Despite being among the most infamous enemies in the first game, it’s unclear if Guardians will return toThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but the upcoming sequel could have the best framework for their comeback. Many players can recall the first time they heard the jingle of piano keys that would soon haunt them as they came face-to-face withThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’sGuardians, an experience that soon made them synonymous with the game. But while some believe that theGuardians shouldn’t be the focus inTears of the Kingdom, there’s still potential left untapped in this enemy type.
Given what is known so far aboutThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, not only would the Guardian’s absence be deeply felt among players already familiar withBreath of the Wild, but their return could take on an all-new role. Between the floating islands and Ganondorf’s revival being amongTears of the Kingdom’srecurring selling points across its trailers, the Guardian’s evolution fromBreath of the Wildcould be informed by these changes. This could include possible connections to the Guardian’s original creators and their eponymous kingdom to new variations of Guardians to expand in-air combat.
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How Guardians Could Connect The Two Stories in Tears of the Kingdom
In previousZeldagames, armies led by Ganondorf consisted of a range of enemies, many of which were reflected inBreath of the Wildthrough Moblins, Keese, Stalfos, and more. But while some missing fan-favoriteenemies could return inTears of the Kingdomsuch as Redeads or Darknuts, the Guardians were one ofBreath of the Wild’smost significant innovations to theZeldatimeline and pool of “enemies.” Though not fully understood and intended only as an autonomous defense for Hyrule, the ancient technology behind the Guardians was overcome by Ganondorf’s influence and turned against the kingdom.
Given the sequel’scryptic subtitleTears of the Kingdomand a potential exploration into Hyrule’s past to uncover how Ganondorf came to be sealed beneath its surface, it has been left to debate which “kingdom” the game will explore. With their origins tied to the technologically-advanced and enigmatic Sheikah, the Guardians could be further explored than the surface-level lore delivered byBreath of the Wildand could reveal a hidden past where the Sheikah and Ganondorf warred against one another prior to the games' version of Hyrule. Their inclusion then is necessary as a connective thread between the two games' narratives.
The Guardians Could Improve With Tears of the Kingdom’s Gameplay
However, story aside, it’s likely that the Guardians could return in some capacity due to their prominence in key areas ofBreath of the Wild, such as Shrines and Hyrule Castle. But instead of just returning with the same forms they’ve been seen previously in,Tears of the Kingdomhas an opportunity to redevelop these designs and take advantage of its new world. For instance, to accompany the floating islands and rumored improvements toaerial combat inTears of the Kingdom, Guardian Skywatchers could become more aggressive while Guardian Stalkers could adapt to climbing the walls of said islands all in pursuit of the player.
These changes would need to be narratively justified, though, as inBreath of the Wildthe Guardians were restored to working order as they are. But further to Ganondorf’s influence which took control of them,Malice inTears of the Kingdomcould have an equally new, more insidious role. Paralleling the Malice Guardians seen inHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity,Tears of the Kingdomcould see Guardians become corrupted by malice and begin to transform similar to howBreath of the Wild’sBlights manifested. As a result, the Guardians' return inTears of the Kingdomcould turn them into an even more dangerous foe.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis set to release onMay 12, 2023, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
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