The Legend of Zelda has become a series synonymous with great storytelling, and Tears of the Kingdom is no exception. Whether it’s an overt quest or a silent tale told by the environment itself, this incarnation of Hyrule has layers upon layers of lore for players to explore. But sometimes, something still slips by, whether by virtue of obscurity or sheer subtlety.
This subtle storytelling isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It leaves more for players to learn on a return visit. But there’s always something new to uncover, and some of these overlooked pieces of lore can help shine a light on details otherwise left murky and mysterious. While not every tidbit of Zelda lore is some grand revelation, they all add something more to Link’s adventure, and in some cases, Princess Zelda’s too.
6 Mysterious Statues In The Depths
Scattered throughout the Depths in Tears of the Kingdom are statues depicting the five races that now inhabit the surface, but there exists a sixth type as well. Initially found during the quest A Mystery in the Depths, these statues lead players to notable locations just like the rest but don’t resemble any known people, not even the Zonai.
Nothing in the game actually explains who or what these depict, but fan theories abound. Moblins are a commonly cited possibility, but the figure on the slate looks distinct from depictions of the Demon King’s army. Another theorized possibility is that they are an incarnation of the Darknuts from Windwaker, who appeared as massive canine humanoids beneath their armor.
5 Link And Zelda’s Relationship
Link and Princess Zelda have long been a fan-favorite pairing, but Tears of the Kingdom may be the first game to make it official. While it’s never mentioned outright by any NPC, there are strong indications that Zelda moved in with Link after the events of Breath of the Wild. Whether this is romantic or just practical is up for interpretation.
There’s evidence in favor of both possibilities. Zelda’s journal can be found by the bed in Link’s former Hateno Village home, and the house overall has been redecorated. Link can still sleep in the bed, which is usually only allowed for beds he either owns or has been given.
4 Flashbacks Are Seen In-Universe
Flashbacks are a common narrative device, especially in games, but usually anything seen is implied as only being described. But in Tears of the Kingdom, Link seems to literally see most, if not all, flashbacks that show up throughout the story, as do the five sages. Yunobo even comments on this as he uncovers his Secret Stone.
The one exception to this rule seems to be the player’s first meeting with Purah, where Link explains what happened during his and Zelda’s ill-fated delve beneath Hyrule Castle. This does make sense though, as Link was the one who witnessed those events in the first place, and this flashback features a unique filter to make it all the more distinct.
3 Recycled Sheikah Technology
At once one of the most overt and most subtle differences between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is in the various examples of Sheikah technology or the lack thereof. Between shrines, towers, guardians, and even the Divine Beasts, Sheikah-made ancient technology was everywhere in Breath of the Wild. But few traces can be found now outside of Purah’s personal creations.
Their exact fate is never mentioned directly, but there are still a few clues. First and foremost, the Skyview Towers. With guardian limbs gearing up Link for every launch and the strange materials making up the interior, they seem to have been recycled from various bits of scavenged tech. The beasts may also have been dismantled as Hyrule has been expecting a period of peace and they are nowhere to be found outside of a few wearable items.
2 The Depths Have Always Been Dark
With the ongoing themes of lost ruins and forgotten lore, it’s easy to miss that the depths of Hyrule have always been deep and dark, though perhaps a bit less dangerous. Some locations may have had easier access to the surface world, but the omnipresent artificial lighting coating every surviving Zonai facility indicates that those have always been underground.
Another clue can be found among the remaining steward constructs, who make mention of Zonaite in the world below, as well as extoling the value of Brightbloom Seeds. While gloom and Bokoblins are relatively recent additions to the depths, it seems likely that Frox have always been present, feeding on Brightblooms and collecting residual zonaite.
1 Blupees, Bubbulfrogs, The Satori, And Koltin’s Quest
Aside from being a good source of rupees, little was known about the blupees in Breath of the Wild, and even less about the mysterious “Lord of the Mountain” which seemed to rule over them. While ridable, this strange four-eyed creature couldn’t be registered at a stable like a horse and vanished soon after being dismounted.
Tears of the Kingdom introduced yet another creature, the cave-dwelling bubbulfrogs. Initially just a curio, their true importance can be revealed if the player finds Kilton and Koltin near the Woodland Stable. All three seem to be different stages of a single species lifecycle, as evidenced by Koltin’s eventual transformation into a blupee following his mass consumption of bubbul gems.