With The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom approaching its long-awaited release, hopes are high that the game will address some of Breath of the Wild's flaws - including the first game's relative lack of Zelda mythology. Taking place in the same post-apocalyptic Hyrule as its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom is a rare direct sequel in the Zelda series, allowing it the opportunity to build on Breath of the Wild's solid foundations. At the same time, however, the game is also faced with some intense pressure to live up to the first game's massive scope and success.
Being a massive departure from the traditional Zelda formula, Breath of the Wild's bold open-world direction, while massively successful, has nevertheless also left out some of the Zelda franchise's most iconic aspects. With the sequel shaping up to be even more ambitious, however, there's hope for TOTK to bring back things missing from BOTW. With more recent trailers seeming to address some of BOTW's most commonly cited failings, like low enemy variety and lackluster dungeons, however, there's one more aspect of post-apocalyptic Hyrule that Tears of the Kingdom could improve on - the world's relative lack of actual Zelda mythology.
Tears Of The Kingdom Can Revisit Classic Zelda Mythology
With Breath of Wild lacking in Zelda mythology, TOTK can bring the series' more mystical aspects to the forefront. Figures from past Zelda games, like Wind Waker's deities or Ocarina of Time's sages, could serve TOTK's Hyrule well with re-imagined designs or roles, giving the world's lore more of an engagement with the series' ever-expanding mythology. With Tears of the Kingdom's story and trailers already somewhat hinting at more of an emphasis on mystical aspects, it could serve the game well to strengthen its ties to the greater series, as well as the mythical aspects present in BOTW.
TOTK Should Expand On Its Mystical Elements & Zelda Connections
Aside from pulling from past Zelda mythology, however, Tears of the Kingdom could also do well to build on the aspects already present in Breath of the Wild. In particular, the game's three roaming dragons, Farosh, Naydra, and Dinraal, serve little purpose other than material farming and shrine unlocks - with only Naydra providing more in the form of an optional boss fight. Assuming that they, and other entities like the Lord of the Mountain, return in Tears of the Kingdom, their roles could be expanded in more interesting ways, similar to how TOTK can revisit underused BOTW locations.
As Tears of the Kingdom builds on the foundations laid by Breath of the Wild, there are plenty of aspects of the first game that stand to strongly benefit from a second . And while the sequel's gameplay additions look to be solid additions to the open world, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom could also do well to expand on its Zelda mythology and lore.
Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube
