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Breath of the Wild was a highly acclaimed game that captured the hearts of many gamers. It marks a significant shift in direction of Zelda games while maintaining the essence of what makes them special. Its execution was near flawless and, for many, an unforgettable experience. However, one gripe that longtime fans of the Zelda franchise had with the game was the noticeable lack of “classic dungeons.”
Today we’re going to discuss what defines classic dungeons in Zelda and whether they’ll be present in the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom.
More N4G Unlocked: Are Divine Beasts in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom?
What Are Classic Zelda Dungeons?
Classic dungeons are a staple in the Legend of Zelda franchise. They are mainly seen in large scale games such as Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess and are designed with a specific set of rules to follow. These rules include finding the compass and the map to aid in exploration, collecting small keys to progress, and beating a series of mini-bosses before facing the final challenge. This formula became iconic and beloved by fans of the series.
In contrast, Breath of the Wild’s dungeons, known as Shrines, was much smaller and lacked the same engaging complexity and colorful theming of classic dungeons. Shrines were scattered throughout the open world of Hyrule and were typically short, self-contained challenges that test the player’s skills with a particular Sheikah Slate ability. While they were fun and satisfying to complete, they were a far cry from the multi-room structure and puzzle-solving challenges of classic dungeons.
Breath of the Wild’s other dungeons, the Divine Beasts, are much more reminiscent of classic dungeons than Shrines, though these still lack some of the defining features of classic dungeons. While they are larger than Shrines and contain multi-room puzzles, they do not require keys, have limited theming, and feature relatively underwhelming bosses.
Will Tears of the Kingdom Have Classic Dungeons?
While classic dungeons may not be returning, Nintendo blended the open-world elements with dungeons in Tears of the Kingdom. An interview with the developers goes into further detail about what players can expect. One particular dungeon connects the sky to Hyrule’s Surface, giving players an event if they dive into it. Other dungeons will reflect the environments they are found. Compared to the Divine Beasts in Breath of the Wild, these dungeons are massive and have their own unique look.