Zeldaseries producer Eiji Aonuma has shared what he describes as the “key theme” forThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomand it’s an odd choice, to say the least. Thematically,The Legend of Zeldafranchise has been filled with adventure, hope, bravery, and many other inspiring overarching themes.The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomseems in line with its predecessors, in that regard. Yet those aren’t the themes Aonuma is referring to. Instead,Tears of the Kingdom’s key theme is “hands.”
Even without confirmation from Aonuma,Zeldafans have been well aware that hands play an important role inThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. More specifically, Link’s hand has obviously always been important. Even fromTears of the Kingdom’s earliest trailers, it was clear something strange had happened to Link’s arm. It had been transformed and imbued with a strange power. ANintendo-made statue of Link fromTears of the Kingdomeven showed Link using his arm like he was shooting magic from it.
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Apparently, hands play a much larger role inThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomthan was even previously apparent. In a Nintendo-published interview, Aonuma was asked about Link’s physical changes in the new game. Aonuma took the opportunity to talk about hands, which he states are a “key theme” bringing together gameplay, mechanics, and story in the new game.
Aonuma isn’t talking about “hands” as a key theme just as a visual or mechanical focus, though Link will clearly be using his new arm to solve puzzles and use abilities. “Hands” is also what Aonuma describes as a symbolic theme. Players will have to discover the specificswhen they playThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomthemselves, but they can expect it to crop up in the game’s story in intriguing ways.
It goes without saying that “hands” as a theme is quite odd. But as an idea, there are some interesting opportunities to explore inTears of the Kingdom. Link uses his hands to wield his sword and weapons, pick up food and items, and more. More metaphorically, the strength of Link’s hands are burdened with protecting Zelda and Hyrule. If it’s taken a step further, players use their hands to control Link. Thefate of Hyrule rests in the player’s hands.
The Legend of Zeldafranchise has never shirked away from odd design choices, of course.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildprominently featured a tablet, after all. Prior games have featured trains, talking hats, motion controls, and other ideas core to each gameplay experience. “Hands” may seem like a curious theme for now, butThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomdeserves a chance to show what that truly means.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomreleases May 12 on Switch.
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