Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – A Stunning Sequel Worth Playing

My journey with The Legend of Zelda series began during the pandemic when I watched my sister immerse herself in the enchanting world of Breath of the Wild. My curiosity piqued, I asked if I could take a turn. The moment I picked up the controller, I was instantly captivated—the game felt like a refreshing escape, offering a sprawling open world, rich exploration, and the freedom to play at my own pace. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to buy my own Nintendo Switch to dive into the adventure without needing to borrow hers!

Fast forward to May 12, 2023, when Tears of the Kingdom was released. This eagerly awaited sequel quickly became a phenomenal success, earning numerous awards and nominations. Although it didn’t clinch Game of the Year, it proudly secured the title of Best Action-Adventure Game—testament to its outstanding gameplay and immersive world-building. Even today, Tears of the Kingdom enjoys immense popularity, with millions of players continuously discovering its vast landscape, even without online multiplayer features.

Discovering The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

At first glance, Tears of the Kingdom appears to be just an upgraded version of Breath of the Wild, showcasing familiar gameplay and an expansive open-world environment. Some critics might even label it a "glorified DLC," but I couldn't disagree more—Tears of the Kingdom truly evolves beyond its predecessor in exciting ways. While the fundamental gameplay feels reminiscent, the new features, expanded landscapes, and innovative mechanics create a fresh, engaging experience that lets you explore Hyrule in a whole new light.

In today’s gaming world, many fans anticipate every sequel to present shiny new graphics, a different engine, and completely new locales. However, for me, that's not the essence of a great sequel. If a game provides a fantastic experience, even with a touch of nostalgia, I'm all in! Tears of the Kingdom manages to do this beautifully, refining and building on what made Breath of the Wild special while integrating groundbreaking abilities and novel ways to navigate its world.

Maintaining the action-adventure spirit of its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom invites players to wield various weapons and shields, tackle puzzles with unique powers, and roam a vast open world teeming with stunning visuals and hidden treasures. Whether you’re soaring through the skies, diving deep into the depths, or crafting quirky contraptions with the new Ultrahand ability, the game opens up endless possibilities for exploration and adventure in Hyrule.

What I Adore About The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

There’s so much to love in Tears of the Kingdom! From gathering weapons and armor to exploring every nook and cranny of Hyrule and snapping breathtaking in-game photos, the experience is rich. Whether it’s discovering hidden gems, playing around with Zonai devices, or battling Ganondorf’s minions, the game delivers countless ways to enjoy your adventure.

If I had to narrow it down, four standout features make this journey truly unforgettable for me.

Building with Ultrahand and Autobuild in Tears of the Kingdom

One of the standout mechanics in Tears of the Kingdom is the Ultrahand ability, paired with Fusing and Autobuild. This amazing feature lets you seamlessly attach and detach objects, creating limitless creative possibilities. As you explore the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule, you can gather materials and construct everything from sleek boats and airplanes to sturdy four-wheeled carts. The only real limit is your imagination, and I love how this system promotes fun experimentation!

The Joy of Item Collecting – Weapons, Armor, and Materials

One of the greatest thrills of open-world gaming for me is the exhilaration of collecting items. Whether it's discovering powerful weapons, finding hidden outfits, or gathering rare materials, Tears of the Kingdom is absolutely laden with treasures waiting to be uncovered. What truly enhances the experience is that every collectible has its own use, making every exploration and resource-gathering adventure feel incredibly rewarding. I’ve set my sights on collecting them all!

The Enchantment of Light in Hyrule

When I mention "lights," I’m referring to all those handy items that illuminate dark spaces, like torches, Lightroots, and Brightbloom Seeds. There’s even special armor that glows, helping you shine a light in Hyrule’s darkest corners. Navigating through pitch-black areas with just a torch is an exhilarating experience, and the game’s lighting effects are absolutely stunning!

Capturing Hyrule with Photo Mode

In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the Camera Rune—part of the Purah Pad that resembles a Nintendo Switch—has become one of my beloved tools. It lets you snap breathtaking shots of Hyrule’s beautiful landscapes. With so many picturesque spots, I’ve snapped over 100+ photos using the in-game camera, not to mention all the extra screenshots I've taken on my Nintendo Switch!

Customizing Your Dream Home in Hyrule

Both Tears of the Kingdom and its prequel allow you to have your own home, but the latest game elevates this feature. In Tears of the Kingdom, you can buy land and construct your house after completing a quest for Rhondson. Unlike in Breath of the Wild, where homeownership was more limited, this installment offers extensive customization options. You can buy new rooms and connect them using the Ultrahand ability.

Your home serves as a storage space for your weapons, shields, and bows, but now you have even more ways to make it uniquely yours. While I wish a farming feature were included for added depth, the expanded housing system still provides a satisfying opportunity to create a personal space in the vibrant world of Hyrule.

Top Enemies to Battle in Tears of the Kingdom

In the vast landscapes of Hyrule, Tears of the Kingdom is packed with some truly exciting enemy encounters. From spine-chilling horrors hiding in the dark to fierce beasts challenging your combat mastery, every clash is both exhilarating and gratifying. Here are two of my favorite foes to take on in the game.

Gloom Spawn – The Ultimate Nightmare Fuel

Without a doubt, Gloom Spawn takes the top spot for me! These creepy, shadowy hands drop Dark Clump materials and pave the way for an even bigger challenge—Phantom Ganon. You’ll feel the tension in the air when they’re near, as the sky darkens, and they burst from the ground, creating an eerie feeling.

If you face them early in your journey, they can be exceptionally tough. But with a bow and some Bomb Flowers, they become a breeze to take down. When it comes to Phantom Ganon, mastering perfect dodges and counters is crucial—it's one of the best strategies for farming powerful weapons!

Lynels – The Ultimate Combat Challenge

Another top contender for my favorite enemy is the Lynel, renowned as one of the hardest foes in the game. Even in the mid to late game, these beasts stay fierce, particularly the Silver and Gloom-infested versions.

The secret to conquering a Lynel is mastering your counters. Don’t hesitate to unleash your best weapons—it’s totally worth the effort! Taking down a Lynel grants you some of the most powerful weapons and shields, making them an excellent choice for farming high-tier gear.

Essential Tips for Kicking Off Your Tears of the Kingdom Adventure

Jumping into the world of Tears of the Kingdom can be a bit daunting, but with some clever tips, you can enhance your journey through Hyrule and make it more enjoyable. I’m here to share some handy insights from my own playthrough to help you hit the ground running (without spilling too many secrets)!

1. Dive into the Depths Early
   • Activate Lightroots right away to unlock fast-travel points and brighten up the underground.
   • Stockpile Bomb Flowers—they're game-changers against tricky foes like Gloom Spawn.
   • Collect Brightbloom Seeds to light up shadowy spots whenever you need.
2. Farm Zonaite for Sweet Energy Upgrades
   • Keep an eye out for Zonaite in the Depths. It’s super important for enhancing your Energy Cell, giving you more juice for Zonai devices when you use the Ultrahand.
3. Make Easy Rupees with Hunting in Hebra
   • Venture to the Hebra region and hunt down Moose, Wolves, and Rhinoceros. They drop Gourmet Meat, which can fetch a solid price.
   • Pro Tip: Cook five Gourmet Meats together and sell them for maximum profit! There are other ways to earn rupees in the game but this one is by far the norm if you don't want to use glitch.
4. Embrace Stealth to Save Your Weapons
   • Running low on weapons? Sneak up on enemies and take them out quietly. This way, you won’t exhaust the durability of your best gear.
5. Repair Beloved Weapons with Rock Octoroks
   • Have a favorite weapon on the verge of breaking? Seek out a Rock Octorok, let it inhale your weapon, and it'll return it to you fully repaired!

These tips will surely help you navigate the challenges of Tears of the Kingdom and have a blast while doing it!

Capture Hyrule’s Beauty in Tears of the Kingdom Photo Mode

Tears of the Kingdom expands the map even more than its predecessor, taking exploration to exhilarating new heights—both in the skies above Hyrule and within the mysterious Depths below. The result? Absolutely breathtaking scenery!

As I traveled through this beautiful world, I couldn’t help but snap photos of stunning landscapes, iconic locations, and some of Hyrule's most charming NPCs (haha). Below, I’m sharing some of my favorite shots—rest assured, there are no spoilers! I hope you love them as much as I enjoyed capturing them. 📸✨

Final Thoughts on Tears of the Kingdom

Tears of the Kingdom isn't just a sequel; it's an epic expansion of everything that made Breath of the Wild shine. With new mechanics, deeper exploration, and exciting challenges, this game takes your adventure to a whole new level. You'll love using Ultrahand to build wild contraptions, roam a vast open world, and experience fresh combat mechanics.

Whether you’re snapping breathtaking photos, facing intense foes like Gloom Spawn and Lynels, or honing your survival skills in the Depths, there’s always something new around the corner. The game is designed to reward creativity and strategy, ensuring that each playthrough feels genuinely unique.

Even after you've tackled the main storyline, Tears of the Kingdom transforms into a playground for adventurers, proving why it has a devoted fanbase. If you haven’t jumped into this adventure yet—what are you waiting for? Hyrule is calling your name!

Disclaimer: All images used in game reviews are from their respective games and are © their respective publishers. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom images are © Nintendo. This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo or any other game publisher.