The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looks like a dangerous journey, but it could surprisingly give Link more time to socialize than ever before. The trailers have already given an indication that Link will not be spending as much time traveling alone as usual, suggesting a different dynamic from most Zelda stories. Despite all the chaos and destruction that the trailers have shown, Hyrule is far from desolate. From what can be seen, Link may end up having more allies than ever in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
With Tears of the Kingdom being the sequel to Breath of the Wild, there is a wealth of reasons for players to expect the two games to be similar in tone. Breath of the Wild added survival elements that previous games didn't feature. Link had to cook his own food for a reliable source of healing, and prepare for hot and cold environments accordingly. These elements made Link's journey feel much harsher, especially when trekking across all corners of the open world. These elements all contributed to a feeling of isolation, with Link exploring the massive world of Hyrule alone for the most part.
Link Will Not Be Alone In Tears Of The Kingdom
The latest trailer not only revealed Ganondorf's return in Tears of the Kingdom, but a few more details about Link's adventure that added further intrigue. One prominent shot featured Link riding a horse while towing a wagon full of people, indicating that he will be traveling in a group at some points during the game. Considering the state of Hyrule, both in rebuilding following Breath of the Wild's events and surviving Ganondorf's revival, the assistance of someone as strong as Link would be useful. Players shouldn't be surprised to find themselves aiding Hyrule's various settlements during the adventure.
Another important thing spotlighted in the trailer is the return of Breath of the Wild's Champions' Descendants. After the original Champions all passed on, it's good to see that the new generation is still ready to help Link in a fight, with Sidon in particular showing off his skills in the trailer. It seems that the champions won't be the only ones willing to lend their strength either, as various other characters are shown standing with Link and fighting monsters alongside him. Although they're clearly not as strong as Link, it's a nice indication that Link is not alone in his fight against evil.
All the active NPCs shown off in the new trailer show a change in Tears of the Kingdom's Hyrule compared to past games. It seems that Link's return in Breath of the Wild has managed to give the people of Hyrule hope, especially after his defeat of Calamity Ganon. The sight of battle-ready villagers, most of whom likely had no intention of becoming heroes in their own right, shows that Hyrule as a whole is willing to stand up to Ganon because they know he can be defeated. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Tears of the Kingdom's story.
The new revelations in Tears of the Kingdom's most recent trailer show Hyrule to be alive and active, more so than past installments. While Tears of the Kingdom's dungeons will still likely have to be faced by Link himself, the knowledge that he will not always be leaping into the fight alone is a big shift compared to the past. Link will not only be going on quests to help the people of Hyrule, but they will return the favor as best they can. From simple villagers to the mighty Champions, Link certainly won't be short on friends in Tears of the Kingdom.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be released on May 12, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.
