On the surface, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Destiny 2: Lightfall have very little in common. One of them is a high-fantasy, open-world RPG that relies on crafting and exploration, while the other is a Sci-Fi looter-shooter expansion. The only major thing these two games have in common is that they're some of the most anticipated releases of the year. But if fans dig a little deeper, they may start to notice just a few more little similarities between one of Destiny 2: Lightfall's new mechanics, and one of Tears of the Kingdom's new features.
Based on the trailers released so far, it seems as though players will have access to an array of new abilities in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While the Sheikah Slate powered Link's abilities in Breath of the Wild, it seems he can do things alone this time around, with a new, glowy robotic arm. Destiny 2: Lightfall is also set to add some new abilities to the long-running looter-shooter, all coming from a new glowing element known as the Strand, which emanates out of the player's hand. It's a simple similarity, but it's interesting that both of these highly anticipated games feature a glowing, magical hand.
Link's New Robot Arm Looks a Lot Like Destiny 2: Lightfall's Strands
While Destiny 2: Lightfall is set to add a plethora of new content to the game, its new Strand feature is by far its most exciting addition. A glowing green web of strings, the Strand can be used by players in a variety of different ways, from offensive to defensive to traversal. With Destiny 2: Lightfall set to release in just a few weeks now, Bungie has just given fans some more details on how this Strand will actually work in terms of actual gameplay.
Destiny 2 players will soon be able to use the Strand to "Weave" new objects into existence, "Unravel" targets to debuff those around them, "Suspend" enemies in the air, "Tangle" themselves to cause damage upon being hit, and create "Woven Mail" that reduces damage and flinch. Along with these general abilities, each Destiny 2 class will also have its own unique Strand powers. For instance, the Hunter can slam suspended enemies into the ground, the Warlock can summon little Threadling creatures, and the Titan's barrier now has an additional shockwave effect.
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Link is set to receive an arsenal of new abilities, all of which are seemingly controlled by his new, mysterious robotic arm. One of Link's new abilities seems to let him phase through solid objects and structures, with one trailer showing him rise up from the ground. Another ability seems to be a new version of Breath of the Wild's Stasis power, but perhaps with an added time element here, as Link is seen to stop a platform in mid-air, jump on it, and send it hurtling back into the sky, seemingly rewinding time.
On the whole, it doesn't really seem like Destiny 2: Lightfall's Strand and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's new robotic arm will have too much in common in terms of gameplay, but the two do like fairly similar. Both the Strand and Link's new arm emit an ominous neon glow, with both also appearing quite green in color. To activate these abilities, both Destiny 2's characters and Link also share some similar animations, with Link extending his arm forward with an outstretched palm, and Destiny 2's characters doing the same. The two features are likely to just be neat little coincides, but it's still fun to point out a similarity with two otherwise very different games.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launches May 12 for Nintendo Switch.
