The future of The Legend of Zelda can seem concerning to at present, with the franchise undergoing so many different changes. However, looking more broadly, this worry should arguably not be as strong as it has grown to be for some people. As such, instead of worrying about how Zelda may change, it is time to be more optimistic about what the future may bring.

At this point, there are many different paths that new trends have emerged in Zelda’s standard gameplay. No matter how successful a game may be, it is impossible to satisfy the tastes of every single individual equally. Nevertheless, this does not mean the next Zelda title should be dreaded.

BOTW & TOTK Aren’t For Everyone

The Open-World Titles Have Mechanics That Some Find Unappealing

As successful as they have proven to be, it is still fair to say that Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are not universally loved. As innovative as the mechanics are in these games, they still have their share of detractors. For example, TOTK’s extensive use of Ultrahand, while it can lead to some incredible creations being developed, may still seem like it detracts from the traditional Zelda formula. Another major point of contention can be the way that weapons have limited durability, to the point that even the Master Sword cannot be used indefinitely.

Although even some of the earliest Zelda games contain non-linear elements, BOTW and TOTK took this to new heights. Again, the reception of this can vary. Although it can be interesting to break the traditions of exploration in Zelda games, for some the extent to which these titles do so is still a step too far. And, with the incredible popularity of these titles as a whole, it is easy to surmise that this is the direction in which future games will continue to evolve; a depressing thought for those who dislike the approach.

Of course, it is not difficult to see why this fear may seem justified. Despite returning to a top-down perspective, and with a much more limited world than its immediate predecessors in the franchise, Echoes of Wisdom still bears many of these same hallmarks. The highly variable nature of Echoes and the experimentation they encourage evidently follow on from the free-form abilities of BOTW and TOTK. Even the change to Link’s traditional green clothing is referenced in the blue cloak both he and Zelda wear at various points in the latest title.

Zelda Has Always Been An Experimental Series

The Franchise Constantly Replaces The Signature Mechanics Of Past Titles

Innovation and experimentation have always been a large part of what makes each Legend of Zelda game uniquely entertaining. The franchise constantly introduces radical new gameplay features while still maintaining a core identity. Furthermore, it is far from unusual for some of these features to attract complaints about the perceived direction of the series. For example, The Wind Waker was extremely divisive for many people, with the new cel-shaded graphics attracting plenty of detractors. However, beyond the two sequels that followed it, this graphics style has notably not become a permanent aspect of the franchise.

In some respects, every new Legend of Zelda game breaks the status quo of the series in one way or another. Crucially, however, none of these drastic changes in direction for Zelda ever last for long. No matter what big change shakes up the series, after a game or two this major new feature (or other design aspect) will always be replaced with the next big idea. Naturally, the changes pioneered by BOTW and TOTK will be no exception in the long run; even as influential as they have proven so far, that franchise will eventually move on.

Most thematic trends in Zelda games only last for two or three titles, as demonstrated by the cel-shaded graphic style of The Wind Waker only being reused in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, alongside the concept of using specific vehicles to traverse the overworld.

Of course, it is also worth noting that some aspects of the games do go on to be more permanent parts of the franchise. However, given the dramatic change in gameplay demonstrated by Echoes of Wisdom, it is already clear that this will not be true for any of BOTW or TOTK’s more controversial elements. In fact, the most prominent feature that appears likely to remain a part of the franchise going forward is the Adventure Log and its associated side quests.

The Future Of Zelda Will Continue To Innovate

Every New Zelda Game Can Be A Fresh Start Rather Than Just A Continuation

Without innovation, it is difficult to see The Legend of Zelda ever having become as successful as it now is. As games have changed and developed in their own unique ways, so too has the franchise as a whole been shaped in both large and small ways. For example, the influence of A Link to the Past is not to be underestimated, having introduced now-essential aspects of the franchise like the Master Sword. This clearly demonstrates how it is good for the series to do more than simply repeat the template of past games.

It is inevitable that future innovations will have their own detractors, much like the gameplay of BOTW and TOTK. But at the end of the day, the same constant innovation that keeps the Zelda franchise fresh and interesting means that none of these elements are truly as permanent as they may appear on first glance. As a result, if the most recent games have not been to one’s liking, it is arguably more likely that the next game will be far more enjoyable rather than simply continuing the trend.

When examining the history of the franchise, it quickly becomes obvious that the future of The Legend of Zelda has never been as set in stone as some people may believe. Moreover, while some of the innovative changes made during this constant evolution may prove immensely significant, most will still be set aside after one or two titles. In fact, it is arguably the perfect time for a new paradigm shift for the games, meaning the next title could easily be entirely different from what has come before in recent years.