The release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was an extraordinary moment that left a lasting mark on my gaming journey. It was a date etched into my memory: May 12th, 2023. For the subsequent months, I was engrossed in the game, unable to tear myself away from its captivating world. However, as time passed and other enticing games entered the scene, my attention began to shift. Sea of Stars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and a handful of Pikmin games all became new toys vying for my attention. Without realizing it, my celebration of Tears of the Kingdom’s launch turned into an indefinite hiatus. If someone had asked me when the game was released, I might have guessed a month or two ago. Never would I have imagined that it had been six whole months. Six months, a substantial chunk of time, had seemingly vanished in the blink of an eye. How did this happen?
Upon this realization, a nagging feeling urged me to revisit Tears of the Kingdom and explore any remaining unfinished aspects. I reflected on the staggering amount of time I had already invested in the game—around 100 hours—but believed I was nearing completion. However, as I put the cartridge back into my trusty Nintendo Switch and resumed my adventure, I quickly discovered the extent of my self-deception. The Faron region greeted me as I loaded my save file. Eager to test the waters, I propelled Link into the air from Popla Foothills Skyview Tower, curious to behold the landscape from above. To my surprise, a familiar green swirl caught my attention—a Shrine of Light, a discovery I had assumed I had exhausted months ago. My Sheikah sensor pinged, seemingly mocking my previous bravado. It questioned my claim of having witnessed everything Tears of the Kingdom had to offer.
Intrigued by this unexpected Shrine, I descended to investigate. Despite its prominent location atop a Faron hill, visible from various vantage points, I had managed to overlook it. This oversight signaled that I had underestimated the sheer magnitude of the game. The Shrine presented me with vehicle-building challenges and rail-riding puzzles, reminiscent of the intricacies encountered throughout Tears of the Kingdom. As I progressed through the Shrine, I experienced an Anton Ego moment, a reference to Pixar’s Ratatouille. Anton Ego, the film’s food critic, undergoes a profound flashback to his childhood upon savoring an exquisite dish. My Ego moment may not have entailed time travel or emotional turmoil, but it transported me back to the initial days of Tears of the Kingdom—long gone, but filled with wonder. I rediscovered the joy of approaching tasks in unconventional ways, defying the prescribed methods. My plan to spend an hour or two ticking off completed Side Quests and then carry on with my evening was disrupted. The Shrine had ignited an insatiable curiosity within me, rendering maps and lists superfluous.
Pursuing my newfound inquisitiveness, I followed my senses rather than relying on external guidance. As I left the Shrine, a colossal pair of hands in the distance caught my eye, diverting my attention. Intrigued, I ventured closer, unwittingly initiating an entirely new Side Quest centered around fallen Goddess Statues, Dragon Claws, and trekking across Hyrule at the behest of a sentient rock. Embracing the spirit of exploration, I fulfilled the statue’s commands. Although the quest did not become an all-time favorite, it led me to stumble across two additional undiscovered Shrines, visit the Sky Islands, attempt to ascend an intriguing plateau (before meeting the wrath of the resident Gleeok), mark three more mysteriously intriguing locations on my map, assist my beloved companion, Addison, and uncover a previously unseen plant. Despite my relatively short time within the game compared to other dedicated players, consisting of completing the main story, delving into numerous Side Adventures, and exploring the vast world for approximately 100 hours, my sense of wonder remained unabated. Tears of the Kingdom was analogous to going to the supermarket for milk on an empty stomach: you leave with an assortment of snacks, drinks, desserts, and the occasional vegan option, but forget the one item you went for—milk. Initially overwhelming, the process of immersing myself in the story and restraining from spoilers online enabled me to perceive the game’s true nature: an abundant masterpiece.
Reflecting on my experience six months after the release of Breath of the Wild, I recalled succumbing to temptation and resorting to online guides to unearth the locations of Shrines and Side Quests. Admittedly, I completed the game, but at what cost? Returning to Tears of the Kingdom this week served as a reminder that I would likely never truly finish the game. Surprisingly, I found solace in this revelation. In my initial intention of merely revisiting the game to glance at my tick list, I ended up encountering a multitude of new discoveries, accomplishing very little, and still without the desired milk. How has your journey through Tears of the Kingdom unfolded after six months? Have you taken a hiatus or continuously returned for more awe-inspiring adventures?
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