The options we wish 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 remaining 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 pals 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 means of The Legend of Zelda collection, 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 will also be enjoyable to dream massive.

In anticipation of its launch, the Polygon workers determined to spherical up a listing of options, skills, and quality-of-life enhancements we hope shall 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 one million issues with hummus. You’ll be able to season it with acidic fruit, herbs, or veggies — all the pieces Hyperlink’s already accumulating. Let Hyperlink deliver a veggie/hummus platter to his boss battle 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 experience Prince Sidon extra

Picture: Nintendo

On Thursday, throughout Tears of the Kingdom’s remaining trailer, Nintendo revealed that Prince Sidon shall be returning within the sequel. Now that he’s confirmed to be within the subsequent sport, I simply hope we get to experience 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 potential: Hyperlink will get to actually experience Sidon as the 2 battle the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. Though some intelligent glitch hunters discovered a option to experience Sidon in every single place, I’m hoping that Nintendo will embody the power by default. —Ana Diaz

On the spot swappable armor and weapon units

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild comprises a deep closet of drugs to arm Hyperlink with. In case you’re going to navigate sure areas, just like the snowy mountains within the Hebra area or the lava-laced Loss of life Mountain, it’s extraordinarily useful to get specialised gear that protects Hyperlink from the weather. In contrast to different gear, like your bow, sword, and defend, altering your armor set forces you to enter one other menu and change what Hyperlink’s carrying, piece by piece. It’s a bit cumbersome in the event you’re teleporting from place to position, attempting to finish quests or uncover extra shrines, so I’m hoping this shall be addressed within the sequel. —AD

Playable Zelda

Picture: Nintendo

Followers have been asking for years to play as Princess Zelda, however it’s by no means occurred in a mainline Legend of Zelda sport (though it’s potential 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. I don’t anticipate Tears of the Kingdom to be the sport that lastly grants this want, however there’s no hurt in hoping. It nearly appears potential this time round, since it is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, and sequels provide the possibility to increase gamers’ views on a preexisting world.

All that mentioned, Breath of the Wild’s story was very a lot about Zelda; she and Hyperlink felt like twin protagonists, regardless that the previous wasn’t playable. That’s typically the case in my favourite Zelda video games, resembling Ocarina of Time, wherein Zelda’s skillset and support are of frequent use to Hyperlink. I anticipate one thing much like occur in Tears of the Kingdom, however it positive can be good to spend a while within the princess’s sneakers for as soon as. —Maddy Myers

Hero’s Path

Picture: Nintendo by way of Polygon

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

With Hero’s Path enabled (by urgent X whereas wanting on the map), you possibly can 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 exhibits 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 a tremendous feat that a lot granularity is preserved in your save file.

Nonessential? Sure. Nevertheless it’s a type 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 totally different. However what it lacked was a option to deliver that music into the gameplay itself. Certain, positive, positive, I cherished catching the faint hum of accordion on the wind as I explored Hyrule, realizing that I may observe 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 must 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 truly performing them to carry out miracles.

And, additionally, simply tootling alongside on a little bit 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 adaptability 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, effective. Simply make the Sheikah Slate right into a melodica or one thing, however deliver again enjoying music in Zelda. —SP