Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Ending Explained, Story
by Janani | Updated May 16, 2023
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch in 2023. Serving as the sequel to "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" released in 2017, Tears of the Kingdom builds upon its predecessor's foundation, maintaining the expansive open-world environment of Hyrule while introducing new elements that allow for enhanced vertical exploration. The game follows the journey of Link, the courageous protagonist, as he teams up with Princess Zelda to confront the formidable Ganondorf, who poses a grave threat to the land of Hyrule.
The concept for Tears of the Kingdom originated from ideas that exceeded the scope of downloadable content (DLC) initially planned for Breath of the Wild. The development of the game was spearheaded by Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD) division, with Hidemaro Fujibayashi, the director of Breath of the Wild, and Eiji Aonuma, the producer, reprising their respective roles. A teaser for Tears of the Kingdom was unveiled at E3 2019, followed by a comprehensive reveal at E3 2021. Initially scheduled for release in 2022, the game experienced a delay and eventually launched in May 2023.
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Ending Explained
In "Tears of the Kingdom," Link successfully unites the races of Hyrule to form the six Sages and confronts a revitalized Ganondorf. They defeat his army, and Link engages in a one-on-one duel with Ganondorf, emerging as the victor. However, Ganondorf refuses to accept defeat and allows himself to be possessed by the Demon King, transforming into a massive Dark Dragon.
With the assistance of the Dragon of Light, who had been guarding the Master Sword, Link and the Dragon of Light battle the Demon Dragon together in the skies of Hyrule. After a hard-fought battle, they emerge triumphant, destroying the Demon King and restoring peace to the kingdom.
Following their victory, Link, Zelda, and the Sages journey to a sky palace resembling the place where the Demon King was initially defeated in Skyward Sword. There, the spirits of King Rauru and Queen Sonia appear, congratulating the heroes before vanishing, entrusting the responsibility of Hyrule to Link and Zelda once again. Although Calamity Ganon, Ganondorf, and the Demon King have been eradicated, the curse of Demise ensures that the threat of Ganon will always resurface in the future.
Tears of the Kingdom Timeline
"Tears of the Kingdom" began development in 2017 as ideas for DLC (downloadable content) for "Breath of the Wild" started to accumulate. Eventually, these ideas grew into a new game altogether. The announcement of the sequel came at E3 2019, where it was revealed as a direct continuation of "Breath of the Wild." At E3 2021, Nintendo showcased a trailer unveiling gameplay, and story elements, and initially announced a release window for 2022, which was later changed to Q2 2023.
Further details were disclosed in a September 2022 Nintendo Direct presentation, including the game's title, "Tears of the Kingdom," and a confirmed release date of May 12, 2023. Another Nintendo Direct in February 2023 provided additional teasers about gameplay elements. Unfortunately, a playable version of the game leaked online two weeks before its official release.
Similar to "Breath of the Wild," "Tears of the Kingdom" was directed by Hidemaro Fujibayashi and produced by Eiji Aonuma. The game's concept emerged when the team couldn't incorporate all their ideas into the DLC for "Breath of the Wild." One of the notable new features in the sequel is the introduction of floating islands above Hyrule, allowing players to navigate between them in a manner reminiscent of "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" (2011). Shigeru Miyamoto's involvement in the development was limited due to scheduling conflicts with his role as a producer for Nintendo and Illumination's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (2023).
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Story
In "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," Princess Zelda's role and whereabouts have been a mystery until the game's release. Initially separated from Link, the opening moments of the game show them exploring Hyrule Castle independently. Zelda's fate and whether she reunites with Link have been subjects of speculation and theories. However, as the game progresses, players learn what happens to Zelda in this sequel to Breath of the Wild.
Throughout the game, details about Zelda's location and her experiences following the events at Hyrule Castle unfold. While Link remains the main character, Zelda plays a crucial role in the plot, even more so than in Breath of the Wild. Her story is intertwined with the main narrative of Tears of the Kingdom, influencing its development until the game's conclusion.
At the start of Tears of the Kingdom, Ganondorf's resurrection causes a cataclysm beneath Hyrule Castle, resulting in the separation of Zelda and Link. As they fend off the encroaching corruption, Zelda slips and falls into an abyss. However, during her fall, she is transported to the past, to the time when the Kingdom of Hyrule was founded. Zelda spends the majority of the game in this ancient past, witnessing the events that led to the sealing of Ganondorf.
In the past, Zelda witnesses the sacrifices made by the people of Hyrule to defeat Ganondorf and seal him away. She also knows from the present that he will awaken again, and she realizes that Master Sword is crucial to his defeat. With Link's sword broken in the present timeline, Zelda devises a plan to help him recover a repaired version of Master Sword. This plan becomes Zelda's role in Tears of the Kingdom.
To assist Link in retrieving the Master Sword, Zelda makes a significant sacrifice. She consumes a stone that transforms her into a mindless white dragon. As a dragon, she watches over Master Sword, waiting for the moment she can reunite with Link and restore it to its full power to defeat Ganondorf. However, by performing this rite and swallowing the stone, Zelda discovers that she will lose consciousness and remain trapped as a dragon forever. It is a selfless sacrifice made to ensure Link's success in his battle against Ganondorf and to protect the Kingdom of Hyrule and its inhabitants.
When Zelda and Link are finally reunited in Link's timeline in Tears of the Kingdom, she aids him in recovering the Master Sword and assists in the battle against Ganondorf's Demon Dragon form. After Link defeats Ganondorf, fulfilling the dragon's purpose, Zelda's strength starts to wane. Link uses the concentrated energy in his arm to heal her, and with the help of Rauru and Hylia, he gains the necessary power to save Zelda. Together, they successfully heal Zelda, and Link's arm returns to normal, restoring the princess to her original form.
Following the intense battle, Zelda and Link fall from the sky into a lake, and Link carries Zelda to safety. When she awakens, Zelda realizes that Ganondorf has finally been defeated, and her destiny has been fulfilled. In the game's final cutscene and the conclusion of Zelda's story arc in Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda expresses that she has much to share with Link.
Tears of the Kingdom Plot
"Tears of the Kingdom" expands upon the gameplay mechanics introduced in its predecessor, "Breath of the Wild" (2017), while introducing new abilities and features. One of the notable additions is the Recall ability, which allows players to reverse time for objects. This ability proves useful in various puzzles and challenges throughout the game.
Another new ability is Fuse, which enables players to combine weapons and materials they discover to create customized weapons. This feature adds a layer of depth and customization to the gameplay, allowing players to experiment with different combinations and strategies.
The game also introduces the Ultrahand ability, which allows objects to stick together. This opens up possibilities for players to construct modular devices, vehicles, and structures by connecting various components. The modular construction feature offers a creative and flexible approach to problem-solving and exploration within the game world.
With the Ascend ability, players can traverse surfaces above them, providing a new dimension to exploration and navigation. This ability grants access to previously inaccessible areas and secrets, expanding the scope of the game's world and encouraging players to uncover hidden treasures.
Additionally, "Tears of the Kingdom" introduces the Autobuild ability, which consumes a currency known as Zonaite. Players can utilize this ability to summon any structure they have built using the Ultrahand. This feature simplifies and streamlines the process of reconstructing previously built structures, allowing players to swiftly create the necessary tools and shelters in their journey.
These new abilities and features in "Tears of the Kingdom" enhance the gameplay experience, offering players additional tools to overcome challenges, customize their gameplay style, and explore the vast world of the game.
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Ending Explained - FAQs
"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the sequel to "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and continues the story in the expansive world of Hyrule.
Players can expect an open-world environment in Hyrule, with expanded areas for vertical exploration. They will take control of Link, the game's protagonist, who joins forces with Princess Zelda to defeat the antagonist Ganondorf, and save Hyrule from destruction.
Tears of the Kingdom originated from ideas that exceeded the scope of downloadable content (DLC) for "Breath of the Wild." The development was led by Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development division, with director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and producer Eiji Aonuma returning to their roles from the previous game.
A teaser for Tears of the Kingdom was shown at E3 2019, followed by a full reveal at E3 2021. The game was initially planned for release in 2022 but was later delayed to May 2023.
Tears of the Kingdom have received widespread critical acclaim. It has been praised for its numerous improvements, expanded open world, and features that encourage exploration and experimentation.
Yes, Tears of the Kingdom is exclusively available for the Nintendo Switch platform, allowing players to enjoy the game on that console.