In a gameplay demonstration for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma gave us “a brief glimpse” at what awaits us when we return to Hyrule.
This mainly showcased the new powers that Link will have at his disposal in this latest open-air adventure. The first demonstrated was Recall which rewinds an object’s movement, the example shown seeing it used on a rock that had fallen from the sky to allow Link to rise up to its origin.
The next power that was introduced is Fuse, which allowed Mr Aonuma to combine a tree branch with a boulder to create a makeshift hammer. It can be used to “stick objects together to create new weapons with various effects.” Another example shown was fusing two weapons together, which saw Mr Aonuma fuse a Long Stick with a Farmer’s Pitchfork to create a weapon “with a much longer attack range.”
You are also able to fuse arrows with materials in your inventory. He attached a Korok Frond to an arrow, before changing his mind and attaching a White Chuchu Jelly that added an ice-elemental effect and allowed him to freeze a nearby enemy. He then went on to fuse a Keese Eyeball with an arrow that allowed his next shot to home in on an enemy Keese.
Another example shown was Mr Aonuma fusing a Puffshroom to his Old Wooden Shield, which, once struck by an enemy, created a cloud of smoke that momentarily allowed him to sneak up behind them.
The next power was Ultrahand, which allowed Mr Aonuma to attach (and detach) three logs and two fans to create a makeshift boat to cross a river. This was the gameplay mechanic that was teased in a recent trailer, in which the development team had created a large car and a flying machine for Link to use.
The last power that was shown is Ascend, where, if you are in a location with a ceiling, you can use it to essentially warp up to the floor above you. “There are some restrictions, but what’s great about this ability is that as long as there’s a ceiling, you can use it anywhere” Mr Aonuma explains. The examples shown included entering a cave to reach the hill above it.
The anticipated sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will take you across the land and skies of Hyrule, where you will once again have the chance to chart your own path through its sprawling landscapes and mysterious floating islands. You will need to harness the power of Link’s new abilities to fight against the malevolent forces threatening the kingdom.
The company recently revealed the game’s amiibo support and plans to produce the Nintendo Switch OLED Model – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, a themed Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector’s Edition, which will include a physical copy of the game, an artbook with concept art, a SteelBook case, an Iconart steel poster and a set of four pin badges.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will release at retail and digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch worldwide on 12th May 2023.
