Guess Who’s Back, Back Again: The Demon King Ganondorf
The latest trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom finally confirms the return of Ganondorf, Link’s long-time nemesis. We’ve seen hints of his presence in previous trailers, but this one gives us a clear look at the King of Evil himself, complete with a new rendition of his theme music. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Ganondorf in his human form, his last appearance being in 2006’s Twilight Princess. While Calamity Ganon was the main antagonist in Breath of the Wild, he was not in his human form. This trailer also includes a voiceover line from Ganondorf himself, declaring: “Do not look away. You witness a king’s revival, and the birth of his new world.” This suggests that Ganondorf may not be the only villain at play in Tears of the Kingdom.
Is This the Zonai Leader, or Someone Else?
The Zonai, an ancient tribe hinted at in Breath of the Wild, appear to play a significant role in Tears of the Kingdom. At the 1:42 mark of the new trailer, we see a new character with a sinister look, sporting gold horns, dark skin, and long, pointy white hair. While their allegiances remain unknown, this character might be a Zonai leader. Some fans have pointed out that this figure closely resembles the character depicted in the wall hieroglyphics from the game’s first trailer, suggesting a position of power and connection to the “Tears of the Kingdom.” The character is also surrounded by seven magatama-like objects, which might hold the key to the game’s title.
Are These the Tears of the Kingdom?
The trailer might provide an answer to the meaning of Tears of the Kingdom‘s title. Throughout the video, numerous characters are seen holding magatamas that are likely the titular Tears. Zelda holds one, Zora Prince Sidon wears one on his hand, and Ganondorf even has one on his forehead. Could Link be tasked with finding the seven Tears of the Kingdom? Are these Tears related to the Zonai? How did Zelda come into possession of a Tear? These questions remain unanswered. The Zelda series is no stranger to MacGuffins, such as the Sacred Tears in Skyward Sword and the Tears of Light in Twilight Princess. This recurring motif further strengthens the connection between Tears of the Kingdom and these previous titles.
Zelda’s Whereabouts Revealed
After her fall into a chasm in a previous trailer, Zelda finally reappears. She now wears new earrings and accessories that resemble Zonai iconography, showcasing the tribe’s pervasive influence in this new adventure. We see Zelda talking to an unnamed figure about Link, their face hidden behind Zonai robes. The figure mentions that Link is their last line of defense, while Zelda expresses surprise at their knowledge of him. The trailer ends with Zelda saying, “Link, you must find me,” while holding the Master Sword.
The Restored Master Sword, and a Potential Link to the Past
The Master Sword, seen broken in previous footage and even featured in the game’s logo, appears fully intact in the latest trailer, held by Zelda. This begs the question of how it was restored. Time travel could be the answer. In Breath of the Wild, Impa tells Link about the first Great Calamity, mentioning a hero with the Master Sword fighting Ganon and a princess/goddess sealing him away. Link’s tattered green tunic resembles the hero’s from this legend, fueling theories that Tears of the Kingdom spans two timelines: present day and 10,000 years ago. The Master Sword’s restoration could indicate that Link travels back to a point before its destruction. If Zelda is in a different time than Link, her plea for him to find her might have a deeper meaning.
Is That Din, the Goddess of Power?
A brief glimpse of a new character with orange hair, pointy Hylian ears, and light magic similar to Zelda’s might offer further insights into the lore. This character could be Din, the Goddess of Power, who, along with Nayru and Farore, is central to Hyrule’s creation myth. Her appearance could be a first proper portrayal in a 3D Zelda title. This character’s attire and the yellow magatama/tear around her neck resemble Zelda’s, making her a possible transformed version of the princess.
Returning Champions
Link isn’t alone in this adventure. While Breath of the Wild was a solitary experience, Tears of the Kingdom introduces companions like Zora Prince Sidon and Gerudo Chief Riju, who were the Divine Beast pilots in the previous game. Tulin, Teba’s son, is also seen flying with Link. While the champions from 100 years ago, Revali, Mipha, Daruk, and Urbosa, don’t appear in this trailer, their potential roles in the story remain uncertain.
Hyrule’s Villagers Take Arms
Not only the champions are fighting alongside Link. We see Hyrule’s citizens joining the battle against Moblins and Bokoblins, equipping swords and shields. Link is even seen pulling a cart filled with villagers, suggesting expanded interaction with NPCs, an area that was lacking in Breath of the Wild.
Hyrule Is Rebuilding, Hateno Village Is Back
Hyrule is on its path to recovery, as seen by the new settlement forming near Hyrule Castle and the updated Hateno Village. The official website confirms new towns waiting to be explored, hinting at a revitalized Hyrule. The final scene of Breath of the Wild showed Link and Zelda rebuilding the kingdom, and this trailer demonstrates the progress made since then.
This Journey Begins in the Sky
As previously hinted, Tears of the Kingdom begins on the Sky Islands, similar to the Great Plateau in Breath of the Wild. It’s likely that the game’s opening moments will involve Link acquiring the Fuse, Ascend, Ultrahand, and Recall abilities before venturing into the rest of Hyrule.
Taking Things Underground
While the Sky Islands have dominated the marketing so far, the trailer reveals that the underground will also be explored. We see Link venturing into caves, even utilizing a minecart to fight a Construct enemy. The official website confirms underground exploration, mentioning “dank caves, and mysterious gaping chasms springing up across the world—all waiting to be explored.”
Classic Zelda Bosses Make a Comeback
Breath of the Wild was criticized for its limited enemy variety. Tears of the Kingdom addresses this concern by introducing several classic Zelda bosses. Gleeok, the three-headed dragon from the original Legend of Zelda game, makes a comeback. The trailer also features an ice spider-like creature and an ink blob-looking enemy. Returning foes like the Stone Talus and Lynels also appear, hinting at an expanded roster of enemies.
Did Nintendo Finally Show Us a Dungeon?
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of classic Zelda dungeons in Tears of the Kingdom. While the Sheikah Shrines and Divine Beasts were unique, they deviated from the traditional lock-and-key dungeon design. The trailer offers glimpses of a massive structure emerging from the ground in the Gerudo Desert and gameplay snippets showing Link solving puzzles indoors, suggesting the possibility of a classic dungeon experience.
Fuse Gets Crazier With a Sword Shield Combo
The Fuse ability, which allows Link to combine objects, was a standout feature of Tears of the Kingdom. The latest trailer shows off a truly bizarre combination: a sword and shield fused together, creating a weapon that’s both a sword and a shield, a testament to the limitless possibilities of Fuse.
Enemies Can Fight One Another
The trailer showcases enemies engaging in battles independent of Link. A Zonai Construct is seen fighting a Chuchu, hinting at a dynamic world where enemies have their own rivalries. This subtle detail adds a layer of realism to the game’s environment.
Is That a Flying Squirrel Suit?
The trailer features Link gliding through a laser-filled tunnel wearing a flying squirrel-like gliding suit. This quirky addition could revolutionize traversal across the Sky Islands and back down to the world below.
A New Sheikah Slate?
While the Sheikah have been absent from the marketing so far, the trailer features a brief shot of Link holding what seems to be a Sheikah Slate. This hints at the potential return of Sheikah tech and the abilities associated with the Slate.
Make Way for the Construct Mech
The trailer introduces a massive, mech-like Zonai emerging from a wall. The Zonai’s role in the game remains ambiguous, but this construct suggests their potential as formidable enemies.
A UFO Invasion
A fleet of flying ships descends from the sky, hinting at a possible Zonai invasion from outer space. This concept is not entirely new, as a space invasion was originally planned for Breath of the Wild.
Blastoff!
The trailer culminates with Link blasting off from the ground on a hand rocket, potentially built using the Ultrahand ability or a new item. This showcases the game’s embrace of new technologies, which promises exciting gameplay possibilities for players.
This trailer has provided an unprecedented amount of information about Tears of the Kingdom. With its release just around the corner, fans eagerly await the opportunity to explore the expanded world and discover the mysteries that lie within.
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