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 clocking approximately 35 hours in Tears of the Kingdom, I will gladly admit I am having the time of my life with this game. As anticipation for the Breath of the Wild sequel was hotly brewing this past spring, I grew a bit concerned that the new Zelda might end up being a simple add-on to an already amazing title when I was thirsting for completely brand new content. My approach to a first playthrough has been somewhat unorthodox, and I hope readers won’t judge me for disregarding the main story altogether in favor of unlocking the main sections of the map first. Doing so has allowed me to get a closer look at its characters and locations before heading into the dungeons.
This Hyrule looks a lot different from the one I remember. Due to a variety of strange natural disasters caused by a sudden earthquake or “upheaval”, Hyrule Castle has risen ominously into the sky and ruins are raining down at random (I haven’t gotten squished yet, but there’s still time). The sky and depths of Hyrule are now traversable and Link is equipped with a magical arm overflowing with a variety of new powers. It’s seriously cool, and the crafting and time warp possibilities are endless. Technology plays a huge role in both the plot and gameplay in Tears of the Kingdom, and as a result we encounter many products of the Zonai’s advanced civilization throughout the game. Some creations, such as the Steward Constructs, are still miraculously alive and functional.
These helpful robot-like creatures are the first NPCs we encounter in the Garden of Time after making our way out of the root covered cave on Great Sky Island. When I first encountered the Steward Construct, I was a little taken aback because I wasn’t really sure what I was looking at. Is it friend or foe? Experience has taught me that transforming creatures in the Legend of Zelda are cause for concern. However, these intelligent bots are just here to help and provide guidance as you navigate the strange new environment.
According to the ghost of Rauru, Constructs were invented by the Zonai to function as a kind of servant, and the Steward Construct (the friendly, non-hostile variety) were the first to be built. These creatures were so skilled that they surpassed their initial design and even began teaching the inhabitants of Great Sky Island advanced skills in combat, cooking, and harvesting resources.
The Steward Constructs possess a variety of unique specializations: we have Ranger Constructs (experts in hunting); Mining Constructs (harvesters of Zonaite); Forge Constructs (experts in processing Zonaite into Zonai Charges or Crystallized Charges); Smithing Constructs (processors of Zonaite into weapons and equipment); and of course, Culinary Constructs, the masters of cooking outdoors.
Steward Constructs are not only intelligent teachers, they are also diligent and extremely loyal, toiling away in their respective positions for thousands of years without the need for company or encouragement. Most Steward Constructs work alone, but they are eager to share their skills when approached. I felt their presence to be very appreciated as I navigated the uncertain terrain of Great Sky Island and I always listened carefully to each piece of advice they provided. The Constructs will give you all the tips and tricks you need to get started with Zonai devices and dispensers, and they even shrink down to a more travel-friendly size when you aren’t talking to them. They are dutiful caretakers of the island and obediently rise at the sound of the Temple of Time’s gong-like bell each morning. You can find Steward Constructs at a variety of locations surrounding the Sky Archipelagos and Crystal Refineries both in the Sky and Depths. They also host a variety of Mini-Games.
I’ve noticed many striking similarities between Tears of the Kingdom and other popular Japanese media, particularly animation. In discussing the Steward Constructs, I can’t help but call to mind the beloved (and terrifying) flying robots of Castle in the Sky. For those of you who have not seen the film, these robots functioned as protectors of the ancient people of Laputa, an ancient civilization who possessed advanced technology and secrets sought after by many. 700 years later, the floating island in the sky is now deserted and empty, but still inhabited by the many robots entrusted with its care. Although the Steward Constructs are somewhat forgettable in the larger context of Tears of the Kingdom’s plot, they are nevertheless proof of the indelible mark left by the Zonai. Their unwavering loyalty is admirable and they truly stand the test of time in much the same way as Laputa’s robots. We can rest assured that they will always be there to lend a helping hand (and a tutorial) to those who need it.
