the Polygon employees determined to spherical up an inventory of options, talents, and quality-of-life enhancements we hope might be in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These vary from the return of sure characters to… hummus. It’s an actual smorgasbord of needs. Let’s dive in!

Hummus

I believe Hyperlink ought to be capable of make hummus. You are able to do 1,000,000 issues with hummus. You possibly can season it with acidic fruit, herbs, or veggies — every part Hyperlink’s already gathering. Let Hyperlink convey a veggie/hummus platter to his boss combat with Ganon. Let me gather a dozen sorts of beans, Nintendo.

I don’t have extra to this argument. I simply suppose it could be good. —Susana Polo

Let’s all journey Prince Sidon extra

Picture: Nintendo

On Thursday, throughout Tears of the Kingdom’s last trailer, Nintendo revealed that Prince Sidon might be returning within the sequel. Now that he’s confirmed to be within the subsequent sport, I simply hope we get to journey him extra.

The Zora royal charmed me from the second Hyperlink met him together with his broad, sparkly smile. The man has the most effective golden retriever power of any Zelda character I do know, and groups up with Hyperlink in the easiest way doable: Hyperlink will get to actually journey Sidon as the 2 combat the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. Though some intelligent glitch hunters discovered a technique to journey Sidon in all places, I’m hoping that Nintendo will embody the power by default. —Ana Diaz

Immediate swappable armor and weapon units

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild incorporates a deep closet of drugs to arm Hyperlink with. For those who’re going to navigate sure areas, just like the snowy mountains within the Hebra area or the lava-laced Dying Mountain, it’s extraordinarily useful to get specialised gear that protects Hyperlink from the weather. Not like different gear, like your bow, sword, and defend, altering your armor set forces you to enter one other menu and swap what Hyperlink’s carrying, piece by piece. It’s a bit cumbersome in case you’re teleporting from place to position, making an attempt to finish quests or uncover extra shrines, so I’m hoping this might be addressed within the sequel. —AD

Playable Zelda

Picture: Nintendo

Followers have been asking for years to play as Princess Zelda, but it surely’s by no means occurred in a mainline Legend of Zelda sport (though it’s doable within the Hyrule Warriors video games and Smash Bros.). Zelda’s had some fairly cool adventures prior to now, and much too a lot of them have occurred off display screen. I don’t count on Tears of the Kingdom to be the sport that lastly grants this want, however there’s no hurt in hoping. It nearly appears doable this time round, since this can be a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, and sequels supply the prospect to increase gamers’ views on a preexisting world.

All that stated, Breath of the Wild’s story was very a lot about Zelda; she and Hyperlink felt like twin protagonists, although the previous wasn’t playable. That’s usually the case in my favourite Zelda video games, comparable to Ocarina of Time, through which Zelda’s skillset and support are of frequent use to Hyperlink. I count on one thing much like occur in Tears of the Kingdom, but it surely certain could be good to spend a while within the princess’s footwear for as soon as. —Maddy Myers

Hero’s Path

Picture: Nintendo through Polygon

I’d like to see the Hero’s Path characteristic return in Tears of the Kingdom. It was launched alongside some DLC for Breath of the Wild as a brand new talent to your Sheikah Slate. Whilst essentially the most minor part of that content material drop, it made for a extremely enjoyable technique to look again in your journey.

With Hero’s Path enabled (by urgent X whereas wanting on the map), you could possibly watch a extremely simplified icon of Hyperlink hint a inexperienced line across the map, mirroring your actions because you initially awakened on the primary plateau. It reveals each place you walked, in what order, while you died, and while you warped to a brand new place. Past being enjoyable to observe, it’s an incredible feat that a lot granularity is preserved in your save file.

Nonessential? Sure. But it surely’s a kind of cherry-on-top options that I’d like to see in Tears of the Kingdom, in addition to in each different open-world sport. —Cameron Faulkner

Musical devices

Picture: Nintendo

Everyone knows that the music of the Legend of Zelda video games is known, and Breath of the Wild was no completely different. However what it lacked was a technique to convey that music into the gameplay itself. Certain, certain, certain, I beloved catching the faint hum of accordion on the wind as I explored Hyrule, figuring out that I may comply with it to Kass for a brand new puzzle. However what if I wish to play the accordion?

Since Ocarina of Time (to not point out Majora’s Masks and Twilight Princess), Hyperlink has used music (OK, OK, or wolf howls) to disclose secrets and techniques, open doorways, tame wild animals, warp time, alter the climate, and cleanse evil spirits. I’m not saying I have to do all that in Tears of the Kingdom. However to me, one of many enduring joys of the Zelda franchise is music’s connection to magic; the accomplishment gained from studying songs like spells, storing them in my very personal mind, and really performing them to carry out miracles.

And, additionally, simply tootling alongside on just a little instrument to see what sounds I could make. I wish to expertise that pleasure once more in a brand new Zelda sport, and the precision and suppleness of the Change’s inputs solely make it extra tantalizing. To not point out Tears of the Kingdom’s demonstrated kludge mechanics: Let me slap a stick and a few monster guts collectively to make a stringed instrument and pluck open a magic door. Let me stack wolf pores and skin on a log to make a drum, and jam with Hestu and his maracas!

OK, OK, high-quality. Simply make the Sheikah Slate right into a melodica or one thing, however convey again enjoying music in Zelda. —SP