We just received a buzzworthy gameplay demonstration for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on March 28, 2023, showcasing four all-new abilities that Link now possesses. Conducted by Eiji Aonuma, the game footage perfectly exemplifies a statement previously made by the Legend of Zelda producer that Tears of the Kingdom will change the game world.
As we near the release of the most anticipated game of 2023, franchise fans are unable to contain their excitement. While there are plenty of features many would like to see return to the franchise in Tears of the Kingdom, we are just as thrilled to explore the endless possibilities that are now at our disposal following the introduction of Link’s new abilities.
Let’s discuss each of Link’s newfound abilities, elaborating on how and why each is a game-changer for the hero in Tears of the Kingdom.
Reverse the Flow of Time with Recall
Screenshot via Nintendo of America on YouTube
As demonstrated by Aonuma in the showcase from Nintendo, Link now has an ability called Recall in Tears of the Kingdom. This will allow him to reverse the flow of time as it relates to certain objects, like rocks that have fallen from Sky Islands.
Surprisingly, this ability is not being talked about as much as others like Fuse and Ultrahand. While Link’s Recall may seem underwhelming when comparing its uses showcased in the gameplay demonstration to those of Fuse or Ultrahand, applying a bit of imagination opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
If Link can reverse the flow of time with Recall, he may now have the ability to save Princess Zelda from the potentially fatal fall we saw in the second official trailer for Tears of the Kingdom.
Amid rumors that Zelda may not survive, the introduction of Link’s Recall ability offers long-time franchise fans a sliver of hope that the princess will not only live, but she’ll also become a more central character alongside Link in Tears of the Kingdom.
Create and Fortify New Weapons with Fuse
Screenshot via Nintendo of America on YouTube
Perhaps the most anticipated of Link’s brand-new abilities in Tears of the Kingdom is Fuse. With it, Link is now able to take two objects and combine them to create more efficient and durable weapons than those we previously had access to in Breath of the Wild.
Following the introduction of this ability in the Tears of the Kingdom gameplay demonstration, many players are now breathing a sigh of relief.
While Breath of the Wild is still widely recognized as one of the best entries in the Legend of Zelda franchise, one infamous point of frustration among players was the degradation of weapons. This made it difficult to progress through the game quickly, as you had to continuously go out of your way to collect new weapons after they broke in battle.
With the addition of Link’s Fuse ability in Tears of the Kingdom, we’re all looking forward to fortifying the weapons we’ve collected and using them in an endless list of ways.
Craft Motorized Vehicles with Ultrahand
Screenshot via Nintendo of America on YouTube
Similar to the hype surrounding Link’s Fuse ability, franchise fans have been raving about the hero’s newfound Ultrahand ability, which will enable him to craft motorized vehicles like those we’ve previously seen in trailers for Tears of the Kingdom.
Although the implementation of motorized vehicles did receive some criticism for being out of place in the world of Hyrule, the introduction of Link’s new Ultrahand ability has shed some light on just how revolutionary the new feature truly is.
In the gameplay demonstration conducted by Eiji Aonuma, the producer explained how Link can now craft wind-propelled rafts, aircraft, and other vehicles to help him traverse the vast expanse of terrain throughout the kingdom.
By crafting a broad range of vehicles, and presumably more that we have not yet seen, it will be easier than ever before to thoroughly explore Hyrule and see Link through to the climax of his journey.
Phase into New Areas with Ascend
Screenshot via Nintendo of America on YouTube
Much like Recall, Link’s Ascend ability has not received enough credit for its potential uses in Tears of the Kingdom, though there is still time for this to change before the game’s release in May.
With his all-new Ascend ability, Link is now able to phase through ceiling structures throughout Hyrule to access higher locations. Additionally, this ability can also be used instead of climbing, shaving some time off your ascension meter.
However, game producer Aonuma did note the limitations of this ability in the recent showcase for Tears of the Kingdom. Essentially, Link can’t simply phase through towers of rocks, but he may be able to Ascend to new Sky Island locations, as this was not disproved.
In combination with each of his other newfound abilities, Link’s Ascend is a game-changer when it comes to expanding the world of Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom and continuing the story that began with its highly regarded predecessor, Breath of the Wild.
While many fans worried that Tears of the Kingdom might not live up to its hype following the success of Breath of the Wild, it seems that Eiji Aonuma and the rest of the production team at Nintendo have kept their promise that the highly anticipated sequel will change not only the world within the Legend of Zelda franchise, but also the game world at large.
For more on Link and Nintendo’s gameplay demonstration, check out our collection of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom guides.
Featured image via Nintendo of America on YouTube
