Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 9 Biggest Hyrule Changes

Zora’s Domain

Sidon and his fiance Yona become the new King and Queen of Zora’s Domain at the end of the “Sidon of the Zora” main quest, with Sidon succeeding his father, Dorephan. Sidon has scrawled over his father’s observations with his own ideas on how much Zora’s Domain has changed over the years on the stone tablets from Breath of the Wild.

This involves the construction of Mipha’s Court, named after Sidon’s late sister. The beautiful park is located atop Ploymous Mountain, which was once inhabited by a Lynel that Link was entrusted with eliminating in Breath of the Wild.

Goron City

Death Mountain’s lava is no longer pouring, which formerly barred Hylians and other tourists from approaching the location without flameproof elixirs or armour. They may now easily walk about the area, including Goron City. The previously gushing lava generated by Divine Beast Vah Rudania has also constructed new routes leading to Goron City, making it easier to navigate.

The only site where flameproofing is required is in Death Mountain’s mines, which are directly connected to the volcano’s complicated magma system. YunoboCo has constructed a type of amusement park outside the mines, complete with a variety of minecart courses. However, development of this has been halted due to the adult Gorons’ insatiable desire for Marbled Rock.

Gerudo Town

Gerudo Town is no longer the hive of activity that it was in Breath of the Wild. Instead, the Gerudo are surviving a raging sandstorm in a shelter beneath town, which was not seen in Breath of the Wild. In addition to side quests and the “Riju of Gerudo Town” main quest, the shelter is quite large and filled of merchants.There’s also a jail for wandering Voe, but Link doesn’t have to worry about that because Riju will vouch for him.

When Link initially comes, though, this is not the case. To the surprise of many Vai, he must first access the refuge in an unusual manner by passing via a well in the ceiling. However, once one of the guards recognises him, Link is allowed to enter and exit the refuge without disguise.

Hateno Village

Hateno Village has seen an increase in tourists thanks to fashion designer Cece, who has transformed the once sleepy farming community into a centre for mushroom-based fashion. However, the bright mushroom sculptures that adorn the town have strained relations between Cece and the mayor, Rede. Both have a different vision for the village and its development, which leads to the “The Mayoral Election” side quest, in which Link discovers common ground between the two.

There’s also Link’s old house (which Zelda has undoubtedly redecorated) and a new school for the kids. Hudson Construction created the school at Zelda’s request, and its teacher is Purah’s helper Symin.

Akkala Ancient Tech Lab

Link can help Robbie return to Hateno Ancient Tech Lab with his new Autobuild skill after getting the Camera from Robbie at Lookout Landing and doing some work for Josha in the Depths. Robbie will offer to improve the Purah Pad with features such as the Travel Medallion included in the Master Trials DLC for Breath of the Wild at the lab.

This quest requires Link to return to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, where Robbie first worked before becoming more involved with Purah. Robbie alerts Link that the lab has been taken over by a villainous group known as the Yiga Clan. Link can enter the facility and obtain the prototype data Robbie is looking for after fighting a couple of Yiga opponents in the front. That is after Konba thanks Link for saving his life by giving him the Yiga Armour chest piece.

Eventide Island

When Link last visited Eventide Island, he was stripped of his armour, weapons, and inventory and confronted by a swarm of enemies. Players can now explore Eventide Island without having to worry about Link’s safety. However, accessing the Shrine hidden away on the island remains quite difficult.

Link will meet Sesami, a man who believes the monsters attacking Lurelin Village have a base on the island. Sesami assigns Link the duty of destroying three monster strongholds before boarding a boat stationed in a concealed cave around the back of Konolit Rock. Link will be able to reach the Shrine once these enemies have been killed. In addition to this quest, players can enter the Eventide Island Chasm to discover Midna’s Helmet inside the Lone Island Coliseum.

Mount Lanaryu

Mount Lanaryu was home to the Jitam Sa’Mi Shrine in Breath of the Wild, which could only be reached by completing “The Spring of Wisdom” Shrine Quest. This entailed a battle with Naydra, Lanaryu’s blue spirit who had been corrupted by Malice. Once cleaned, Link must obtain a dragon scale to offer to the Goddess Hylia statue in order to open the door to the Shrine.

Nadrya is no longer present in Tears of the Kingdom. Instead, the dragon can be seen crossing the Chasm near Kakariko Village. A Skyview Tower has been built at the summit of Mount Lanayru, where Link can pick up a few of quests. One from the Goddess Hylia statue in reference to the Mother Goddess Statue in the Forgotten Temple, and another from treasure hunter Nazbi in reference to the “High Spring and Light Rings” Shrine Quest.

Great Plateau

The Great Plateau was originally a teaching location for Breath of the Wild players; currently it’s home to four chasms and a wandering Barginer Statue. First, Link must crush a swarm of rocks near the Forest of Time (-0563, -1498, 0019), causing water to drain from a lake. During the process, a Barginer Statue is discovered, kicking off the “A Call From The Depths” side quest.

This Barginer Statue, speaking through the Goddess Hylia statue in the Temple of Time Ruins, entrusts Link with returning its four eyes by dumping them in the respective Chasms, which happen to be where the Sheikah Shrines originally were in Breath of the Wild. Aside from this quest, the Yiga Clan has taken over the cabin where the Old Man used to live. Flappy Bird players will receive the Yiga Clan mask armour from Pitar if they defeat the Yiga Clan members there.

Shrine Of Resurrection

Players returning from Breath of the Wild will most likely revisit familiar locations in Tears of the Kingdom, such as the Shrine of Resurrection. The Great Plateau is still there, but the Sheikah technology that kept Link in stasis for 100 years has vanished. Instead, there’s a small hot spring near where Link first awoke.

A small hole leading to a Yiga Clan stronghold can be found behind that pool. It also happens to be their clandestine storage facility for the valuables they’ve uncovered concealed within the Depths. Following the elimination of the Yiga members, a Construct will emerge and provide Link with a Schema Stone for a Beam Cycle.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023.