Summary
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis one of the pinnacle titles of a 2023 year that will be remembered as one of the all-time greats for gaming. It managed to stand out, even among the likes ofBaldur’s Gate 3andAlan Wake 2, which is a testament not just to its own quality, but the quality of its predecessor,Breath of the Wild. Each is a genre-defining experience and sits proudly in the upper echelon ofZeldaofferings.
They have plenty of similarities, and a few crucial differences, and something that sits in both categories is the use of technology. Sheikah tech is used in the 2017 game, whereas the Zonai are the central focus ofTears of the Kingdom, and while they are interesting narrative inclusions and are important to establishing a sense of progression, ditching the focus on technology could have big benefits in the next game.
Breath of the Wild’s Sheikah Tech is A Necessity
Breath of the Wildis an awe-inspiring take on the open-world formula, and one that achieves its remarkable success in large part due to its unwillingness to give the player all the answers. It’s a genius design that warrants trial-and-error exploration, with curiosities around every corner. Sheikah tech is seen all around in the form of shrines, and the Sheikah Slate ensures Link’s journey is not completely without a driving force.
However, the way technology is used feels more like a means to an end rather than an essential piece ofZeldalore. It’s rarely explained in any fine detail and largely serves to put conventional gaming elements into the title to make it feel familiar. Having an interactive map on hand, a place to document collectibles, and puzzles to solve in the space had to be narratively justified somehow, and presenting it as ancient technology was a viable way to achieve that, but it can be achieved in other, more seamless ways.
Zelda’s Tech-less Future Could be a Breath of Fresh Air
The reality is that there are other ways that such inclusions can be justified without the use of technology. It always feels strange inBreath of the WildorTears of the Kingdomto seek shelter from the rain in an abandoned house or nearby stable, only to pull out a magical device with a screen to tell Link about all the things he’s seen and the places he’s visited. With technology, there’s a complete tonal disconnect, so presenting those conventions in a more grounded way could elevate the overall product and create a more steady tone.
That’s not to say the nextZeldagame has to only include sticks and Deku nuts to keep Link alive, but adopting a more humble focus could shake up the series and be the change that it needs to stay fresh. Twilight Princess andThe Wind Waker, as well as a handful of others, have far less of a focus on technology and have their own much-loved style because of it.
Technology and Tradition Became One in Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdomcompletely submerges itself in its tech, as the Zonai race left behind a wealth of resources and devices, helping the 2023 game to feel like an advancement over its predecessor. Given this is the second form of tech that thistimeline ofZeldahas established, the next game will have to either do the same again and create yet another or expand on the Zonai, unless it reduces its input drastically. Perhaps the nextZeldacould be centered around the fall of technology, and how Link and friends have to survive without it.
A Lack of Technology Could Shape Zelda’s Future
Games likeFar Cry Primalshow that there’s fun to be had when the gimmick is specifically a lack of technology, and while that seems like an elaborate comparison, what it means is that mechanics that emphasize less futuristic inclusions can be just as enjoyable, and make an otherwise familiar format feel a lot fresher.Zeldais far from the tech-crazed settings of Night City inCyberpunk 2077or the Normandy inMass Effect, but toning down the little emphasis it has on tech could reap big rewards - if anything, separating it from the looming shadows ofBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom.
