Everything We Learned From the Hands-On Previews

Hands-On Previews for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Breath of the Wild 2) showcased various new gameplay features, including new materials, new fused weapons, and more! Read on to know more about all the details we spotted in the hands-on previews for Tears of the Kingdom!

Hands-On Previews: Everything We Learned

Hands-On Preview Summary

New Paraglider Designs

Various preview footages show Link gliding with a Paraglider that has the Yiga Clan symbol and another that has Malanya's design on it. We speculate that these designs are unlockable in-game while others are unlocked through the amiibo functionality.

New Materials

Five new materials were shown in the hands-on preview. These include the Fire Fruit, Bomb Flower, Muddle Bud, Dazzlefruit, Zonaite, Blue Bokoblin Horn, and Golden Apple. The footage also shows that materials have a Fuse Attack Power stat, which determines the added attack power when you fuse the material with a weapon.

New Sky Islands Locations

The hands-on previews show the map interface of the Sky Islands and three new locations within it: Central Hyrule Sky Archipelago, South Hyrule Sky Archipelago, and Great Sky Island.

In particular, the Great Sky Island shows five blue icons which may represent fast travel locations.

Sky Islands Explored

More Fused Weapons

The previews showcase new fused weapons that you can use against enemies. One of these include the Blue Boko Reaper which is fused using a Blue Boko Horn and a Wooden Stick. The same footage also shows Link destroying the fused Sturdy-Stick Stick to create the Blue Boko Reaper.

Fuse Guide

Robbie and Purah Confirmed to Return

Robbie and Purah are confirmed to return in Tears of the Kingdom based on two item descriptions shown in the hands-on previews.

The Paraglider's description shows that Purah gave this item to Link while the Travel Medallion was built by Robbie.

All Confirmed New and Returning Characters

More Streamlined Inventory Menu

The inventory menu for Tears of the Kingdom has been streamlined, making you scroll through each item vertically instead of horizontally. It now also shows you what particular item you are holding in a separate interface instead of relying on looking at the items that Link is currently holding.

The menu also includes two new tabs: a circular icon presumably for Ultrahand machine parts and a gear icon that may represent finished Ultrahand vehicles.

Map Menu Shows Both Surface and Sky Islands Maps

The map menu for Tears of the Kingdom shows two overlapping maps: one for the Sky Islands and one for the surface world. You can switch between the maps by pressing the Up and Down on the D-Pad.

The menu also shows your exact coordinates on the right corner alongside the in-game time and temperature.

New Character Profiles tab shown in the map menu

A new tab called Character Profiles was also shown in the same map menu. We speculate that this menu shows a short character biography of the allies that accompany you throughout the story.

Zonai Dispenser Drops Zonai Parts

One hands-on preview footage showed Link dropping five Zonai Charges on a Zonai Dispenser that resembles a gachapon machine. A cutscene then shows the device activating and dropping several Zonai Devices on the ground that you can use as Ultrahand vehicle parts.

Ultrahand Guide

You Can Now Check Recipes in the Inventory

A quality of life addition in Tears of the Kingdom is the inclusion of the Recipes menu. In the Food tab, you can press the X Button while highlighting a specific food to check its recipe and the recipes of the other food that you have discovered.

Fuse and Aim Weapons While Diving

While diving from the sky, you can enter bullet-time to fuse weapons and aim with a bow much like in the previous game. However, the stamina gauge no longer depletes in this state and only does so when you fire an arrow.

Sheikah Towers Make a Return

Sheikah Towers make a return in Tears of the Kingdom. One tower shown in the hands-on preview is the Hyrule Field Skyview Tower north of Lake Kolomo.

Much like in the previous game, these towers allow you to fast travel to their location.

Portable Pot Lets You Cook Anywhere

One of the Zonai machine parts that you can use is a portable cooking pot. This allows you to place a cooking pot and cook one anywhere in the world. The portable pot will disappear after use.

Materials Can Be Thrown at Enemies

The hands-on preview showed that crafting materials can be used as thrown weapons to enemies. The footage shows Link throwing a Fire Chuchu Jelly that causes flame damage and a White Chuchu Jelly that freezes enemies.

Korok Seed Puzzles Make a Return

Korok Seeds are confirmed to return in Tears of the Kingdom. One footage shows Link throwing a Red Chuchu Jelly to burn a pile of leaves inside a giant tree stump. This revealed a single rock underneath that Link lifts up to reveal a Korok.

Koroks Return in Tears of the Kingdom

New Confusion Mechanic

One preview footage shows Link attaching a Muddle Bud to his arrow to create a purple smoke that confuses enemies. The status effect causes enemies to attack each other for a short period of time, making it useful to eliminate weaker enemies or as a means of distraction.

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