While many familiars locations throughout Hyrule have changed inThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Hateno Village held a particular prominence back inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildand a great deal has changed during the games' intervening years. In a world still scarred from Calamity Ganon’s uprising, Hateno Village was among the few pockets of civilization left and served as a key location along Link’s journey. Knowing thatTears of the Kingdomwould be a direct sequel, there was broad speculation about howBreath of the Wild’sHyrule might have changedfollowing Calamity Ganon’s defeat.
While some places seemed fairly unchanged and others were almost unrecognizable, Hateno Village does carry some familiarity with many of the same buildings and people, but it would be impossible to ignore the village’s new mushroom craze and its thriving population. Digging deeper beyond the mushroom decor, however, will soon reveal that there is much more going on with Hateno Village and its people than before inBreath of the Wild. From fungi fanatics and fashionistas to artisanal cheeses and pumpkins,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomhas made Hateno Village feel so much more alive.
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Hateno Village Only Has So Much Room For Mushrooms
Before players even arrive at Hateno Village, there’s a good chance they’ll have bumped into one of the oddnew NPCs inTears of the Kingdom. Easily identified by their mushroom-themed outfits, these characters are the first hints that Hateno Village has become the epicenter of a fashion revolution. Upon arriving at Hateno Village and being met with an abundance of mushroom decor, players will soon learn that the Ventest Clothing boutique fromBreath of the Wildis now under new management with Cece in charge. She talks of big dreams for the farming community, but others like Villager Chief Reece aren’t impressed.
Both characters will quickly come to blows upon Link’s arrival, sparking a drama-riddledquestline for Hateno Village’s mayoral electionwhich has Link handing out mushrooms, engaging in political espionage, and ultimately bringing both sides back together in fashion-farming harmony. Both during and after this Side Adventure there are several beneficial rewards for the player, such as new food ingredients like Hateno Cheese and Sun Pumpkins, and not to mention an objectively fabulous hat designed by Cece herself. Additionally, with the knowledge that mushroom-styled NPCs are fashion-forward, interacting with them can potentially reveal where to find hidden armor.
Hateno Village has New and Improved Shops and Services
Despite the surrealism of Cece’s fungal fashion, it makes sense that Hateno Village would become Hyrule’s fashion capital as it is also home to the Kochi Dye Shop. The dye shop was one ofBreath of the Wild’skey stores for letting players dye Link’s armor; it returns almost unchanged inTears of the Kingdom. Beyond small details like Sayge and Senna wearing Cece’s mushroom outfits, Kochi Dye Shop offers a new service forTears of the Kingdom’s customizable Paraglider. Not only will Sayge change Link’s Paraglider fabric by swapping a dunk tank dye for a chimney cannon, but he will also create new designs altogether.
Many of Hateno Village’s other shops and services are still available inTears of the Kingdomtoo, with most barely any different to their appearances inBreath of the Wild. The East Wind General Store and Great Ton Pu Inn are still in operation, while the old Sheikah Shrine has been switched to a new Zonai one. There are new buildings and facilities that are worth visiting, such as the Hateno School led by Symin. As a reward for assisting with his lessons,Tears of the Kingdomplayers can grow crops on their own farm, like the new Sun Pumpkin, which could be helpful early into the game.
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Link Has Been Evicted From His House Again
Perhaps one of Hateno Village’s most memorable landmarks, players will remember coming across a home as it’s about to be demolished inBreath of the Wild. But sinceTears of the Kingdomcouldn’t replicate the same kind of intrigue of a century-old home left mysteriously vacant, there had been hopes that it would do more with Link’s house as its sequel. However, whileTears of the Kingdomdid build Link a new home, courtesy of Bolson Construction and his Ultrahand ability, it still meant he apparently lost his own home yet again.
Though tragic at face value, it could be that Link left willingly due to Princess Zelda being left homeless afterBreath of the Wild, so Link’s house is now hers inTears of the Kingdom. Among Zelda’s belongings is her diary, which outlines her efforts to restore Hateno Village, like building the aforementioned school. Meanwhile, players won’t find the Horned Statue outside anymore, but they can descend the well into Zelda’s secret study which not only points them towardsTears of the Kingdom’supdated Champion’s Tunic, but a chest holds the Well-Worn Hair Band for Link to rock hisBreath of the Wildhairstyle.
Returning To Hateno Ancient Tech Lab Is Still Important
Players might be surprised to meet the likes of Purah and Robbie so soon at Lookout Landing as they usually appear much later duringBreath of the Wild. As part ofBreath of the Wild’sMain Quest, players will travel to the Ancient Tech Lab fairly early under the direction of Impa, with Purah restoring some of the Sheikah Slate’s key functions. ForTears of the Kingdom, the Hateno Research Lab requires a little more work to unlock, part of which actually helps introduce players toTotK’s new Depths. However, though the player does eventually gain access to the lab, Robbie is its only occupant.
It isn’t all for nothing though, as returning to Hateno Village and to its Ancient Tech Lab might take the player on a different journey it still gives just as important a reward. UnlikeBreath of the Wildgranting players the use of the Sheikah Slate’s camera,Tears of the Kingdominstead upgrades the Purah Padwith its very own Shrine Sensor, and by completing quests for Robbie, Link unlocks the Travel Medallion, Hero Path Mode, and Sensor+. Though the lab’s closure reflectsTears of the Kingdom’sshift away from Sheikah technology, it’s still just as important as it was inBreath of the Wild.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis available now on Nintendo Switch.
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