The Zelda franchise seems to be heading in a more futuristic direction than ever before, with Tears of the Kingdom emphasizing advanced technology. The use of Sheikah technology adds a unique twist to the familiar medieval setting of the series. The Master Cycle Zero, a Divine Beast that Link can ride as a motorcycle, is one of the many examples of futuristic tech used in the games. The increasing popularity of the cyberpunk aesthetic in gaming suggests that now might be the perfect time for the Zelda franchise to make the transition from medieval to intergalactic. The new tech in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is more obvious than in previous games, with a societal level of technology that is distinctly defined as such. Regardless of the time period or the level of technology, Link will always return to save Hyrule and rescue Princess Zelda, making the future of the franchise an exciting and unpredictable journey for fans.
The newest installment of the Zelda franchise, Tears of the Kingdom, appears to be taking the series in a more futuristic direction. The series has always had a high fantasy setting, but with the emphasis on Sheikah technology in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, it seems that the franchise is exploring its sci-fi side more than ever before. The advanced technology left behind by the ancient Sheikah people in Breath of the Wild far exceeded anything seen in previous Zelda games, with robotic sentries, teleportation devices, and even the computer-like Sheikah Slate.
The latest trailer for Tears of the Kingdom features flying vehicles and crude cars, further hinting at the franchise’s move toward a sci-fi influence. This shift in direction could be the change needed to keep the Zelda series fresh and exciting, as Breath of the Wild did with its emphasis on exploration.
One notable difference between the Guardians in Breath of the Wild and past Zelda enemies is the nature of their weapons. The Guardians use energy beams that Link can carry and use himself, while the larger Guardians have lasers that fire from their eyes. In past games, enemies like the Beamos fired similar beams, but these were clearly imbued with magical powers rather than being the result of scientific innovation.
Overall, the Zelda franchise seems to be evolving into something that is both familiar and new. While the high fantasy setting and lore remain, the emphasis on advanced technology hints at a more futuristic direction. With Tears of the Kingdom continuing the trend set by Breath of the Wild, it will be interesting to see how the franchise continues to evolve in the future.
The Sheikah technology in the Zelda franchise has long been a part of Link’s most iconic tools, such as the Hookshot and Bombs. This trend continues with the Master Cycle Zero, a Divine Beast that Link can ride as a motorcycle in the Champions Ballad DLC and in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It seems that Tears of the Kingdom will also use Sheikah tech, as indicated by the trailers. In addition to more modernized vehicles, Link will have access to weapons that fire like cannons and a prosthetic mechanical arm.
While the medieval setting of Zelda games may seem like an unlikely place for advanced technology, many of Link’s tools and items are feats of engineering. The Pictograph boxes in Wind Waker and Majora’s Mask are far more advanced than anything from the Middle Ages, as was the Tingle Tuner, a device that looked like a Game Boy Advance. These items, however, fit into the quirky atmosphere of the games and never needed to be questioned beyond their gameplay use.
There is one instance of technology in Majora’s Mask that is too sci-fi to ignore: the cattle abduction at Romani Ranch. Although Romani insists that “ghosts” are stealing her cattle, the fact that they abduct the cows through a beam of light reveals their true other-worldly nature.
The concept art in Hyrule Historia of Princess Zelda in a futuristic outfit suggests that developers may have always intended to bring Link and Zelda into a futuristic fantasy world, even in the franchise’s earliest days.
Overall, the use of Sheikah technology in the Zelda franchise adds a unique twist to the familiar medieval setting. The advanced tools and items that Link uses provide a mix of science fiction and fantasy that fans have come to love. With the upcoming release of Tears of the Kingdom, it seems that the franchise will continue to explore this fusion of genres, giving fans even more exciting and unexpected tools to use on their adventures.
The concept of sci-fi in the Zelda franchise is not a new one. In fact, during a video detailing the creation of Breath of the Wild, some of the game’s designers presented the idea of a UFO coming to abduct cattle as a side-quest. Although this idea was never carried out, it shows that sci-fi concepts continue to be explored by the game’s designers.
The increasing popularity of the cyberpunk aesthetic in gaming suggests that now might be the perfect time for the Zelda franchise to make the transition from medieval to intergalactic. While subsequent games have seen Link exploring civilizations in the sky, the possibility of exploring even higher places, like space, becomes more conceivable.
The new tech in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is more obvious than in previous games, with a societal level of technology that is distinctly defined as such. As the series continues, it will be interesting to see how far the franchise will push the sci-fi influence.
Regardless of the time period or the level of technology, Link will always return to save Hyrule and rescue Princess Zelda, making the future of the franchise an exciting and unpredictable journey for fans.
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