Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Plot [Story So Far]

Learn about the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Plot & how it impacts the direction of the franchise.

Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Plot is a masterful continuation of a beloved series, weaving an intricate narrative that pushes Link into uncharted territories. This tale of courage, resilience, and mystery deepens the lore of Hyrule, making it a pivotal installment in the franchise’s rich continuation.

Key Takeaways
  • Breath of the Wild events continue in Tears of the Kingdom, with Link rescuing Zelda and battling Calamity Ganon.
  • Tears of the Kingdom begins with Link and Zelda awakening dark forces, lifting Hyrule Castle into the sky.
  • The game features Link’s new abilities from his altered arm, including time manipulation and phasing through structures.
  • The damaged Master Sword and a golden orb symbolize Link’s courage, Zelda’s faith, and potential new power.
  • Exploration of floating islands, facing a giant storm, and using a flying mechanism highlight adventure themes of TOTK.
  • Ganondorf, along with characters like Tulin, Sidon, and Riju, plus new abilities, blends past narratives with fresh experiences.
  • Ganondorf’s return, new allies, and Zelda’s portrayal mark significant narrative points.
  • A revived Ganondorf and a new enemy controlling Malice introduce a fresh threat for Link and allies to defeat.
Important: All information I have listed here about the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Plot & storyline is deduced from a series of official gameplay trailers. The final version of Legend of Zelda Tears of Kingdom’s story could be a bit lengthier or more detailed than what I have described here.

The Breath of the Wild: A Prelude To Tears of the Kingdom

What to Expect in Link’s Story in Tears of Kingdom

The events of Breath of the Wild form a critical prelude to Tears of the Kingdom. Link’s awakening, the discovery of the Sheikah Slate, the revelation of King Rhoam’s ghost, and the backstory of Calamity Ganon set the stage for the forthcoming game. Link’s task to rescue Zelda and defeat Calamity Ganon, bestowed by the fading King Rhoam, creates an aura of urgency and stakes that continue into Tears of the Kingdom.

The Skyward Journey & The Power of Malice

Picking up from Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom showcases Link and Princess Zelda embarking on a new quest to explore the depths of the Hyrule kingdom. An announcement trailer reveals a gripping scene where the duo stumbles upon a subterranean ruin.

A corpse, mysteriously held in suspended animation by a ghostly hand, catches their attention. This scene is abruptly disrupted by a massive earthquake, causing Hyrule Castle to rise from the ground into the sky, setting the stage for the events that follow.

As seen in the E3 2021 trailer, Link is now able to navigate the sky, paragliding among floating landmasses and engaging in combat with towering foes, such as a Stone Talus carrying a Monster Stronghold. He also exhibits new abilities, seemingly harnessed from his altered right arm.

These powers allow him to manipulate objects in time and space and phase through solid structures. However, these newfound abilities also foreshadow the challenges to come, as Hyrule Castle is violently lifted from the ground by a colossal force of Malice.

Golden Orb & Damaged Master Sword

Golden Orb in Tears of Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom storyline continues with Link studying a severely damaged Master Sword while standing next to a sphere of floating energy. The orb glows with a radiant golden light, contrasting the faint blue glow of the worn-out Master Sword. This scene signifies Link’s undying courage and resilience, even in the face of adversity and the looming threats that he must conquer.

Unraveling The Tapestry of Calamity Ganon

The third trailer presents a large portrait, reminiscent of the Calamity Ganon Tapestry, depicting Soldiers in battle with Moblins and Bokoblins. Several characters that seem like Princess Zelda and the body from the reveal video are seen with a figure encircled by seven symbols.

The symbols and figures in the tapestry hint at the challenges that lie ahead for Link and Zelda, suggesting a possible return of familiar adversaries and the emergence of new foes.

Link’s Skyward Adventure & The Threat To Hyrule

Threat to Hyrule

In the February 8 Nintendo Direct trailer, both sky and land versions of Hyrule are seen under siege by monstrous creatures amidst a storm. A menacing voice orders its minions to wipe off Hyrule and its allies completely, leaving no one alive.

As a Blood Moon rises, projectiles transform Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, and other creatures into stronger monsters. The threat escalates, and the fate of Hyrule rests on Link’s shoulders. Armed with new tools such as a land vehicle, a hot air balloon, and a hovercraft, Link plunges into the heart of the storm, ready to confront the impending disaster.

The Return of Ganondorf & The Arrival of New Allies

Ganondorf is returning after 6 years

The third official trailer, released on April 13, 2023, unveils Ganondorf for the first time since Twilight Princess, marking a significant turning point in the narrative. In addition to the blonde figure who seems to be the Goddess Hylia, the clip also has a redhead with long hair who looks like Demise from Skyward Sword.

Zelda is seen clothed identically to the blond person, suggesting that she will play a pivotal part in the events to come. The trailer also confirms the presence of Tulin, Sidon, and Riju, indicating that Link will not face the upcoming trials alone.

The Skies of Hyrule

Link’s new aerial adventures dominate the gameplay, as revealed in E3 2021. The once-familiar landscapes of Hyrule now float in the sky, providing a novel battlefield for Link to combat his foes. The video demonstrates some of the unique skills that Link now has as a result of his modified right arm.

These include the ability to reverse the direction of an item and to pass through solid objects from below. These elements set the stage for a game that promises to push the boundaries of exploration and combat mechanics in unprecedented ways.

The Call of Destiny

A significant delay announcement video unveils a heavily damaged Master Sword and a floating orb of energy, both emitting peculiar glows. The Sword and the Orb become central motifs in the narrative. The Sword, a symbol of Link’s courage and Zelda’s faith in him has been damaged, indicating the immense challenges that lie ahead. The Orb, with its golden glow, might represent a new source of power, yet to be fully understood.

Of Darkness & Blood Moons

The Nintendo Direct trailer juxtaposes serene landscapes with the monsters that plague them. A menacing voice commands its servants to obliterate the kingdom of Hyrule, setting a tone of escalating conflict. The Blood Moon, often associated with transformation and rebirth, launches projectiles that transform Bokoblins, Moblins, Lizalfos, and other creatures into stronger monsters, highlighting the darker undertones and ramped-up difficulty.

Zelda’s lingering doubts about Link’s ability to thwart the resurrected villain, combined with a glimpse of a mummified corpse, further emphasizes the gravity of their situation.

How Plot Of Tears of Kingdom Will Bring New Changes?

In Tears of the Kingdom, Link must once again traverse the ruined and monster-infested lands, face menacing enemies, and harness his courage to protect Hyrule. The game builds on the legacy of Breath of the Wild, adding not only a new Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Plot but also new elements, enemies, locations, and gameplay mechanics.

It further expands on the free-roaming, open-world design of its predecessor, encouraging players to explore and interact with a larger, more dynamic world.

New Gameplay Mechanics

Link’s new combat moves

Legend of Zelda Tears of Kingdom introduces new tools and abilities for Link, which are likely tied to his mysterious altered arm. In one scene, he’s seen reversing time to repair a broken bridge, hinting at a time-manipulation ability. In another, he phases through solid rock, suggesting a new form of traversal.

He also gains access to a range of new weapons and vehicles, including a land vehicle and a hovercraft, offering exciting possibilities for both combat and exploration.

Enhanced Combat & Enemy AI

Combat in Tears of the Kingdom is also more diverse and challenging, with enemies displaying improved AI and more varied attack patterns. The game features new varieties of enemies, some of which are bigger and scarier than those previously seen. Skyward combat is another new feature, with Link having to battle enemies while paragliding through the skies.

Dynamic Weather & Environment

Legend of Zelda Tears of Kingdom also appears to have a more dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, which could impact both exploration and combat. For example, certain enemies might only appear during specific weather conditions or times of the day. The environment itself is also more interactive, with objects and structures that can be manipulated or destroyed.

The Power of Friendship

Link’s friends & their role in Tears of Kingdom

While Link is the main protagonist, Tears of the Kingdom also emphasizes the importance of allies. Characters like Tulin, Sidon, and Riju are confirmed to return, hinting at possible team-based mechanics or missions. Zelda herself is also shown to be more involved in the action, suggesting a more significant role in the gameplay.

The Mystery Of The Golden Orb & Damaged Master Sword

The golden orb and the damaged Master Sword are two intriguing elements that remain largely unexplained. The orb could potentially be a source of new power for Link, while the damaged Master Sword suggests that Link might need to restore or even replace his iconic weapon.

A New Threat to Hyrule

The most significant development in the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom storyline is the return of Ganondorf and the emergence of a new, powerful adversary. This new enemy is capable of controlling the forces of Malice, transforming ordinary monsters into more dangerous forms, and wreaking havoc across Hyrule. It is up to Link and his allies to unravel the mystery behind this new threat and save Hyrule once again.

Final Remarks

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Plot sees Link embark on an epic quest to save Hyrule from a new, powerful adversary controlling the forces of Malice. With a damaged Master Sword and mysterious new abilities, Link must unravel the secrets of a golden orb and restore peace to the kingdom. 

Are you excited about Link’s adventure after six years? If you are, then do not forget to read about Tears of the Kingdom All Editions.

Was this article helpful?

Thanks! Do share your feedback with us. ⚡

How could we improve this post? Please Help us. ✍

Get up-to-speed gaming updates delivered right to your inbox.

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy.


Sulaymaan Ahmad is a Senior Writer on eXputer who covers all the latest and greatest games. He has an engineering background and a knack for decimating players in First-Person Shooter games. He also enjoys narrative-driven games with characters he can emotionally invest in. Sulaymaan's love for gaming has been going strong for several years which is evident on his gaming profiles at Steam and PSN. Experience: 3+ Years || Written 150+ Guides || Mainly Covers Strategy Guides on eXputer

Related Articles