Hyrule offers countless ways to test your curiosity-some players glide straight toward danger, others quietly craft, cook, and tinker for hours before lifting a sword. How do you shape your own adventure in Tears of the Kingdom?
You probably already know how you’re going to play through The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I certainly do; I’m going to take little bites out of each piece of the map, as if it’s a delectable dessert that I’m trying to make last (our review only reinforces my desire to take my time). Then, I’m going to double over my tracks to become proficient with weapon and item fusing, as well as the improved cooking system. Miss me with collecting Korok seeds, though, unless Nintendo has made them more compelling to seek out than in Breath of the Wild.
I’ve already talked with someone who plans to do the exact opposite; they intend to race through as quickly as possible so that they aren’t spoiled by the main story beats. I try to be respectful of other perspectives, but I want to let my brain marinade in Zonai juice for as long as I can.
I get it – some people aren’t afforded huge amounts of free time to play video games. Those people get a pass, but respectfully, it’s tough for me to accept that rushing through this game will still extract the same flavor, if you will, for those (ahem, The Verge’s Jay Peters) who plan to play it this way.
Best unguided exploration tips for Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom rewards unguided exploration through its open world, emphasizing player creativity with tools like Ultrahand and Fuse. Focus on organic discovery by prioritizing map markers, natural navigation cues, and experimentation over quests.
Surface Tips
Chase Blupees-they flee toward nearby cave entrances for quick hidden discoveries. Unlock Skyview Towers early to reveal map overviews without spoilers, then pin interesting spots like shrines from afar. Activate every visible shrine on sight for fast travel and rewards, even if unsolved.
Sky Islands
Scout small islands first for chests with armor or Zonai devices, using your scope while gliding. Build simple vehicles from scraps to hop between islands, testing Fuse combos like logs with fans. Avoid larger areas until geared up.
Depths Strategies
Stock Brightbloom Seeds from surface plants-throw or arrow-fuse them to light paths and landing zones. Ride dragons down chasms safely, mark Lightroots (they mirror surface shrines), and climb trees to dodge Gloom. Carry Sundelions for healing against gloom damage.
General Habits
Save manually often, upgrade stamina early for climbing, and explore regionally (e.g., surface then depths per zone) to avoid overload. Use cave icons on your map to track progress visually.
Best Zonai device builds for sky island traversal
Zonai devices shine for sky island traversal in Tears of the Kingdom by enabling creative, battery-efficient flying machines. The hoverbike stands out as a top unguided build for its simplicity and reliability across vast gaps.
Hoverbike
Attach two fans to the rear underside of a steering stick for instant lift-off and precise control. Add a small wheel upfront for stability if landing on uneven islands; it flies indefinitely with battery upgrades. Ideal for chaining small-to-medium sky islands without stamina drain.
Long-Range Glider
Combine one wing, two fans (front/rear), and a steering stick for controlled flights spanning multiple islands. Stack batteries inline for extended range, or fuse rockets for boosts over huge voids. Launch from ramps on high islands for maximum distance.
Speeder Variant
Fuse a steering stick with two small wheels and rear fans to hug island edges or climb sheer faces. Efficient for tight maneuvers around clustered sky obstacles; minimal battery use lets you explore freely. Great starter from early-game dispensers.
Quick Tips
Upgrade your energy cell at forge constructs on sky islands for longer flights. Save builds via Ultrahand for quick recreation, and scout dispensers near shrines for parts. Experiment with springs for vertical hops between close islands.
