Despite being among the most infamous enemies in the first game, it's unclear if Guardians will return to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but the upcoming sequel could have the best framework for their comeback. Many players can recall the first time they heard the jingle of piano keys that would soon haunt them as they came face-to-face with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Guardians, an experience that soon made them synonymous with the game. But while some believe that the Guardians shouldn't be the focus in Tears of the Kingdom, there's still potential left untapped in this enemy type.
Given what is known so far about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, not only would the Guardian's absence be deeply felt among players already familiar with Breath of the Wild, but their return could take on an all-new role. Between the floating islands and Ganondorf's revival being among Tears of the Kingdom's recurring selling points across its trailers, the Guardian's evolution from Breath of the Wild could be informed by these changes. This could include possible connections to the Guardian's original creators and their eponymous kingdom to new variations of Guardians to expand in-air combat.
How Guardians Could Connect The Two Stories in Tears of the Kingdom
In previous Zelda games, armies led by Ganondorf consisted of a range of enemies, many of which were reflected in Breath of the Wild through Moblins, Keese, Stalfos, and more. But while some missing fan-favorite enemies could return in Tears of the Kingdom such as Redeads or Darknuts, the Guardians were one of Breath of the Wild's most significant innovations to the Zelda timeline and pool of "enemies." Though not fully understood and intended only as an autonomous defense for Hyrule, the ancient technology behind the Guardians was overcome by Ganondorf's influence and turned against the kingdom.
Given the sequel's cryptic subtitle Tears of the Kingdom and a potential exploration into Hyrule's past to uncover how Ganondorf came to be sealed beneath its surface, it has been left to debate which "kingdom" the game will explore. With their origins tied to the technologically-advanced and enigmatic Sheikah, the Guardians could be further explored than the surface-level lore delivered by Breath of the Wild and could reveal a hidden past where the Sheikah and Ganondorf warred against one another prior to the games' version of Hyrule. Their inclusion then is necessary as a connective thread between the two games' narratives.
The Guardians Could Improve With Tears of the Kingdom's Gameplay
However, story aside, it's likely that the Guardians could return in some capacity due to their prominence in key areas of Breath of the Wild, such as Shrines and Hyrule Castle. But instead of just returning with the same forms they've been seen previously in, Tears of the Kingdom has an opportunity to redevelop these designs and take advantage of its new world. For instance, to accompany the floating islands and rumored improvements to aerial combat in Tears of the Kingdom, Guardian Skywatchers could become more aggressive while Guardian Stalkers could adapt to climbing the walls of said islands all in pursuit of the player.
These changes would need to be narratively justified, though, as in Breath of the Wild the Guardians were restored to working order as they are. But further to Ganondorf's influence which took control of them, Malice in Tears of the Kingdom could have an equally new, more insidious role. Paralleling the Malice Guardians seen in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Tears of the Kingdom could see Guardians become corrupted by malice and begin to transform similar to how Breath of the Wild's Blights manifested. As a result, the Guardians' return in Tears of the Kingdom could turn them into an even more dangerous foe.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is set to release on May 12, 2023, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
