With the overwhelming critical acclaim of 2017's Breath of the Wild, the expectations for the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom couldn't be higher. What seems like an added emphasis on storytelling remedies the most significant issues many had with the Switch's launch title, and Nintendo will look to replicate the success by once again leaning into the open-world formula. Exploration was at the heart of Breath of the Wild's charm, but while stumbling on a shrine or following the clues to a Korok seed appealed to players' sense of wonderment, there is always room for improvement.
Like Breath of the Wild did, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom could lean into the franchise's storied past to extract something great to make the 2023 release truly special. Majora's Mask is one of the most polarizing games on the Nintendo 64, and while its 3-day cycle is hated as much as it is loved, the mask collecting often overshadows the fantastic and melancholic storytelling. Approaching Tears of the Kingdom similarly would contribute to the fun, and display wisdom fitting of the Kingdom of Hyrule.
Breath of the Wild's Hyrule is Perfect for Side Content
Hyrule is a diverse, interesting, and satisfying setting that entices players to explore all its corners. Nothing is overtly given, and discovering all the world's little curiosities does well to make a vast, empty map soon feel populated with characters, activities, and memories. The story in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is minimal to allow for all this to take center stage, but Tears of the Kingdom has to do something different if it hopes to stand out. Transferring the same bolt of lightning into a different bottle won't be enough of an advancement to the formula, and implementing more dense, substantial side quests would contribute to the progression of the franchise while still maintaining the heart of Breath of the Wild.
Because memorable characters were hard to come by outside the main storyline, plenty of the optional activities were largely forgettable. Collecting recipe ingredients or playing Hide and Seek in Kakariko Village wasn't worth it past the time they took to finish them, and giving players a tangible, gameplay-changing reward would further add to the atmosphere, engagement, world-building, and immersion. Majora's Mask knew this, and the items it had on offer had far more than just cosmetic value. This way Link would feel less alone, which was one of the best things about Breath of the Wild, but shouldn't necessarily be the case in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Majora's Mask is a Collectors' Paradise
Of the 24 available pieces of headwear to collect in 2000's Majora's Mask, just three are collected along the main story. The Goron, Deku, and Zora Masks are essential to the game's core design as dungeons rely on them to make each stand out. 20 do not have transformative abilities, but plenty have the power to make Link's journey easier or more enjoyable. From the Stone Mask's invisible capabilities to the Bunny Hood's added agility and speed, the title is greatly improved by their presence, and not collecting them only really feels like half of the experience.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is nothing revolutionary in the gameplay department, but does well to uphold what fans expect of a Zelda experience. Implementing a collectible that can change the way players approach the journey in Tears of the Kingdom would be exciting, and distance itself from its predecessor. Breath of the Wild needed more interesting and memorable side quests, and improving on them should be one of Nintendo's highest priorities.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launches May 12, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.
