As reported recently, hands-on impressions and gameplay for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available from various outlets. Though limited to the Sky Islands, with some sections off limits, Game Informer, GameSpot and IGN tried out the tools available to Link.
Ultrahand, a new Rune, can stick objects together to craft impressive vehicles. It’s unusable on creatures and bolted-down objects. However, one task involving a Korok trying to reunite with another on a different Sky Island allowed for picking up the former, due to grasping its large backpack.
As for the vehicles, you’ll craft some impressive contraptions using Zonai items (with the clan mentioned briefly in Breath of the Wild). Aside from fans and hot-air balloons, you can assemble bomber-like aircraft, attaching rockets to soar through the sky. Said rockets are also usable by Link on their own, giving him a boost up for a short time.
You can save various vehicle designs and assemble them instantly with available materials. Zonai items and components are also easy to come by, thanks to massive gumball-like machines which disperse many at a time.
Of course, this only scratches the surface of things to do. There are puzzles akin to Shrines but more seamlessly integrated into the open world, like returning a glowing stone to a marker. Circumnavigating the various gaps and a rotating sphere, you must complete the task using Recall, Ultrahand, and Fuse.
And if you’re worried about falling off the Sky Islands, you have the Travel Medallion. When placed somewhere, you can fast-travel to it at any time. It’s retrievable off the map at any time.
Though many sections ran smoothly, some footage showcases frame dips and occasional chugging, so keep that in mind. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is out on May 12th for Nintendo Switch. Stay tuned for more details en route.