The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 has a huge task ahead of it. The 2017 Switch launch title didn't merely reinvent the Zelda formula, changing its traditionally linear dungeon-based format into an open-world Hyrule with interactive sim elements; it changed the landscape of open-world development across the industry. Following up that success while incorporating new content to advance the story and gameplay can't be easy.
Thus, it wasn't a huge surprise when Nintendo announced the game's delay to spring 2023. In a video posted March 29, 2022, series producer Eiji Aonuma promised Breath of the Wild 2 is expanding well beyond the first game's scope, assuaging concerns for why a sequel using the same engine and assets would take six years to produce. The delay caused Nintendo shares to fall, but with titles like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet launching this holiday the Switch's release schedule wasn't hit too hard. Fans also got a look at new footage in the Aonuma video, confirming the Master Sword will appear in a ruined state. Perhaps more interesting is the Hylian Shield is nowhere to be seen.
Zelda's Master Sword and Hylian Shield Are a Beloved Combo
Link's Blade of Evil's Bane is arguably one of the most recognizable weapons in popular culture, officially debuting in 1991 with A Link to the Past (the NES games utilized a precursor called the "Magical Sword" that makes separate cameos in games like Hyrule Warriors). Yet, the Master Sword is almost never depicted by itself. It's a one-handed blade that comes alongside the Hylian Shield in most marketing, matching its iconic blue hilt with a shield bearing the Triforce and a red Loftwing.
Of course, the recurring protagonist does not use a sword-and-shield all the time - even discounting the use of tools like his bow, hook- or clawshots, and magic rods. In The Wind Waker and Skyward Sword, Link is able to steal huge two-handed weapons ranging from Bokoblin sticks to Koloktos' ornate swords. Breath of the Wild and its spin-off Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity give Link a range of weapon types: one-handed weapons, two-handed weapons, and spears, with flails added in Age of Calamity's DLC.
Yet the "status quo" combination most associated with The Legend of Zelda is the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. This is even reflected in crossover promotions, such as Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate on 3DS and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim on Switch each receiving their own takes on the iconic set. However, Breath of the Wild does stand out for making it the strongest pairing for a one-handed weapon, which isn't always standard.
How Breath of the Wild Brought More to the Hylian Shield
A number of Zelda games don't include the Master Sword, such as Phantom Hourglass building up to the "Phantom Sword," or Minish Cap building up to the "Four Sword." More importantly, the Hylian Shield is not Link's final option in a wide spread of his adventures. The Mirror Shield is an upgrade available in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker, the Oracle duology, and more. It retains the Hylian Shield's resistance to burning and adds the ability to reflect light or elemental attacks, meaning Link will often approach the final boss with his Master Sword (or equivalent) and the Mirror Shield.
Breath of the Wild does not feature the Mirror Shield, and the Hylian Shield is hidden away more thoroughly than even the Master Sword. While a major aspect of Breath of the Wild's design is giving players the freedom to tackle any challenge in any order, even running straight to Ganon from the Great Plateau, the Master Sword is still a "major quest" locked to the Lost Woods. Casual fans are more likely to come across this region of Hyrule than they are the Hylian Shield, which is guarded by a Stalnox in the dungeons beneath Hyrule Castle. It's the strongest, most durable shield in the game, though it is still subject to breaking and does not automatically recharge like the Master Sword.
Where Breath of the Wild 2 May Stand on The Hylian Shield
Given they make the strongest sword-and-shield combo utilizing buffs against "evil" entities, anyone who thoroughly combs through Breath of the Wild's world will likely walk into Calamity Ganon's chamber using the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Yet marketing for Breath of the Wild 2 appears to only canonized Link obtaining the Master Sword. The Hylian Shield does not appear in the E3 2019 reveal trailer, E3 2021 teaser, nor Aonuma's delay announcement this March. The 2021 trailer offers a few shots in which Link uses the Traveler's Shield from Breath of the Wild, as well as an unknown white shield with what may be a Sheikah eye pattern.
It's odd that the Hylian Shield isn't seen prominently in the original 2019 trailer, wherein Link and Zelda are exploring the caverns beneath Hyrule Castle and the hero is using an intact Master Sword. The March delay footage adds fuel to that curious fire, as it appears the unknown white shield is attached to Link's back as he unsheathes the Master Sword to reveal its blade has been decimated; charred and full of holes.
With the shield not being a big quest item akin to the Master Sword, it is possible Breath of the Wild 2 will not make it canon at the start of the adventure. Alternatively, the Hylian Shield could be destroyed or lost during whatever encounter leads to the Blade of Evil's Bane being torn apart. This would help establish the new threat against Hyrule as a truly terrifying force, building power creep into the game's narrative by letting the player know they need even better defenses than they used against Calamity Ganon. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how Nintendo handles the Master Sword's companion in this upcoming sequel.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 releases in spring 2023 for Nintendo Switch.
