Topic: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

[Caterkiller]

I went through topics from 2022 and 2021 and didn't see anything so I'm putting this up.

I'm happy to discuss all aspects of the game but what I really want to talk about though is potential flying! Be it through a Loftwing type of mount or any other means. Preferably a Loftwing mount for my tastes. The first thought that comes to mind is that it would just break the game but if designed with the whole game in mind I think it could be balanced pretty well.

1 - Glider - It's back and it's undoubtedly going to be used as heavily as it always was. Just looking at that one portion of the trailer with Link gliding into absolute nothingness with sky islands way the heck out I just can't imagine the Glider being the means of transportation between the sky islands. If there is a Loftwing maybe it gets you through the larger gaps but the Glider is then used for more narrow areas and precision landings.

2 - Underground - If we have a ton of caves, cities and other locales underground I'm certain this is where no Loftwing would be allowed. If the underground is as extensive as even 1/4 of top ground Hyrule is that's a ton of area to explore that keeps the Glider and other traversal tools relevant that outright flight wouldn't completely omit.

3 - Dungeons - Epona don't get to go in dungeons neither does Loftwing. Same pricipal as the underground.

4 - Sky - If the Loftwing is limited to the "heavenly" part of the sky maybe there are certain natural or unnatural barriers that keep you from just flying to any portion right off the bat. Those weird antenna may produce force fields, super powerful monsters early game Link isn't ready for yet, thunder clouds, etc. At some point though I would love to feel the freedom of flight again like Skyward Sword but in a much more meaningful world. Let the Loftwing land with me on the ground. Let me feed it and pet it like I do my horse.

5 - Hyrule Surface - Depending on how much has changed I wonder how much the development team wants us to climb the same land masses like we once did? New traversal tools like the Hook/Claw Shot would change things up to let the old feel new again and who knows what other new powers will be introduced. Maybe the story logic says Loftwings can't go down to the surface again but man I'd love if by the end of the game we could totally fly around the surface and the sky at will. Especially if it means epic boss battles taking place across the sky during flight and having to free fall at times and what ever the devil else they cook up.

Oh and that big, rock bird, floating in the sky last trailer? That's a bad omen...

[Evan_B]

Don’t really think anyone is anticipating this game at all, honestly.

…okay, so jokes aside, I’m pretty stunned at how little we actually know of the gameplay and narrative for this game. We didn’t really know much about the original BotW prior to launch but we had some idea of what gameplay would be like. I think the excuse for this is very similar to Super Mario Galaxy 2: this game is a sequel. Because it is not a “new” title, it will rely heavily on the gameplay functions of its predecessor and maybe add some new, minor elements. I imagine this game will be about vertical exploration in comparison with BotW’s horizontal traversal. Which is fine.

[Luigi Dude]

Don’t really think anyone is anticipating this game at all, honestly.

…okay, so jokes aside, I’m pretty stunned at how little we actually know of the gameplay and narrative for this game. We didn’t really know much about the original BotW prior to launch but we had some idea of what gameplay would be like. I think the excuse for this is very similar to Super Mario Galaxy 2: this game is a sequel. Because it is not a “new” title, it will rely heavily on the gameplay functions of its predecessor and maybe add some new, minor elements. I imagine this game will be about vertical exploration in comparison with BotW’s horizontal traversal. Which is fine.

We do know about some of the new gameplay from Nintendo's patents they filed for the game over a year ago.  One patent allows Link to phase through platforms from below the surface which they showed in one of the trailers.  Another patent showed the ability to rewind time on objects, which was also shown in a trailer when Link has a bolder move back up a hill.  The last one was for Link to be able to move into different positions when aiming the bow while free-falling.

[Evan_B]

Don’t really think anyone is anticipating this game at all, honestly.

…okay, so jokes aside, I’m pretty stunned at how little we actually know of the gameplay and narrative for this game. We didn’t really know much about the original BotW prior to launch but we had some idea of what gameplay would be like. I think the excuse for this is very similar to Super Mario Galaxy 2: this game is a sequel. Because it is not a “new” title, it will rely heavily on the gameplay functions of its predecessor and maybe add some new, minor elements. I imagine this game will be about vertical exploration in comparison with BotW’s horizontal traversal. Which is fine.

We do know about some of the new gameplay from Nintendo's patents they filed for the game over a year ago.  One patent allows Link to phase through platforms from below the surface which they showed in one of the trailers.  Another patent showed the ability to rewind time on objects, which was also shown in a trailer when Link has a bolder move back up a hill.  The last one was for Link to be able to move into different positions when aiming the bow while free-falling.

Yes, but none of this has been explicitly stated by Nintendo. We’ve learned about it through weird gameplay patents.

[Adrock]

2 - Underground - If we have a ton of caves, cities and other locales underground I'm certain this is where no Loftwing would be allowed. If the underground is as extensive as even 1/4 of top ground Hyrule is that's a ton of area to explore that keeps the Glider and other traversal tools relevant that outright flight wouldn't completely omit.

I’m a little concerned about possibly exploring caves and the underground because areas like Thyphlo Ruins that were completely blacked out without a torch were among my least favorite parts of the game.

3 - Dungeons - Epona don't get to go in dungeons neither does Loftwing. Same pricipal as the underground.

I expect larger dungeons than the shrines though I think exploration is still going to be bulk of the game.

4 - Sky - If the Loftwing is limited to the "heavenly" part of the sky maybe there are certain natural or unnatural barriers that keep you from just flying to any portion right off the bat.

Part of me thinks the floating landmasses is how Nintendo plans on changing the surface as in they lift up from Hyrule which not only alters huge areas of the surface but opens up underground caves.

5 - Hyrule Surface - Depending on how much has changed I wonder how much the development team wants us to climb the same land masses like we once did?

I was a little concerned about this, but it’s hard for me not to trust that Nintendo will do something fun and interesting here. Aside from what I mentioned above, there is a possibility Nintendo simply extends the map beyond Hyrule from Breath of the Wild into neighboring kingdoms, empires etc.. You can clearly see islands in the distance. The desert simply stops and you can’t travel farther despite visible terrain. The entire top of the map has an entire inaccessible landmass. Mount Agaat is the only area on the Breath of the Wild map that is labeled but can’t be visited by normal means.

Anyway, I’m curious about the story. The Tears of the Kingdom logo looks Zonai-ish and very little was revealed about them. The Seven Heroines (actually, eight) were similarly mysterious. Also, I’ve wondered what would happen if the goddesses returned to Hyrule. “We f-ing gave you these triangles for peace and prosperity, and it’s just been eons of y’all breaking ****. You split the timeline three ways. We didn’t know that was even possible. How did you do that? Why?! **** you guys. We’re taking the Triforce with us.”

[Evan_B]

4 - Sky - If the Loftwing is limited to the "heavenly" part of the sky maybe there are certain natural or unnatural barriers that keep you from just flying to any portion right off the bat.

Part of me thinks the floating landmasses is how Nintendo plans on changing the surface as in they lift up from Hyrule which not only alters huge areas of the surface but opens up underground caves.

While that seems like a great idea, it proves problematic when closely examining any of the previous promotional material, as the topography of Hyrule seems mostly unchanged, save for the absence of Sheikah shrines. Still, exploring the surface is going to be an essential part of finding routes into the sky, which I think is going to be the major objective for combing over Hyrule again.

I do think that people are vastly overestimating the existence and depth of caves, as we have seen brief references and hints at subterranean areas but nowhere near the extent or importance of the sky-focused content. Now, admittedly, we haven’t seen much of the actual masses in the sky and that could be used as an excuse for the lack of information about caves, but if there were going to be grandiose underground caverns or even intricate networks, I feel as if the developers would prioritize telegraphing that element to us in the promotional material.

The fact remains that we’re going into the close months leading up to launch and it still feels like we know very little, which I honestly prefer. A major part of Breath of the Wild was discovery and not knowing what to expect from this game adds to its overall mystique.

[Caterkiller]

I do think that people are vastly overestimating the existence and depth of caves, as we have seen brief references and hints at subterranean areas but nowhere near the extent or importance of the sky-focused content. Now, admittedly, we haven’t seen much of the actual masses in the sky and that could be used as an excuse for the lack of information about caves, but if there were going to be grandiose underground caverns or even intricate networks, I feel as if the developers would prioritize telegraphing that element to us in the promotional material.

The fact remains that we’re going into the close months leading up to launch and it still feels like we know very little, which I honestly prefer. A major part of Breath of the Wild was discovery and not knowing what to expect from this game adds to its overall mystique.

Judging by Aonuma's words, I think a decently meaty underground is in store for us. However his little comments about exploring the sky and an expanded world really don't mean much at the moment. It's the initial story trailer that leads me to believe we will have more underground caverns and such.

When looking at our very first teaser/trailer of Breath of the Wild we saw Link and horse just idle in a massive field and then all of a sudden a giant Gardian comes around destroying everything. Link jumps off the horse in super cinematic bullet time fashion and shoots an ancient arrow. At first glance it seemed like yeah that was just a fancy in engine(or maybe cgi) concept of what the game may or could look like. When I really think about it however the only thing in the final game not found in that trailer were the Shieka locals farming or gathering. That trailer gave us relatively honest gameplay hints. Big world to explore, giant robots would chase you down and there is indeed a bullet time mechanic when you pull out the bow.

It all looked too cool to be true but it was very evocative of actual gameplay.

Fast forward to our first look at Tears of the Kingdom and looks to me the same thing is happening. We are given a very story heavy look at the game. Zelda and Link exploring a fairly well lit dungeon/cavern. A big ceiling worm to fight in cave and what ever the devil else. Looks to me that the trailer is telling us this game will be more story heavy and we should expect a lot of underground to go with the sky.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I'm completely out of the loop, and haven't fired my Switch up for some time now.... but a New Zelda has my attention.

Is there a recent video or something that released? When exactly is this coming out?
And when I looked it up.... why was it said to be one of if not the last big release on the Switch!?

Is the Switch Pro, or Switch 2 on the horizon? and what do we know about that?
Where are all the credible rumors surrounding that?

[Adrock]

While that seems like a great idea, it proves problematic when closely examining any of the previous promotional material, as the topography of Hyrule seems mostly unchanged, save for the absence of Sheikah shrines.

Maybe. 🤷‍♀️

Like you said, we know very little. If I was going to hide anything about the game, reshaping portions of the overworld and how that happens would be it. Some things don't need to be changed though such as the stables and villages. I do wonder where the sky islands come from, and it just reminds me of Skyloft. The first teaser from E3 2021 shows Hyrule Castle lifting off the ground.

Judging by Aonuma's words, I think a decently meaty underground is in store for us.

I don't know how meaty it's going to be though I expect some cave and underground areas especially after that scene with Zelda apparently falling through the ground in the 2021 E3 teaser (unless that’s a red herring or a vision/dream). It's one way to add new exploration opportunities if Tears of the Kingdom is going to share the same basic overworld.

Is there a recent video or something that released? When exactly is this coming out?

1. Not since the trailer/title reveal trailer a few months ago.
2. May 12, 2023.

Is the Switch Pro, or Switch 2 on the horizon? and what do we know about that?
Where are all the credible rumors surrounding that?

1. Nothing announced.
2. Last rumor I read, a Switch Pro was planned and quietly cancelled due to some weird thing that happened in 2020.

[Luigi Dude]

The size of any underground area will probably depend on how big the Sky sections will be.  If the Sky Islands end up equaling a size similar to Hyrule then I have a hard time seeing an equally large underground section.  Even if normal Hyrule has remained mostly unchanged, creating all those brand new area's in the Sky is still a large task for the developers.

Even though they've been working on this for close to 6 years, that would still be a massive undertaking to create 2 completely new worlds and still update the existing Hryule.  Now I imagine new caves will have been created for the original Hyrule to give new things to find there but I don't know how doable it will be to have a giant underground section comparable to other area's.

I think part of the reason for this game taking so long is because we'll be getting some massive dungeons this time.  The biggest complaint about BOTW was the Divine Beast weren't a good substitute for traditional dungeons, so I think the Zelda team has found a way to make some massive dungeons like the previous games, but still make them work with the open world gameplay of BOTW.  That's the part I'm most interested in seeing what they've done for this game.

[Evan_B]

I think you can probably create a decent gameplay loop based on the pre-established foundations. For example:
1) Find a launch point or a subterranean entrance within a region that helps Link get to a sky island. Create some sort of mini challenge there, similar to shrines, that once completed, releases a lock for the main dungeon.
2) Once all locks have been released, Link can access the launch point that takes him to the region’s dungeon.
3) Region dungeon is long-form puzzle and combat content that limits usual skill set, grants some element crucial to the main quest.

As there are eight regions to Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule (one being Central Hyrule, which could have Hyrule Castle as its dungeon) and seven years shown in the etchings from the promotional material, one might assume that finding a region’s corresponding dungeon would require scouring its topography for locks/keys/what-have-you. Now, the developers could scale the number of these locks back in comparison with Breath of the Wild’s 120 shrines, and in doing so, make each lock or the corresponding dungeon more substantial as a result. However, I’m just theorycrafting here and people who complained about the Divine Beasts and the lack of traditional 3D Zelda content in BotW are stupid, so I’d be fine if we still had to find a large amount of mini puzzles.

[Adrock]

I mostly liked the Shrines. 🤷‍♀️ Not all of them were winners especially the gyro ones. And there were a few instances in which they could have been placed more strategically on the overworld to make fast traveling to certain areas easier like north of Great Hyrule Forest. Still, I wouldn’t say no to some traditional dungeons in Tears of the Kingdom though I kind of want to see an old-school Zelda since we haven’t had one of those in nearly 20 years so maybe do that instead.

[Luigi Dude]

I imagine we'll still have Shrines or something similar to them since those were great rewards for exploration and were mostly well liked.  The biggest complaints were too many Test of Strength shrines and the music and look of the Shrines being the same.  I'd imagine Shrines in Tears of the Kingdom will probably have a variety of looks and music to help make them feel more unique, and the Test of Strength Shrines will either be greatly reduced, or have a much larger variety of enemies to fight so they don't all feel too similar as well.