With little over a month until we can at long last play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, we’ve pored over the trailer that was shown at the Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 to uncover details that you may have missed amid the spectacle.
While largely speculative, everything that we have spotted could be regarded as spoilers – consider this a warning if you want to enjoy Link’s adventure with as many surprises as possible!
1. Koroks With Familiar Faces Are Littered Across Hyrule
We already know that Koroks will be hidden across Hyrule, not least in part to the guide listing that had revealed there will be 900 Korok Seed Puzzles to occupy our time with.
In the trailer, we can see Koroks that resemble Oakin, Rown and Olivio, who most players will have already met at the Forest Haven in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. It’s unclear what role they will have to play, but it’s certainly exciting to see them make such a prominent appearance in Link’s latest adventure.
2. The Master Sword of Resurrection’s Location
Cursed by Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and having sprouted in the Forest Haven in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, the Great Deku Tree returns to play a key role in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
An early scene reveals that the towering tree, surrounded by Koroks, has long protected the now rusted Master Sword of Resurrection. Later on, the Great Deku Tree bellows: “That look on your face tells me that you have no recollection of me, however. I think you are now ready… ready to hear what happens 100 years ago.” He is talking to Link in this scene, and we can see, for a second time, the Master Sword thrust into a stone pedestal in front of it.
We can guess that it was placed here to repair over time, and why it has taken so long for Link to awaken.
3. Calamity Ganon Summoned The Bokoblins With His Power
We know that Hyrule now lies in ruins, resulting from events that happened 100 years earlier. With Calamity Ganon contained at Hyrule Castle, the trailer appears to reveal that he unleashed his pink-infused power to corrupt the lands. This suggests that is how the Bokoblins came to appear in such heavy numbers, conjured into being by a malevolent force.
4. Stone Talus Is A Recurring Mini Boss
Stone Talus was a minor boss character that players could stumble across on the Great Plateau in the demo build that was playable at E3 2016. The trailer shows the creature, which constructs itself from boulders scattered across the ground, in a different location, suggesting that it will be a recurring threat to wandering heroes.
5. Sand Walruses Are The Best Way To Travel
If the chance to shield surf wasn’t exciting enough for you, then how about being pulled around desert plains by what everyone is affectionately calling sand walruses. An exciting scene in the trailer sees Link having strung a rope around one such creature, riding it as he evades a wide-jawed creature that resembles Wind Temple boss character Molgera from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. We can’t wait to take it on ourselves.
6. There Are Those That Now Hate The Sheikah
We see Link in a confrontation with an unknown warrior that attacks with a two-handed sword. Our only clue to their identity lies in their mask, which has an upside-down Sheikah symbol etched on it. We can speculate that these may be enemies that do not wish to see the Sheikah power return, a long-held grudge after the destruction that was wrought on Hyrule 100 years ago.
7. The Gorons, Zora And Gerudo Return
Hyrule is home to many races, but the trailer confirmed that the most familiar will make a return in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. We see scenes with who we can presume are a Goron Elder, a Zora Queen or Princess, and the leader of the Gerudo, who will each become involved with Link’s adventure in some way.
Other races are teased in the trailer, which we look forward to learning more about in March.
8. There Are Far Worse Enemies Than Guardians To Worry About
Guardians have long been shown as a dangerous threat that Link will face when travelling across Hyrule. But, there are far more fierce mechanical monstrosities that he will have to deal with in his quest.
These were shown in the trailer, with one clambering around Death Mountain and another trampling the desert. Now under Calamity Ganon’s control, we can assume that players will have to take them down somehow to weaken his power over Hyrule.
9. A Link To The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword
We see Princess Zelda bathing in the trailer, but, while it seems like a passable scene, the ruined location has a striking similarity to the Earth Spring in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
This was located in the Earth Temple, a place that was necessary for Zelda to visit in purifying her body as she learns what fate has in store for her as the mortal reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia. What role it will play in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is another matter.
10. The Guardians Destroyed Hyrule Castle Town
In the trailer, we witness Guardians that have been corrupted by Calamity Ganon lay waste to the town that surrounds Hyrule Castle. This is clearly a flashback to the events that occurred 100 years ago, but it also reveals another connection – this time to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD.
We can see the mechanical creatures scurrying over Castle Town Central Square, which, in an earlier scene, we see its once magnificent fountain now lie in ruins. With links to multiple adventures, that leaves us wondering exactly where The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will place in the overall timeline.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will release exclusively on Nintendo Switch and Wii U worldwide on March 3rd.
