Some time after The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's launch, many players are still working their way across the largest Hyrule to ever grace a Zelda game. Tears of the Kingdom is filled to the brim with things to do, whether that is as grand as saving a tribe from Ganondorf's influence or as small as helping a Korok reach their friend. It's overwhelming at first, but players will quickly find their groove and start completing quests and Shrines all across the kingdom.
Even though the game has been out for a while, new players are likely still pouring in. The sheer amount of choice Tears of the Kingdom presents can be overwhelming to someone not used to it. Fortunately, TotK is a little more direct than its predecessor Breath of the Wild in suggesting what players should do first. Making use of all the tools the game has prepared should help any newcomer start their adventure in Tears of the Kingdom off on the right foot.
Explore the Great Sky Island
After the opening sequence, players are deposited into a prologue area of sorts called the Great Sky Island. Sectioned off from the rest of Hyrule until players have completed its trials, this is a great place to learn the ropes of Tears of the Kingdom. Not only that, it also demonstrates how much the game rewards exploration. Players practice their arm powers, gathering, and basic combat, but they may also find the invaluable Warm Doublet, as well as several Zonai installations like a forge and a Device dispenser. Learning about these things early can make navigating the rest of Hyrule much more bearable.
Visit Lookout Landing Early and Often
Speaking of which, there is one location that players should make a beeline for after the Great Sky Island, and that is Lookout Landing in Central Hyrule. Situated in the ruins near the floating Hyrule Castle, this small fort serves as the player's base of operations. After every major story event, players can visit Lookout Landing for new guidance, changes within the camp, and conveniences like a bed and cooking pot. If nothing else, it's necessary to progress the main quest at Lookout Landing so that Link can pick up Tears of the Kingdom's all-important Paraglider.
Tour Central Hyrule, Then Head Northwest
Purah will recommend that players start their journey by heading to Rito Village, but there's no need to rush. Central Hyrule is roughly on par with the player's starting strength, and they should explore it thoroughly. Shrines and sidequests dot the fields, and finding Hestu as well as starting the Great Fairies' Side Adventure will help in the long run. Progressing northwest will pass several Stables, all of which contribute to various Side Adventures. This path eventually culminates in Rito Village, followed by the recommended first dungeon. After all that, players should be ready to explore the rest of Tears of the Kingdom.
Follow Robbie and Josha’s Quests to the Depths
With that said, there's one more important early stop. Some will have noticed that even after gaining Link's main powers, parts of their menus are still blank. Most outstanding mechanics are tied to the Sheikah scientist Robbie, who should immediately be spoken to in Lookout Landing. Beginning his chain of quests will not only reward things like camera functionality, but also directions from Lookout Landing's Josha toward the final arm power and another Side Adventure after any dungeon is complete. The process should ease newcomers into the Depths, with these quests walking players through the safest parts. Getting the final arm power is a massive quality of life upgrade, so preparing for an early trek into the Depths is a must.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now for Nintendo Switch.
