Discussion Continues with The Developer, Volume 9, concerning The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Segment 2
In the highly-anticipated ninth volume of Ask the Developer, the creators of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch share insights into the game's development process. Scheduled for release on May 12, the game promises an immersive experience that blends innovation and symbolism, with a particular emphasis on the theme of "hands."
The "hands" theme is central to Tears of the Kingdom, influencing gameplay, mechanics, and story. Link, the game's protagonist, is imbued with special powers linked to his hands, enabling him to create, combine objects, manipulate environments, and connect with the physical and spiritual world around him. These abilities are integral to the game's exploration and puzzle-solving mechanics, allowing players to forge vehicles, bind objects, and interact with mysterious elements scattered across floating islands and the sky above Hyrule.
The theme also carries deeper symbolic meaning. Hands in Tears of the Kingdom symbolise the power of creation and transformation, reflecting Link’s role in shaping the fate of Hyrule. This motif ties into the game's narrative themes of recovery and rebuilding after calamity, suggesting that healing and progress come through the work of one’s own hands.
During the development process, the team grappled with the challenge of differentiating between changing and keeping elements to avoid a "deja vu" feeling. Through trial and error, a shared sense of values about what to change and what to keep emerged, resulting in a game that both honours its roots and pushes boundaries.
Aonuma, one of the game's developers, agrees with the phrase "breaking boundaries," stating that the team intentionally broke certain boundaries in the game development. However, breaking boundaries doesn't mean destroying everything, as they provide a basis for taking risks. Iconic sounds such as those that play when an item is obtained or a puzzle is solved are kept, maintaining a familiar feeling for fans of the series.
The visuals and story direction of the game showcase the "hands" theme, with scenes that use hands when opening special doors and players creating items with Link's own hands and utilizing them as they progress. The sound design also maintains similarities with the previous title, providing a sense of continuity amidst the innovation.
Fan interpretations and art further highlight the importance of hands as a symbol of engagement in the game’s world and story. As the release date of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom approaches, fans and critics alike eagerly await the opportunity to delve into this intricate world and uncover the full significance of the "hands" theme.
The Nintendo Switch game, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, incorporates the "hands" theme throughout its gameplay, mechanics, and storyline, with protagonist Link receiving special powers linked to his hands that enable him to create and manipulate objects, environments, and spiritual elements.
Nintendo's development team intentionally broke certain boundaries while creating Tears of the Kingdom to push the series' boundaries while still honoring its roots, as demonstrated by maintained iconic sounds and visuals reminiscent of the previous title.
