Tears of the Kingdom can’t come quickly sufficient

One of the numerous issues I really like in regards to the Zelda sequence is that every sport has its personal distinctive vibe — from the cartoony wholesomeness of Wind Waker to the downright spooky environment of Majora’s Mask. Of course, I’m excited to see how the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel, which we now know is known as Tears of the Kingdom, will innovate on the gameplay mechanics from its predecessor, however even moreso, I’m pumped to see how the story of the world has modified since we final checked in with the Hylian hero.

When folks ask me what my favourite online game tales are, they’re normally confused to listen to that I add Breath of the Wild to that checklist. The sport has minimal storytelling apart from the optionally available recollections you possibly can go round and discover. What I feel it does higher than simply about some other sport, although, is making a world that not solely feels lived-in, however that has a wealthy historical past hiding slightly below the floor.

You’re always coming throughout these ruins and questioning precisely what occurred, normally left with none definitive solutions. Most importantly, although, you’re seeing the world after the entire thrilling stuff has already occurred — Ganon has already received, and the inhabitants of Hyrule are surviving, not flourishing. It’s an concept that in all probability sounded dangerous throughout early improvement, however paired with among the most pitch-perfect sport design we’ve ever seen, it created some of the hauntingly peaceable and but endlessly fascinating sport worlds in current reminiscence.

A shift in tone

Enter Tears of the Kingdom — from the get-go, it’s straightforward to see how the sport shall be utilizing the identical artwork type and constructing upon the identical mechanics. However, the tone has shifted considerably, and reasonably than seeing the world by an harmless incarnation of Link, our hero seems like he’s been by so much based mostly on his left arm alone.

At this level, attempting to infer any important story from the minimal particulars we’ve gotten from the trailers up to now could be a waste of time, however I feel it’s truthful to say that Tears of the Kingdom will see the sequence return to a darker vibe — even simply from the title alone. I’d wager to say that it’s the right time for some edgier Zelda content material, contemplating we haven’t gotten a mainline entry that wasn’t a remaster with a gritter tone since perhaps Twilight Princess again in 2006.

The world has modified so much since 2017, which feels just like the understatement of the century. Things are worse now on the entire, and by saying something in any other case, we’d be outright mendacity to ourselves.

Finding that means in darkness

It’s all the time nice to see Link and Zelda return, however this time seeing them face darkness in a visceral, instant manner feels fairly well timed. Seeing the scattered stays of Hyrule floating within the air is a wonderful picture, and perhaps I took one too many college-level English programs, however it feels very symbolic of their world being altered past recognition, and having to do what they will to outlive with the remaining items.

Regardless of my over-analyzation, we’d like tales of overcoming darkness towards unattainable odds now greater than ever. Tears of the Kingdom’s launch is anticipated for therefore many various causes — gameplay improvements, stunning worldbuilding, a return to traditional characters we all know and love — however one of many issues I’m trying most ahead to is its story reflecting the darkness that all the time appears to be looming over our heads.

Part of me wonders how a lot Tears of the Kingdom’s story and aesthetics have been already deliberate out years upfront, or in the event that they’re a extra instant response to what we’ve been dealing with. Either manner, I’ve nothing however full religion that Nintendo goes to knock this one out of the park, and the anticipation of its launch on May 5, 2023 shall be what retains me going till then.

Story Beat is a weekly column discussing something and all the pieces to do with storytelling in video video games.