Spoiler Warning:
The rest of this article contains significant spoilers for Tears of the Kingdom about the story, gameplay mechanics, etc. that you might not wish to see. Continue reading at your own risk.
After the Calamity, even in the midst of the Upheavel, life begins to return to a relative normality in the Tears of the Kingdom’s version of Hyrule. While the player explores the new overworld, they will find that the various villages and hamlets have begun to grow, and the citizens are less afraid to travel into the wilderness. Even after all of this change, however, our Hero of the Wild still can find a place to rest his head in his home in Hateno Village.
In Breath of the Wild, the player could engage in a lengthy sidequest in Hateno. By working with the Bolson Constuction crew, Link could exchange rupees and supplies for a renovated home. It is a long process, but in the end Link gets a new house, along with some neat weapon display racks, and perhaps most importantly, a cozy bed that offered rest without demanding a single rupee. Although this home doesn’t offer substantial mechanical advantages, it is nice for those players who like to role-play homeownership, myself included.
Fortunately, Link’s House is still standing in Tears of the Kingdom and has not been struck down by a falling rock. When walking through Hateno, the player likely notice all the changes to the town. There is more people, more shops, and giant, glowing mushrooms that light the town in the evening. But when returning home, Link returns to the familiar facade of his home, seemingly unchanged from the past game. But a surprise awaits inside. Gone is Link’s personal sanctuary (his “man cave,” if you will) replaced by a cozy, lived-in space that bears the unmistakable touch of Zelda. The once stylish weapon racks have been replaced with pictures and art, all of the open floor space that was originally used for activities and exercise is now crammed with a study and kitchen area. Link’s home has fallen victim to eminent domain–dare I say a “feminent” domain!
I jest, of course. Personally, I like what Zelda has done with the place. It adds a layer of depth to her character showing her preference for the simplicity and intimacy of this small home rather than the grand castle she could live in. It’s as if she’s making a statement, choosing love over luxury, opting to share this quaint living space with Link.
As I stated before, the outside pretty much looks exactly the same. The inside, however, has gone through several changes. The drawing room is small, but it seems Zelda has really maximized the space. It has a table for two in the center, decorated with plates and silverware, and a colorful flower vase as the center piece. On the left side is a kitchen area, replete with an array pans and ladles that hand over a food preparation table. A nearby pantry with bottles and containers of mysterious ingredients. On the right side is a study. It has giant bookshelf, strained by the weight of countless tomes and desk neatly arranged with spare parchment and a quill, sits poised for moments of inspiration.
Going upstairs we’ll find the bedroom, other than the addition of a few pictures, which looks pretty much the same from Breath of the Wild. However, there is a also a new desk with a journal on top. Reading it, you’ll discover it is actually Zelda’s diary. Normally, I am not one to snoop into other’s private writings… but she did throw out of all my old weapons displays. In her diary Zelda talks about the new school she is trying to start in Hateno and how difficult it is to find teachers; boring, personal stuff. However, in her diary she talks about a secret room that was installed in the house, one that apparently even has climate control. The mind races–where could this mysterious room be?
You may run around the house, looking for a button prompt to open some secret door or latch. Maybe if you pull one of the books off the shelf something will open? Looking inside, however, will prove pointless. You must venture outside for the answer. Running around the back of the house, Link will find some new additions that were not present in the last game. One, the back door that was for some reason locked in Breath of the Wild is now open. Inside this, however, is nothing more than a humble storage shed, devoid of any secrets. This couldn’t be the secret room Zelda was referring to. Next to the outdoor storage room is a well. Jumping inside this well will bring the Hero to a newly discovered cave, Zelda’s Secret Well, home to another one of Zelda’s diaries and a treasure chest. Opening the chest, Link is reunited with his old hair tie, equipping it allows the player to play with Link’s hairstyle from Breath of the Wild. The pages of this second diary detail where Zelda is hiding yet another valuable treasure, but I won’t spoil the surprise for you.
Rediscovering Link’s home might initially feel a bit disappointing when realizing it not technically “yours” anymore, however this is the feeling this game is trying to achieve. Tears of the Kingdom’s rendition of Hyrule showcases how much it has evolved since the Calamity. At a distance, Hyrule might look the same, but as players immerse themselves in this rich, evolving world they will discover the extra layers of exploration and intrigue this game has to offer. This is now Link and Zelda’s house, offering both narrative and gameplay elements from an old location. Link and Zelda’s house represents Tears of the Kingdom’s biggest strength: skillfully weaving together the old and the new to create a game that is both familiar and refreshingly innovative.
