A New Adventure in Hyrule: Why 'Tears of the Kingdom' Is Worth Playing, Regardless of Your 'Breath of the Wild' Experience"

If you're planning to play "Tears of the Kingdom," the upcoming sequel to "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," you might be wondering if it's necessary to play the first game before diving into the new one. While playing "Breath of the Wild" will give you a deeper appreciation for the world and characters, it's not strictly necessary to play it before "Tears of the Kingdom." "Breath of the Wild" and "Tears of the Kingdom" will likely share many of the same mechanics, such as exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, but the storylines will be distinct. "Tears of the Kingdom" is a direct sequel to "Breath of the Wild," so it will continue the story of Link and Zelda in Hyrule. However, it's likely that the game will provide enough context for new players to understand what's going on, even if they haven't played the first game. That being said, playing "Breath of the Wild" is an excellent experience in its own right. It's widely regarded as one of the best games of all time and is a must-play for any Nintendo Switch owner. The game's open-world design, gorgeous art style, and engaging gameplay make it a joy to explore, and it's easy to sink dozens of hours into the game without even realizing it. In summary, while playing "Breath of the Wild" before "Tears of the Kingdom" is not strictly necessary, it's a highly recommended experience in its own right. However, if you're short on time or don't have access to the first game, you should still be able to enjoy "Tears of the Kingdom" without feeling lost or confused