Six years after The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, its direct sequel, Tears of the Kingdom is lastly within the arms of Swap house owners. So clearly there’s no higher time to start out asking about the way forward for the collection, and we’ve already gotten our first official tease for, what ought to we name it? TotK 2? BotW 3? Zelda 16?
The Week In Video games: Return To Hyrule
Monday 3:53PM
The smallest inkling of Nintendo’s subsequent Zelda comes from a flurry of latest interviews revealed at the moment with director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and producer Eiji Aonuma. “Oh—and it appears seemingly that Fujibayashi already has plans for the following Zelda sport—although he hasn’t even advised Aonuma about it but,” tweeted Zachary Small, a contributor at The New York Instances who lately spoke to each builders.
Whereas it’s not a shock that Nintendo will proceed engaged on one in every of its hottest franchises ever, it’s uncommon to see a nod to the collection’ future so quickly on the heels of Tears of the Kingdom’s arrival. The following sport will little question arrive on Nintendo’s subsequent console—probably a Swap Professional or Swap 2—at the moment slated to reach no sooner than April 2024. And what might we count on from the following sport? Whereas not even Aonuma is aware of, apparently, there have been a couple of fascinating quotes from the duo’s latest press tour to get followers speculating.
What is going to the following Legend of Zelda be about?
Will Ganondorf proceed to evolve, and probably even develop into playable in some unspecified time in the future? “It’s very potential from right here on out that we will see additional character improvement and modifications to his character because the collection continues,” Aonuma advised The New York Instances. “Ganondorf is an ingredient that we use to complement gameplay.”
What about Zelda? Followers have given up hope that the feminine protagonist will ever tackle a extra central and empowered position in a mainline entry. Might she lastly take the highlight in a brand new sport? “We really feel like what takes most precedence is this concept of gameplay,” Aonuma advised Vainness Truthful. “If it seems that the actual gameplay we’re attempting to deliver to fruition could be greatest served by having Zelda take that position, then it’s potential that that may very well be a route we might take. With that mentioned, after all, as a result of we’re not certain what the following gameplay expertise goes to be, we are able to’t say what Zelda’s subsequent step goes to be.”
Some gamers have additionally been divided over the open world pivot that occurred with Breath of the Wild. Tears of the Kingdom doubles down on that flip, making the explorable house even greater, and introducing tons of open-ended talents that incentivize experimentation, in contrast to in earlier video games the place advanced dungeons had rigorously calibrated options.
“When pondering of video games prior to now that we’ve labored on, the place there was a puzzle to unravel and just one reply, that’s form of the previous manner of growing video games,” Aonuma advised Recreation Informer. “Now, I’m completely happy that we’ve arrived at this technique the place we’re giving individuals a lot of choices, and there are lots of solutions to a single drawback, and all of them can probably be appropriate. I really feel completely happy that we’ve arrived at such a improvement fashion.”
It definitely sounds just like the staff could be content material to proceed constructing off of that fashion of gameplay somewhat than revert again to the extra linear, structured adventures of Ocarina of Time or Skyward Sword. Or perhaps not. Probably the most fascinating feedback Aonuma made needed to do with how design concepts that get deserted in a single sport can nonetheless come again in one other.
“That is one thing I believe Mr. Miyamoto has mentioned prior to now, however when you could have an concept and attempt to make it work, and it doesn’t work out, you don’t quit on that concept,” he advised Recreation Informer. “As an alternative, simply look forward to the proper alternative to reach. These concepts – and I believe that is true of our builders – stick round of their heads; they hold them with them as they proceed of their work. When these issues pile up, and the proper alternative presents itself, we discover the chance to implement these concepts.”
So what concepts have been piling up after finishing work on Tears of the Kingdom? Neither Aonuma nor Fujibayashi are saying. ”I’ve a couple of in thoughts, however I’m undecided if I can share them right here,” the latter advised Polygon when requested. “I wouldn’t need to damage the shock for individuals.” Aonuma didn’t budge both. “Yeah, no, that may trigger bother for me,” he mentioned. “So please don’t.”