The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom managed to get good mileage out of a rather controversial mechanic, but it won’t continue to be necessary. In many ways, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom managed to expand on what Breath of the Wild did. It even managed to throw in completely new elements like the Ultrahand. Much of this experimentation was successful, and helped it become a title that can set the standard for future Zelda games. Even with so many good ideas, there is one that might not have a place in Link’s next adventure.
The mechanics of Tears of the Kingdom mesh well with the game’s nature as an open-world adventure. Cooking and climbing are fun additions that add an extra feeling of rugged survival to Link’s journey. Having so many weapons and sets of armor to use also adds an amount of customization that most Zelda titles do not have, giving the game even more of an identity in the series. Of course, the Ultrahand is a phenomenon in its own right, letting players put their imagination to use to create all kinds of machines and structures. In terms of gameplay, Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t disappoint.
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Tears of the Kingdom’s Weapon Durability Mechanic Might Not be Necessary in the Series’ Future
Breakable Weapons Were a Part of Tears of the Kingdom’s Formula
The introduction of weapon durability in Breath of the Wild was one of the more contentious additions to the game, and one that Tears of the Kingdom continued. While Link can pick up a lot of weapons in Tears of the Kingdom, all of them aside from the Master Sword will eventually break. Theoretically, this could encourage players to try a lot of different weapons, since they’ll be switching them out a lot anyway. However, it has the downside of discouraging players from using particularly strong or cool weapons too much. After all, using them will bring them closer to getting broken.
The Giant’s Knife From Ocarina of Time broke after a few swings, but it was that game’s only breakable weapon.
Weapon Durability Could Be Another Short-Term Legend of Zelda Gimmick
Breakable weapons might not have a place in The Legend of Zelda‘s future for a few reasons. Mechanics have come and gone from the series in an almost game-by-game basis. Things like the three-day cycle in Majora’s Mask and Zelda possessing a suit of armor in Spirit Tracks are specific to those games. A major reason why Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom shared so many mechanics is because they are a duology that follow the same storyline. The next Legend of Zelda title that isn’t tied to them will probably see many mechanical changes, including where weapons are concerned.
The Next Zelda Game Could Consider Multiple Weapons Again
Tears of the Kingdom‘s approach to weapons still has one silver lining. The many weapons in Tears of the Kingdom that were available to Link are an idea that is worth revisiting. After all, Link has historically had access to plenty of weapons in his adventures, including bows, bombs, boomerangs, and more. His arsenal is even a major inspiration on his Super Smash Bros. moveset. Letting Link swap to other melee weapons like axes and spears could provide an opportunity for more approaches to combat. Tears of the Kingdom‘s ability to make weapons through fusion arguably strengthens that argument.
Weapon durability is one aspect of Tears of the Kingdom that probably doesn’t need to return. There will probably be a new mechanic in the next Legend of Zelda that gameplay will be based around, as has happened many times before. Maybe Link will even be able to wield multiple weapons again. However, the management that comes from breakable weapons may not be necessary anymore. It was a good fit for Tears of the Kingdom‘s formula, but the next Legend of Zelda won’t need such a mechanic, and it could be refreshing to freely wield a variety of weapons again.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
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May 12, 2023
- ESRB
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Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Havok
