Now that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of Kingdom has been out for a fair while, all speculation is turning to what’s next for the critically acclaimed series. In a new Game Informer interview, series producer Eiji Aonuma made it fairly clear that whatever form the next game takes, it’s unlikely to be a direct follow-up to Tears of the Kingdom. We heard earlier today that Nintendo currently has no plans to create any form of DLC for Tears of the Kingdom as they did with its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
In that same notion where you did, earlier this year, confirm that there won’t be any DLC for Tears of the Kingdom because you’ve already accomplished everything you want to accomplish with this game – have you ruled out another direct sequel?
EA: [Laughs] Well that would be a sequel to a sequel, which is getting a little bit wild when you think about it! But as I’ve mentioned previously, with Tears of the Kingdom, we were seeking to build on top of the world we created with Breath of the Wild and really exhaust the possibilities of what we could put into that world. I think it is – to use a bit of a term – an apotheosis, or the final form of that version of The Legend of Zelda. In that regard, I don’t think that we’ll be making a direct sequel to a world such as that that we’ve created.
I’m glad they are moving on. I would much rather they do a next Zelda game closer to Twilight Princess than do something with BotW or TotK. I want more of the old school 3D Zelda that would be more refreshing with fans. We are done with the BOTW/TOTK style of Zelda games.
I highly doubt we’re “done” with this style of Zelda game, given how critically acclaimed they’ve been. All they said was that they’re not planning to revisit the same world a third time, not that they’re going back to the old formula.
I’m also confused as to why you think that going back to an old formula that they’ve been using since 1998 would be considered “refreshing” in any way? I’d rather they continue to build upon this new formula even more (considering it’s only had two games so far and still has plenty of room for improvement) with a new world and story, or else make something else entirely new and revolutionise the series once again.
Going back to the old OoT/TP/SS formula after how much BotW revolutionised the franchise would feel like a huge step backwards. People were already getting tired of it by the time Skyward Sword released.
I think there are ways the Zelda team could merge old and new design philosophies to better compliment the classic structure of Zelda games without losing the freeform approach of modern Zelda. Fans of the older games have rightfully criticized the truncated approach to dungeon design in BoTW/TotK, as well as relative lack of monster variety (although TotK improved on the latter point somewhat.)
I think perhaps an ideal approach would be to combine the open world of modern Zelda with the memorable and complex towns and dungeons of the classic games. It would be a huge design effort, but segmenting the team and allowing enough dev time could make it possible.
My dream Zelda game would also incorporate the rich narrative element of the OoT/MM era, as I don’t think any Zelda game since (except maybe WW) has quite captured the same level of environmental storytelling present in those games. But maybe that’s asking a bit too much
It’s definitely possible to combine old and new. Look at Xenobalde 3, for instance. Big mostly-open world with a big story that unfolds linearly. You go from one big area to the next as you progress the story, constantly moving toward some goal. But you can explore a lot as you go and you can go back to previous areas whenever you want. And there’s lots of NPCs and sidequests that actually have an effect on the world.
I’d LOVE to see a Zelda game more like that. It would allow for more traditional dungeons and a much better story, since the devs would know exactly what players have already done/what items they have.
Since Monolith Soft helped with making BotW & TotK, it’s a shame (and missed opportunity) to have not given them a bit more control over those two games. If anyone can do open world, good gameplay, AND a good story, it’s them. Honestly, I kinda wish they’d move LoZelda from Nintendo EPD to Monolith Soft.
I’m actually very tired of the BOTW/TOTK format openworld but it doesnt feel like a Zelda game. I miss the traditional dungeons, great boss fights, linear format, classic music.
There’s something about Ocarina of time that the new games cant capture. and i much enjoy playing that then the new ones. SS was bad but the rest were awesome.
I dont know how many friends would rather play A link to the past or Ocarina then the new games which are just too overwhelming and the concepts are great but it doesnt capture the old feel of the games
I am on board with a new revolution of the series but lets try and bring back the traditional elements as well.
Amen!!!!!!
I didn’t care for the open world I perfered the traditional Zelda. However, if they co tinge open world but bring back the puzzle solving dungeons with bosses to fight and getting new weapons then great.
“Well that would be a sequel to a sequel, which is getting a little bit wild when you think about it!” hahahah ok. A sequel to the young link of the prequel’s prequel is fine but , no yeah, you’re right. sequel to a sequel… thats just batshit ;)
“Well that would be a sequel to a sequel, which is getting a little bit wild when you think about it!” Hahahahha ok. So a sequel to the young Link of the prequel’s prequel is fine but… yeah, no. a sequel to a sequel, thats just batshit ;)
Good, I’m tired of breakable weapons and BotW!Zelda’s attitude.
I miss the OOT/MM/WW/TP/SS days.
Even the top-down handheld LOZ games.
The things I’m sick of is breakable weapons & most of the story being told through flashbacks. If the latter is gonna be a thing with open world Zelda, I’d rather go back to the LttP/OoT way of things.
As happy as I am to hear that they fulfilled their vision for breath of the wild until the kingdom, where do they go from here?
I think even though might sound like a sequel to a sequel go back and do a more modern version of the first zelda maze levels but also get rid of Ganon completely and create a new enemy
Even though will sound like a sequel to a sequel, try a more modern version of the maze levels of the 1st Zelda. But get rid of Ganon and create a new enemy for Link. Ganon came back to life after Link kills him enough.
I would like a Zelda game where the world isn’t about to end. Tell a smaller story.
I hope there are things from BOTW and TOTK that are carried to the next game. I would love the open world nature of those games, the ability to climb any surface, strong ways of traversal in the late game, and creative ways of getting stronger as you play.
The setting, objective, and even key characters can change. As long as it builds on the new direction of the Switch games. If they revert back to the older entries I’ll lose interest in the series again.
Yeah, a more linear game like the old Zelda games would be nice.
That “sequel of a sequel” line is so unbelievably stupid. ESPECIALLY when you take into account the entire franchise is basically full of sequels AND prequels. No wonder Tears ignores almost everything that came before it, if this is their thinking. If ya want to do an original story with no history, maybe not work on a legacy game series like LoZelda. That or make a side story with all new characters set in the world. shrug Whatever, tho.