The latest Nintendo Direct closed with a new trailer for The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. The awaited sequel to Breath of the Wild will be released on May 12th and there are still many details to discover about this title. We still don’t know how much the gameplay differs from its predecessor, just as we cannot express ourselves with certainty on the narrative scope of the work. So let’s try to analyze the recently released video, to try to discover new, precious clues about what is certainly one of the most anticipated adventures of 2023.
The new trailer for Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, scene by scene
Compared to previous films, this video provides a much more familiar and recognizable perspective on the game world. The theme is clearly that of the corruption of Breath of the Wild’s Hyrulewhich seems to have definitely fallen under the influence of Ganon and his Grudge (Malice).
The initial images give us back a panorama shrouded in darkness, where we can recognize some elements known as the imposing Monte Morte in the background and the disturbing cloud above it. In the landscape we can also see a mysterious green spiral construction whose function we ignore, but it is not the first time that such a thing has been shown in a Tears of the Kigdom trailer (this could prove its importance). Continuing with the landscape scenes, in addition to a new type of winged monster capable of carrying other enemies in flight, it is also possible to see structures that they seem to recall the Sheikah Towers from Breath of the WildBut this time something is different. Perhaps for containment purposes, Ganon’s henchmen have built constructions that project lights at the base of the towers. Furthermore, enemies could be more organized than ever and able to build more complex camps than in the past, so much so that it is possible to observe them recovering mineral resources at an excavation site.
Despite this, all monsters are clearly under Ganon’s influence, as evidenced by the red light coming from their eyes. Then there are the phosphorescent signs on the ground that light up the night green, particular engravings that are also briefly shown from the aerial perspective of the islands in the sky. Could these be the connection points – for landing and take-off – to be used to pass from the Hryule we know to the one suspended in the sky?
A bridge across Lake Hylia is now occupied by a mammoth three-headed fire dragon while the floating castle in the background could be the other epicenter of the Rancor outbreak. The creature guarding the passage is just one of the many new threats that will be introduced: compared to Breath of the Wild, the bestiary seems considerably expanded and even familiar faces now return in enhanced and corrupted versions.
We are provided with a new look at the village of Finterra, which now houses another of those spiral constructions already seen in the opening. In the distance, on the right side of the frame, another vertical construction stands out imposingly among the mountains of the region, perhaps not related to the Sheikah Towers.
At this point the trailer focuses on the Red Moon, which could play a crucial role in the return of Ganon. A voiceover, probably from the series’ antagonist, incites his subjects to destroy Hyrule without leaving anyone alive. Then a sequence starts in which Rancore shards (whose origin is not confirmed) are thrown on the surface of the earth. Then follows a powerful outburst of evil in the center of which we can see a silhouette that recalls the appearance of Ganon in the first trailer of Tears of the Kingdom: is this the moment in which the lord of evil is finally freed?
While the monsters are empowered by the negative influence, we can admire Link as he rides his steed in the vicinity of the floating castle. Between an escape from a Hinox and a negative deployment, we briefly find the hero trapped (or tested) in a room built with Sheikah technology: the warrior is surrounded by tentacles that seem to resemble the legs of an overturned Guardian.
After making a leap Link unfolds his new paraglider and glides over the Hyrule Plateaujust as happened in Breath of the Wild: it is clear that such sequences have been positioned to create a strong sense of continuity with the 2017 title. The clash with a mechanical Golem that takes place on one of the floating islands is also very interesting.
The protagonist’s opponent differs markedly from all the organic enemies faced so far, and seems to be based on Zonai technology, the now extinct ancient people of which we know very little but which could play a central role in the Tears of the Kingdom. At this point it’s time to jump back to the first presentation video of what was once known simply as “Breath of the Wild 2“. In fact, a short sequence is shown which is linked to the discovery of Ganon’s body by Link and Zelda. This time the antagonist is completely possessed by the Rancor, which manifests itself as a sort of beating heart that comes out of the chest and explodes in a blood red gaze. “Link, I’m afraid you won’t be able to defeat him either”. It is from the voice of a heartbroken Zelda that the second part of the trailer is introduced. In stark contrast to the gravity of the words just uttered, we finally have a bright overview of the sky over Hyrule and its islands: the time comes for the warrior to take off and reach the ground below without interruption. The video images show us grandiose scenarios and landscapes crossed by indecipherable signals on the ground.
Afterwards, new gameplay mechanics are introduced in rapid succession: we have a type of self-seeking arrows, a double-wielding Zonai weapon that fires projectiles with explosive power, and also new movement possibilities. The hero is now able to use his shield to “surf” on rail structures that look almost like a roller coaster.
Furthermore, a small hint of an environmental puzzle is given, with Link who, thanks to the power of his arm, manages to manipulate a contraption that changes the positioning of a floating structure. This mechanic is reminiscent of some of the puzzles focused on the use of the gyroscope present in the shrines of Breath of the Wild, but this time it seems that it is possible to move the devices even only on a single axis.
Link’s right arm seems to be the real novelty of Tears of the Kingdom and we are briefly shown a scene where an unidentified and “ghostly” female figure caresses what appears to be the structure that will give Link’s limb powers. Is it a gift from the goddess Hylia herself? Hard to say, given that the woman is elusive and Link can’t even shake her hand (indeed he finds himself with the new arm).
Also thanks to the limb, the protagonist manages to pull a sort of gigantic stone wheel out of the water and in the next scene we see him driving a vehicle that is nothing short of surprising. In fact, it seems that the vehicle was made in a hurry by adapting Zonai technologies to form a motorized frame, which is activated by the same green energy that pervades Link’s arm.
Holding all the pieces of this makeshift vehicle together is a material that is always greenish, with the appearance of having been placed in a somewhat improvised way. We find the same characteristics in a hot air balloon and in a kind of flying vehicle. In short, Tears of Kingdom could present a crafting system of the means designed to leave plenty of room for the imagination of the players. In short, through the appropriate schemes and the collection of specific resources, users should be able to give life to the most disparate vehicles, to facilitate exploration of heaven and earth.
The last exciting sequences
The trailer ends with a relapse into darkness: if in the other presentations it was clear that the main theme was the manipulation of the passage of time, the final musical motif reproduced in reverse immediately brings us back to this alteration of normality. And it is precisely at this moment, a moment before closing, that we go back to 2019 and to that underground expedition that will probably set the game’s events in motion. Link, devastated by the Grudge, and even before receiving his “new” arm as a gift, finds himself facing Ganon’s attacks, so powerful that he has also corrupted the power of the Master Sword.
“Please give him your power“. These are the words Princess Zelda spoke as she fell into a bottomless abyss. The prayer is probably addressed to that mysterious figure who gives Link the ability to manipulate objects and the passage of time through the movements of his right arm. This time, however, the perspective of the scene in which Zelda sinks into darkness is different from the one shown to us previously: we can see that Link is there, one step away from saving her, in a second that seems to crystallize in an endless instant, outside from time.
The mystery of the Zonai, the Hyrule suspended in the sky, the fate of Zelda and the new powers of Link: the Tears of the Kingdom fresco is finally taking shape and after years of waiting we are one step away from discovering the features that could make the game another epochal experience for owners of the hybrid console.
