Highlights

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is highly regarded as one of the best games of the year, surpassing its predecessor Breath of the Wild in terms of advancements and surprises. It is a must-play title for Nintendo Switch owners.
  • While the franchise has never been complacent, constantly reinventing itself with games like Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, the time may be ripe for a smaller Zelda experience. This could appeal to long-time fans while showcasing the series' ability to offer new experiences within a tried-and-tested structure.
  • Despite the overwhelming expansiveness of Tears of the Kingdom, a smaller game more reminiscent of the pre-Breath of the Wild era could be welcomed by fans. Variety in gameplay mechanics and innovation has always been a hallmark of the series, and providing different experiences can be exciting for players.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one of the most acclaimed games in a calendar year that is quickly becoming the best in modern memory. It made plenty of advancements over Breath of the Wild to craft something that will keep gamers' attention for months, and years later still has the means to surprise. Each is a must-play title for the Nintendo Switch, and whatever comes next has a lot to live up to.

It's hard to predict what will come after Tears of the Kingdom in large part because the franchise has never rested on its laurels. Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask shared plenty of assets, but The Wind Waker threw them out entirely for something new. Making something smaller is always an option, and after the freedom of the recent games, now could be the perfect time.

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There's Merit to the Smaller Zelda Experiences

Getting the Boomerang in The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening

Though Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are justifiably praised for their nonlinear approach to level design and their potential for user-generated fun, there is another side to Zelda that is as loved by fans and critics alike. The series deployed a familiar format in games like A Link to the Past, Minish Cap, and Link's Awakening, with the pacing, puzzles, and tightly-paced setting being the reason players kept coming back. It's comfortable for some, and the way each unfolds shows that Zelda can provoke new experiences using a tried-and-tested structure.

Now that the two Nintendo Switch exclusive games are on shelves and being enjoyed by millions, the impact of a smaller Zelda game can be higher than ever. In the days of the Super Nintendo and Game Boy, fans knew to expect a specific design, but the top-down and 'restricted' formula could now be a wonderful juxtaposition of the open-world projects to both appeal to long-time fans and also show that Zelda doesn't have to fully and unwaveringly commit to what Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom started. There will always be certain things that fans expect of Link's journeys, but those things can be adhered to even in something more compact.

Tears of the Kingdom is Big, Ambitious, and Often Overwhelming

Tears of the Kingdom Player Builds Utility Vehicle

In many ways, Tears of the Kingdom returns to the philosophy of the NES original with its open area and lack of a linear story. It's a legitimate Zelda experience because of this, but with the last couple of decades cementing a specific game design, the expansiveness of the 2023 offering can be overwhelming, even to those who have a history with the property. There is no guarantee that fans will like it as a result, and despite Tears of the Kingdom and its 2017 predecessor bringing in plenty of new players, there is still a core group of loyal fans who have to be catered for.

It would be so disheartening to know that Zelda will forever be adopting this new way, so a smaller game that is more akin to the pre-Breath of the Wild era would surely be welcomed. Knowing where to go next and what to expect is something that makes repeat playthroughs of The Wind Waker and Skyward Sword so exciting, as the scripted moments can be as thrilling as the curiosities that can be found in the open-world version of Hyrule. Zelda has never shied away from being both brave in its approach to innovation and unapologetic with its mechanics, and giving more variety to the seasoned series can only be a good thing.