Rewriting Tears of The Kingdom

Summary

In this video, the speaker delves into their ideas on how the story of 'Tears of the Kingdom' could be reworked for a deeper emotional impact. They suggest enhancing Zelda's transformation and Link's quest, integrating a new version of the Imprisoning War, and exploring parallel storylines where players can control both Zelda and Link. They also propose reimagining the world with a new connection to Skyward Sword, where the surface becomes the game’s 'depths,' creating a fresh narrative dynamic and offering a richer, more interconnected experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The emotional weight of Zelda turning into a dragon in *Tears of the Kingdom* was underwhelming, as it lacked substantial character development or explanation.
• 😀 The creator explores a potential alternate storyline where the goddess's sword could be reforged, tying it back to the legend and characters from *Skyward Sword*.
• 😀 There is a connection between the hairstyles of Zelda and the Hylia statues, which the creator finds interesting but acknowledges it as a small detail.
• 😀 The idea that Zelda may have inherited the paraglider from the king or that it could have had some connection to the goddess's original gift is discussed.
• 😀 The surface world of Hyrule in *Tears of the Kingdom* is compared to the game's depths, suggesting that the surface should have reflected gloom and doom.
• 😀 The story from *Skyward Sword* about humans being sent to the sky by Hylia during the war with Demise is connected to the concept of the sky in *Tears of the Kingdom*.
• 😀 The character of Hylia plays a significant role, possibly being involved in aspects of the story that the player might not fully realize.
• 😀 There is criticism of the lack of emotional payoff when it comes to Zelda's transformation and the significance of the tears of the Kingdom.
• 😀 The creator feels that the narrative is less engaging compared to the complex lore of earlier Zelda games, like *Skyward Sword*.
• 😀 Despite these criticisms, the creator appreciates elements like Zelda’s role in the story and how the game incorporates ideas from previous titles, such as the sailcloth and paraglider.
• 😀 The creator invites others to comment on their ideas and suggests following their Instagram, where they post more related content, including a tribute with Hylia statues.

Q & A

What is the main critique the speaker has about *Tears of the Kingdom*?

The main critique revolves around the lack of emotional depth in the story, particularly Zelda's transformation into a dragon. The speaker believes that the emotional stakes are underdeveloped, making it hard for the player to feel invested in Zelda's plight.

Why does the speaker feel that Link's relationship with Zelda is not impactful in the game?

The speaker feels that Link doesn't have enough emotional connection to Zelda's transformation, and thus, the moment doesn't feel significant. This lack of emotional depth undermines the impact of their relationship, despite its importance in the game's narrative.

What changes does the speaker propose for the story of *Tears of the Kingdom*?

The speaker suggests several rewrites, including the introduction of a dual-playthrough system where players control both Link and Zelda. Additionally, they propose a plot that ties Zelda’s actions to a time loop or the reincarnation of the goddess Hylia, with Zelda facing the consequences of her actions across time.

How does the speaker compare *Tears of the Kingdom* to *Skyward Sword*?

The speaker draws a parallel between the two games by emphasizing the connection of Zelda to Hylia. In *Skyward Sword*, Zelda is explicitly tied to Hylia, and the speaker suggests that *Tears of the Kingdom* could have explored this connection more deeply, making Zelda’s actions more central to the story.

What are the two main rewrites the speaker suggests for the game?

The two main rewrites are: 1) A time-shifted story involving a true Imprisoning War, where Zelda’s actions cause historical changes, and 2) A version where Zelda is revealed as the reincarnation of Hylia, with players experiencing both Zelda and Link’s separate journeys as they try to restore the timeline.

What does the speaker think about the open-world design of *Tears of the Kingdom*?

While the speaker appreciates the open-world design, they feel that it detracts from the story. They believe that focusing too much on exploration weakens the emotional impact of the game’s narrative, especially in terms of Zelda’s character development.

How does the speaker envision the role of time travel in *Tears of the Kingdom*?

The speaker envisions time travel as a key mechanic, where Zelda's actions inadvertently cause timeline disruptions, leading to a fractured history. This would allow players to explore different outcomes and would add a deeper layer to the story by making Zelda's role in the timeline central to the plot.

What is the 'gloom' in *Tears of the Kingdom* and how does the speaker interpret it?

The 'gloom' in *Tears of the Kingdom* is an ominous force that surrounds the land. The speaker compares it to the depths in the game, suggesting that instead of a literal sky, surface, and depths, the sky would hold all the towns, with the surface resembling the dark, ominous gloom.

How does the speaker’s rewrite idea for Zelda's transformation differ from the original game?

In the speaker's rewrite, Zelda’s transformation into a dragon is treated with more gravity. Instead of it feeling like an afterthought, the transformation would be part of a greater plot involving time manipulation and Zelda’s connection to the goddess Hylia, making her a more central figure to the story.

Why does the speaker criticize the handling of Zelda’s paraglider in *Tears of the Kingdom*?

The speaker notes that while *Skyward Sword* had Zelda receiving a gift from the goddess (the sailcloth), in *Tears of the Kingdom*, the paraglider is presented as a gift from the king. The speaker suggests that it would have been more meaningful if the paraglider were connected to Zelda in some way, perhaps as an item she had originally before the events of the game.