Discussion Continues with the Creator Regarding The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - segment 2
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, set to launch on May 12, is the highly anticipated ninth volume in the series for the Nintendo Switch system. The game's developers have been hard at work, transforming the experience to make it as fresh and captivating as possible.
One of the key themes that intertwines all elements of gameplay, mechanics, and story is "hands". This theme expresses the idea of "connecting", and it can be seen throughout the game in various ways.
The "hands" theme is notably apparent in the form of the eerie "Gloom Hands", a significant enemy or encounter in the game. These chilling encounters add a suspenseful and intense element to gameplay, contributing to the game's overall atmospheric tension. The associated soundtrack, known as the "Gloom Hands theme", further enhances this eerie mood.
The "hands" theme also symbolizes the lingering effects of the game's apocalyptic backdrop, reflecting the physical and possibly metaphysical devastation in Hyrule. While Tears of the Kingdom expands on creative mechanics, such as crafting and building freely, the presence of gloom hands and their theme keeps an element of menace and somber tone from past Zelda titles, linking to a sense of ongoing conflict and unease in the game's world.
Players will find themselves creating items with Link's own hands and utilizing them as they progress. Scenes that use hands are also included in the game's mechanics, such as opening special doors.
The development team faced challenges in balancing changes to maintain freshness without inducing a "deja vu" feeling. They referred to the elements they decided not to change as "the Great Mundanity". The definition of "the Great Mundanity" became clearer as development progressed, and the team felt more comfortable asking developers to intentionally keep certain elements unchanged.
The visuals and story direction of the game reflect the "hands" theme, making it a cohesive and immersive experience for players. The team worked hard to transform how the game felt as much as possible, ensuring that each area retained its appeal without losing its unique charm.
In an interview for the ninth volume of Ask the Developer, the team discusses their approach to changes, the challenges they faced, and the inspiration behind the "hands" theme. The game's story connects to Hyrule's past and talks about a major struggle called "The Imprisoning War". The team's focus is on joining hands and cooperating with various characters, making Tears of the Kingdom an exciting new addition to the Legend of Zelda series.
Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, available for the Nintendo Switch system, features a "hands" theme that permeates gameplay mechanisms, storyline, and design. This theme is particularly evident in the form of the chilling Gloom Hands, an significant enemy or encounter, and in the creation and usage of items by Link's own hands throughout the game.
