BothThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildand its sequel,Tears of the Kingdom, have created huge changes within the series. Each game’s rejection or subversion of belovedZeldaseries staples, from themore open progressionto the weapon durability system,has opened a range of possibilities for how the franchise can evolve. That being said, not all ofBOTW’s andTOTK’s changes to theZeldaformula were an improvement, and this is no more evident than with the changes made to one signature series staple.
One of my favorite aspects of theZeldaseries is the legendary Master Sword that Link wields in multiple entries. Not only does the weapon possess great strength and magical abilities beyond what other weapons grant you, but the Master Sword is often a crucial part of your journey in each game, providing the encouragement you need to venture forth and save the kingdom of Hyrule.It’s a core part of theZeldaseries thatBOTWandTOTKseverely downplay, and I can’t help but feel that they lose sight of what makes the Master Sword so special.
The Master Sword Is Inessential In BOTW & TOTK
The Legendary Blade Is Not Required To Finish Either Game
One way in whichBOTWandTOTKdownplayed the Master Sword’s inclusion was by making it an inessential item to obtain. Unlike titles such asOcarina of Time, where the Master Sword is required to progress,the open structure ofBOTWandTOTKmeans you never need the weapon to make your way through the main story. In fact, you’re able to go up against and defeat the final boss in either game without ever acquiring the Master Sword, diluting its importance as the Sword that Seals the Darkness.
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Moreover, the Master Sword is surprisingly well-hidden in both games. For example, whileBOTWoffers plenty of guidance on main quests such as restoring the Divine Beasts, you’re not given that same help when seeking out the Master Sword, with the legendary weapon being tucked away within Korok Forest, through the maze of the Lost Woods. While finding andobtaining the Master Swordis never made difficult,the way in which the weapon is made so easily skippable alters the perception of this legendary blade to become a simple reward, rather than an essential item.
BothBOTWandTOTKrequire you toupgrade either Link’s health or staminato a certain level in order to pull the Master Sword from the pedestal.
What made this portrayal of the Master Sword so annoying to me is how it doesn’t line up with the narrative told inBOTWandTOTK. Through cutscenes and dialogue, both games place a lot of focus on the Master Sword, portraying it as not just a powerful weapon, but a key part in fighting against the evil that plagues Hyrule. Despite this,I never felt that importance during gameplay, and this contradictory portrayal of the Master Sword made obtaining the weapon far less impactful than previousZeldagames achieved.
BOTW & TOTK Have Better Alternative Weapons
I Found Myself Rarely Using The Master Sword In Combat
Unfortunately, the Master Sword is further downplayed inBOTW&TOTKonce you obtain the weapon. At first glance, the Master Sword seems like a valuable weapon for you to have in your inventory. Not only does the Master Sword grant you a lot of attack power during crucial scenarios alongside a respectable durability,but its ability to recharge means that you’ll almost always have the legendary blade on hand, helping to ease thepain of constantly having your weapons break.
The issue lies in how the Master Sword pales in comparison to other weapons inBOTWandTOTK. Whether it be Ancient Blades or the Scimitar of the Seven, both titles include weapons that often exceed both the power and durability that the Master Sword offers.This is further compounded by the fact that the Master Sword is rarely at its full power in either game, making it a far weaker weapon for the majority of your playthrough, and failing to present it as the legendary blade it should be.
BOTWdid receive DLC that included the Trial of the Sword, an optional side quest which, upon completion, rewarded you with an upgraded Master Sword that would remain at full power.
Despite my initial excitement upon obtaining the Master Sword for the first time, I constantly found myself relying on other weapons I had stumbled across to push my way through combat encounters. I felt frustrated at my avoidance of the Master Sword inBOTWandTOTK, something I had worked so hard to obtain compared to the other weapons I had at my disposal.The lack of power that the Master Sword possesses made my efforts to go for the weapon feel worthless, losing that sense of reward and accomplishment that obtaining the legendary blade usually elicits.
The Master Sword Deserved Much Better
The Blade Of Evil’s Bane Is A Symbol Of Worthiness
What I’ve always adored about the Master Sword inpreviousZeldaentriesis how it is often portrayed as more than just a powerful weapon. Obtaining the Master Sword in titles likeWind WakerandSkyward Swordhappens at crucial moments when you’ve already had to overcome major challenges and obstacles. When you’re finally able to pull the Master Sword out of its pedestal,it serves as proof of your worthiness to venture forth and free Hyrule from the clutches of evil, creating this unequivocal feeling of achievement that is unlike other video games I’ve played.
Both games turn this once powerful and evocative moment of theZeldaseries into just another quest for you to complete.
BecauseBOTWandTOTKdilute the Master Sword’s importance and power, the weapon no longer symbolizes that worthiness it once did. Rather, the lack of significance it holds in your journeymakes the Master Sword’s inclusion feel like an afterthought. Both games turn this once powerful and evocative moment of theZeldaseries into just another quest for you to complete, losing sight of what made the Master Sword so special to begin with.
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With the Master Sword likely to make another appearance in a futureZeldaentry, I hope that the weapon is recognized once more for its significance and impact. Not only does obtaining the Master Sword provide a fantastic sense of progression, but the weapon is a beacon of your worthiness, giving you the encouragement to venture forth on your journey. The Master Sword deserved much better than how it was implemented inBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, and hopefully the weapon will soon be restored to its former glory.
