Nintendo EPD. (2023). The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom [Nintendo Switch]. Nintendo.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expands upon the open-world mechanics of its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, introducing two new areas: floating islands in the sky and the Depths, a vast underground region. Players use Link's new abilities—Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend, Recall, and Autobuild—to solve puzzles, navigate environments, and construct vehicles with Zonai devices. These powers encourage creative problem-solving, from rewinding objects’ movement to crafting intricate contraptions.

Classic elements like shrines and Korok seeds return, alongside a refined recipe system for tracking ingredients. The game features distinct dungeons connected seamlessly to the overworld, offering unique puzzles and boss battles. A central mechanic involves gathering "secret stones" to awaken the power of ancient sages. These mechanics, combined with vast vertical and horizontal exploration, create a layered gameplay experience that emphasizes creativity, exploration, and strategic combat, setting new standards for open-world design.